Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-10-25
PLEADING FOR HIS SON.

! The Father of Hovey Asks the Gov
ernor to Save His Boy from the
ALBANY, Oct. 19.-''What is that
old man talking to Gov. Cleveland so
earnestly fOr" was asked IN the execu-
tive chamber early this morning.
He was pleading for the life of his
SON." was the reply.
Old Mr.. Hovey, with clasped hands
and care-worn face, was pleading with
the governor to commute the sentence
of Edward Hovey to imprisonment
for life. The old man was accompan-
led by Counsellor Knitting and the
Rev. DR.. Quilbert. He begged for his
sons life to save the family from
further disgrace. He told pathetically
the story of the death of the boys
mother from the shock Of his crime,
and feared that other evils would fol-
low
ut is true, said the governor, chat
these evils fall upon the innocent
when crime is committed.
Mr.. Knitting made an argument Of
considerable length on the evidence.
The Rev. DR.. Guilbert said he was the
prisoners spiritual adviser.
But it is no use advising him, gov
ernor," he said He still hopes that
you will pardon him. He does not
realize that he is to die and he is not
yet prepared"
''But, sir" said the governor, stern
~, 'it was your duty to admonish
him against hoping"
THE GOVERNOR DECLINES.
After some moments of deep thought
the governor turned to the poor old
man and said: Il am sorry for you
Personally I should like to respite
your son. But [ am commissioned by
the people Of the great state of New
York to execute the laws regardless of
my own personal preferences. Your
son, by his own confession, committed
q great crime. If [ am faithful to the
duties imposed upon me, he must
suffer the prescribed penalty. Please
do not impOrtune me farther, for |
must execute the law" There were
tears in the good governors eyes
while speaking and after the two had
withdrawn he bowed his head upen
his hands.
The father and the spiritual adviser
of the maynard son then took the
train for New York and repaired to
the cell to prepare for the horrible
gallows.
THE EXECUTION.
NEW YORK, Oct led. Hovey,
the slayer Of his sister-in-law, Mrs.
Fanny Vernigle, was hanged in the
Tombs prison, this morning. Not
withstanding the physicians treat
ment and efforts sof his spiritual adj
wiser, the murderer spent restless
night. Two deputy sheriffs kept CON
slant vigil. Hovey looked more dead
than alive when he aroee to dress
himself. When his breakfast was
brought to him, Hovey dragged his
chair toward the table upon which the
meal was placed and seated himself
in a chair with heavy sigh, he hest
tated, drew back from the table and
S aid he would eat nothing. Father
Dueranquet, Rev. Mr. Guilbert and
the deputy warden finally prevailed
on Hovey to sip his coffee. Soon
after arising he had been given dose
of yhalomel and he now wanted whis-
key. It was agreed he should have
some stimulant before being led out
to the gallows. Hovey had to be sup
ported while going from his cell to
the gallows He presented an awful
picture of despair and woe the moment
he was placed under it. His legs were
tied, the black cap drawn down and
the moose adjusted, and quicker than
it takes to tell it the rope was cut and
HOyey was HANGED