Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-18
FOREIGN NEWS.
osDoNNELL,s LAST MOMENTS.
Al Innense Crowd Gathered 1t the
Closing scene-O'Donaell Cain
and Collected.

O'Dounell was notified 1t 7.30 this morn
ing to make ready. He was perfectly re-
signed and expressed grea. sorrow for his
outburys of temper in the dock ~ the concius-
ion of his trial. He said he had felt the great
est luminosity for the Witnesses who appeared
against him, but that it had nov disappeared.
After communion had been administered to
the condemned man, Binns, the hangman.
entered the cell.
O. Donpell submitted to the operation OF
pinioning with q smile and without muir
muir The procession then moved toward the
scaffold. O'Donnell walked with great firm
ness without the assistance of the wardens
who stood around him, He was perfectly
calm and self-possessed while standing on
the drop. He looked around unconcernedly.
Binns performed the remainder of his duty
quickly. He allowed . drop of eight feet
The moose was placed exactly ~ Marwood
used to place it. Binns pulled the lever OF
the trap precisely as the neighboring church
clocks were striking eight.
The crowd in front of Newgate increased
rapidly. and shortly before eight o'clock it
numbered 1000 persons at least. The streets
were closely packed, but the crewd observed
a quiet and orderly demeanor. The Irish
element was not conspicuous in the gather.
ing.
As the moment for the execution approached
the crowd swayed up against the prison wall,
and the roadway, which before had been kept
clear. was blocked. The police, however,
moved rapidly through the multitude and
cleared the way. When the black flag was
hoisted, announcing the final act OF the trag-
edy, there was no demonstration, although
suppressed excitement marked many faces.
O'Donnelrs brother remained to the last, bit
terly weeping, in the centre of a sympathiz-
ing group.
Clouds began to break as the hour of eight
approached and when the black flag was run
up it was distinctly displayed against the ris-
ing son. The people then Immediately dis
persed.
O'DonnelPs brother occupied doorway
opposite the prison in view of the fsg staff
upon which his eyes were riveted. He was
an object of the deepest interest and curiOs.
ity. The crowd pressed so closely upon him
that the police had to interfere for his protec.
ton. When the black flag was hoisted he
removed his hat and remained for some min.
utes praying, his features. VIC rking apparently
painfully. He stayed on the same spot fol
some time after the execution. To the peo'
pie who fingered around him he said in 8
hoarse voice, "My poor brother. He has
died as bravely as a man ever died" This
was received with cries of Eyes" He Their
departed ana the crown us peTeeU
O'Donnell retired to rest at an early houl
last evening. This morning he arose ant
took a good breakfast shortly after Owe
o'clock. At six o'clock Father Fleming ar
rived. He then received the prisoners las
communication and administered to him tn,
HOLY Sacrament. A few minutes betOr,
eight o'clock the prisoner was removed from
his cell to a large room of the prison. HI
was escorted by wardens from his cell. Ii
the large room were stationed Binns, tn
hangman, the sheriff and under-sherif, ths
governor of the Jail, Rev. DIR. Duffield, the
prison chaplain, and the Newgate surgeon
The process of pinioning his limbs was quick
ly performed by Binns, O'Donnell keeping
resolute silence and showing the utmost firm
ness, occasionally smiling in half abstracte,
way. This work done, the procession move'
to the court yard where the scaffold wa
erected. O'Donnell declined any assistance
from the wardens in ascending the steps o
the scaffold. Father Fleming BY his side re
peated the service of the church for the dyin
and held the crucifx before O'Donnell
i gaze. The prisoner took his place on tn,
drop under the rope, the slack OF which wa
held up over his head by a piece Of thread
| Binns quickly fitted the moose around tn
neck of the condemned man.
According to the surgeon, death was in
Simultaneous. there being scarcely any muscu
lar movement The body hung for one hou
| when it was cut down and remained for tn
| proper legal inquest.
The usual legal inquest was held upon til
body of O'Donnell. His face bore a cain
expression. His head was quite loose On tn
trunk of the body. The rope made dee
indentation. The usual verdict was rem
| dered.
Binns, the hangman, was good humordl
mobbed by the crowd when he left Newgat
| prison after executing O'Donnell. He after
ward drove away in u government postallia
to escape observ alton.