The Portland daily press., 1883-12-18
O'DONNELLS EXECUTION.
How the Prisoner Passed His Lnss
Hours-The Execution.

LONDON, Dec. IT, -O'Donnen retired to rest at an
early hour last evening. This morning he rose
promptly and took good breakfast shortly after
O'Clock. At 8 o'clock Father Fleming arrived. He
received the prisoners last communication and ad-
ministered to him the holy sacrament. A few
minutes before o'clock the prisoner was removed
from his cell to the large room of the prison. He
was escorted by the warders from his CELL In the
large room were stationed Binns, the hangman, the
sherifs and undersheris, the governor of the jail
and Rev. Mr.. Dufield, the prison chaplain and New
gate surgeon. The process of pinioning the prison
er's limbs was quickly performed by Binns, O'Don-
nell keeping resolute silence and showing the ut
most tirmness, occasionally smiling in a half alb
stTacted manner. This work done, the procession
moved to the court yard where the scatfold was
erected. O'Donnell declined any assistance from
the warders in ascending the steps of the scaffold
Father Fleming by his side repeated the service of
the church for the dying and held crueifx before
0DonnelPs gaze. The prisoner took his place on
the drop under the rope, the slack of which was
held up over his head by piece of thread. Binns
quickly fitted the around the neck Of the con-
demDed man. and performed the remainder of his
duty quickly. He allowed drop of eight feet. The
moose was placed exactly as Marwood used to place
it, Binns pulled the lever of the trap precisely
as the neghboring church clocks were striking
eight.
A cordng to the surgeon, death was instantane-
Gus, there being scarcely any muscular movement.
The body hung for one hour, when it was cut down
and renamed for the proper legal inquest.
The usual legal inquest was held upon the body
OF O'Donnell His head was quite loose from the
trunk OF the body. The rope made deep indenta-
ton. The usual verdict was rendered.
The crowd in front of Newgate numbered at least
1000 pc sons, but the throng observed quiet and
spicuous n the gathering. As the moment for ex-
ecution approached, the crowd swayed up against
the prison wall and the road way which before had
been kept clear, was blockaded. The police howev-
er, moved rapidly through the multitude and easily
cleared the way. When the black flag was hoisted
announcing the final act of the tragedy, there was
no de emonstration although suppressed excitement
marked many faces.
The clouds bega to break as the hour of eight
approached and when the black flag was run up, it
was distinctly displayed against the rising sun. The
people Immediately dispersed.
ODonnelfs brother occupied door way opposite
the prison in view Of the flag staff upon which his
eyes were riveted He was an object of the deepest
interest and curiosity The crowd pressed SO close
ly upon him hat the police had interfere for his
protection. When the black flag was hosted he re-
moved his hat and remained for some moments ap-
parently praying, his features working painfully.
execution. TO the people who fingered around him.
he said in hoarse voice, 'My poor brother, he has
died as brayely as an ever died" This was
ceived with cries of "Yes." He then departed and
the crowd dispersed.
NEW YORK, Dec 1.-THE hanging of O'Donnel
was the universal topic of conversation in Irish
circles this morning. Some said they would not be-
lieve that even England would refuse 10 grant a
respite until they heard of his execution as an ac-
compished fact, while others have been satisfied
for several days that the extreme penalty would be
carried out. Stephen j. Meany said that mutter-
ings were abroad of reprisal which he had reason
to believe would be undertaken if the opportunity
occurred. How, when or by whom the steps would
be made he could not tell, for he did not know No
regular nationalstic society would be the agent he
was positive. Personally Meany would deprecate
any retaliation the part of Ireland for she had
neither money nor material to successfully combat
Engl4nd's great power and as to any individual at
teupts to injure England he opposed to them,
because all history has told US that such attempts
had been attended with only horror and defeat