Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-18
O'D0NNELL EXECUTED.
HE MADE NO STATEMENT AND
SHOWED NO FEAR.


prison. At O'Clock this morning a hun-
dred workingmen passing by the Jail
waited to gaze at the black flag. Among
them was O'DonnelPs brother, who paced
to and fro opposite the flagstaff An the
most restless and detected manner, ex-
citing the sympathy of all present. The
hangman's arrangements were perfect,
and the execution occurred wffh0ut a
hitch, and O'Donnell was calm and col
lected.
HE MADE NO STATEMENT
on the scaffold. O'DOnnen was netified
at 80 O'Clock to make ready. ae was
perfectly resigned. He expressed great
sorrow for his outburst of temper in the
dock at the conclusion of his trial. He
said that he had felt the greatest animosi-
ty for the witnesses who appeared against
him, but that had now disappeared, After
the communion had been administered to
the condemned man, Binns, the hangman,,
entered the cell. O'D0nnell submitted to
the operation of piniOning with a smile
and without murmur. The procession
then moved toward the scaffold.
O'DoNNELL WALKED WITH GREAT FIRM
NESS,
and without the assistance of the
wardens, who stood close around him.
He was perfectly calm and self-pOssessed.
While standing on the drop he looked
around unconcernedly. Binns performed
the remainder or his duty quickly. He
allowed drop of 8 feet.
THE MOOSE
was placed exactly as 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 O'Clock it numbered
10000 persons at the least The streets
were closely packed, but the throng OBJ
served quiet and orderly demeanor. The
irish element was not conspicuous in the
gathering. AS the moment for the exc
cution approached the crowd swayed up
against the prison wall, and the road
way, which before had been kept
clear, was blocked. The police,
however, moved rapidly through
the multitude and easily cleared the way
When the black flag was hoisted an
nouncing the end of the tragedy there
was no demonstration, although sup
pressed excitement marked many faces.
o'DONNELL'S BROTHER
remained to the last, bitterly weeping,
and was the centre of a sympathizing
group. The clouds began to break as the
hour of s approached, and when the black
played against the rising sun. The peo-
pie Immediately dispersed after the hoist
ing of the flag.
THE BROTHERS. HEAVY HEART,
During the final preparations for the
execution ODonnell's brother took up his
place in doorway opposite the prison in
full view of the flagstaff, upon which his
eyes were riveted. He was the object of
the deepest interest and curiosity. The
crowd pressed so closely upon him that
the police had to interfere for his protec-
tion. When the black flag was hoisted he
removed his hat and remained for some
time, apparently praying, his features
working painfully. He stayed in the same
spot tor some time after the execution.
To people who fingered around him he
said in a hoarse voice: "My poor brother!
he has died as bravely as man ever died."
This was received with cries of ''Yes."
lie then departed and the crowd dis
persed.
THE DOOMED MANS LAST HOURS.
O'Donnell, it seems, retired to rest at
an early hour last evening. This MORN
ing he rose early. Father Fleming ar
rived about O'Clock, and administered
the sacrament of the holy communion.
At O'Clock O'Donnell partook of a good
breakfast. A few minutes before s O'Clock
he was removed from his cell to the large
room of the prison. In the large room
were Binns, the hangman, the Sheriff and
Under Sheriffs, the Governor of the Jail,
Rev. Dufield, the prison chaplain, and
the NeWgate surgeon. The process of
piniOning the prisoners limbs was quickly
performed by Binns, O'Donnell keeping a
resolute silence and showing the utmost
firmness, occasionally smiling in a half
abstracted manner. This work done, the
procession moved on to the court yard,
where
THE sCAFFoLD
was erected. O'DOnnell declined any
assistance from the wardens in ascending
the steps of the scaffold. Father Fleming,
who was by his side, repeated the service
of the church for the dying and held the
crucltlX before O'DOnnelPs 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 appeared to be very calm and
quietly fitted the moose over the neck of
his victim, and carefully placing the knot
under ODOnnel's left ear. he at once
stepped back and pulled the fatal lever,
and ODonnell fell eight feet. The rope
hardly quivered.
According to the surgeon,
DEATH WAS INSTANTANEOUS,
ment of the hanging form. AS the black
flag was run up those within the prison
could hear hushed murmurs from the
multitude outside the walls. The body
hung for one hour, when it was cut down
and removed for the proper legal inquest.
THE DEAD BODY.
The usual inquest showed that the face
of ODonnell bore calm expression. The
head was quite loose from the trunk of
the body. The rope made a deep inden-
tality. The usual verdict was rendered.
Binns, the hangman, was good humoredly
mobbed by a crowd when he left New
gate prison. He afterwards drove away
in government postal van to escape
observation.
NO AVENGERS ON THE STEAMER.
The Press Association denies the report
published by the Central News yesterday
that the police had received information
that body of Invincibles had sailed from
New York in the steamer Assyrian
Monarch to either attempt the rescue of
O'Donnell or avenge his death, and AYERS
that the search of that steamer to-day
was only in accordance with the regular
practice of the police upon the arrival of
any steamer.
THE PRISONERS FAMILY AFFAIRS.
The Local News Agency states that at
the farewell visit of O'DonnelPs brother
to him Saturday the two men conversed
for half an hour. O'Donnell gave his
brother full instructions with regard to
private matters. They spoke in irish to
prevent the wardens from understanding
them. O'DOnnell felt comfOrted because
the uneXpended American fund which
was subscribed for his defense will be
divided among his wife and other rela-
tiOns. He said that he died for Ireland.
and would die like brave man O1DOn-
nelPs brother was desirous of burying
O'DonnelP s.body in consecrated ground
and was Mortified to learn that the re-
mains must be inferred in the prison
yard.
LAST EFFORTS TO FIND THE JURYMEN.
The friends of O'Donnell continued their
efforts to obtain meeting of the iurymen
who convicted him until late Saturday
night, when eight of them had been found
1t was impossible to trace the other four
and the friends of the condemned man
were compelled to abandon the search.
Five of the jurymen were anxious to have
a meeting of the jury.
SEVEN INvINCIBLEs ON TRIAL.
CORK, Dec. 17.-At the Assizes to-day
the trial of the seven Invincibles who are
charged with having been connected with
the murder conspiracy in County MAYO
was begun. The Attorney General stated
that 1t would be proved by witnesses for
the Crown that the Land League had SUBJ
scribed fund for the murder of certain
persons.
Andrew Coleman, the principal witness
for the prosecution, testified to the exist
ence OF branch of the Fenian Brother
hood in County Mayo. He said that he
had been giving information to the police
while assisting the men now on trial; that