The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-08
CLEVELAND AS A HANGMAN.
A Couple Of Interesting Chapters Omit
ted from a Candidates Biography.
The Hanging Of Patrick MOrrissey and John
Gafney by the Democratic Candidate
for the Presidency.
The Execution Of Patrick HIOrrissey.

Ine Execution OF Patrick nhOrr1sSey
Buffalo Commercials Advertiser, Sept, s, 1872.
For the first time in over six years the exec
utive officer Of this county has been called upon
to carry out the sentence of the law in the in
Fiction of the death penalty. On the 9th OF
january, 1866, Charles Darlington was hanged
in the jail-yard for having murdered Policeman
George Dell; and to-day Patrick Morrissey suf-
fered death from the same scaffold, for having
taken the life of the mother who bore him.
THE GALLONS.
AS before stated the galIows was the same as
that used for the execution of Darlington and
Kierchner, and was erected in the same place,
viz. against the northerly or Batavia street wall
Of the Jail yard The mode of execution was
somewhat different, however.s Instead of cutting
a rope to let the drop fall an arrangement has
been made by which it was simply necessary for
the sheriff to press an iron lever which drew out
an iron pin upon which one side of the trap rest
ed, causing the latter to drop. The position oc
cupied by the sheriff was such that he had no
view Of the prisoner.
The erection Of the gallows and the covering
Of the jail yard with canvas was completed dur
ing the afternoon.
DURING THE NIGHT.
During the night the prisoner read the Bible
and prayed continuing his devotions until
o'clock in the morning. at which time he lay
down and went to sleep He slept soundly until
about o'clock, when he arose and dressed him
self carefully.
THIS MORNING.
AT o'clock this morning the prisoner was re-
moved to one of the debtors rooms where he was
shortly afrerward visited by two of the Sisters of
Charity and the Rev. Father Malloy, by whom
the rite of holy communion was administered.
After this he returned to his cell, where he par
took of his breakfast as usual
At 8 o'clock he returned to his room upstairs,
where he was visited by his three sisters The
scene Is reported by those who witnessed it to
be most heartrending one.
THE CROWD.
As early as 9.o'clock this morning crowd
commenced assembling about the court and
jail on Clinton, Batavia and Washington streets,
and in the court house yard Among the gath
ering Of those who were anxious to catch a
glimpse of something @anything- connected with
the dreadful acted going forward, were several
females.
About 10 o'clock, however, police force Of
twenty five men, under command of Captain
frankie, sent by superintendent Byrne, ar
rived on the spot and quickly scattered the
would-be sightseers.
LEAvE-TAKING.
AT half past 8 o'clock the three sisters Of the
prisoner took their final leave Of him The
three females wept most bitterly and their
wailings were such as to be heard even as far
as the streets, All present were sensibly af
fected, and, in fact, the scene. was one which the
most callous could not look upon unmoved
THE COFFIN
Was provided by relations of Morrissev, and was
taken to the Jail in the morning and placed in
room at the left hand of the entrance. 1t was
beautiful one, of black walnut and silver plated.
On the lid was a silver plate and shield. On
the shield vas q cross, and on the plate the in
scription: