New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-03-24
Murderers Hanged In an Unconscious
State.

State.
New Orleans dispatch: Friday morning
the 18th inst when the keepers made ef-
forts to arouse Patrick II. Ford and John
Murphy, the condemned murderers, they
could not wake them up. After examina-
ton by physicians, they concluded that
the men had taken belladonna. The gov.
ernor received telegram from Sheriff
Butler OF Orleans parish, saying:
Ford and Murphy attempted suicide this
morning by swallowing poison. They are
in a comatose condition. The doctors be-
lieve the attempt a failure, but cannot say
how long it will take to restore them to
consciousness. Should they not revive be-
fore the hour fixed, shall execute the war
rants Notwithstanding?
the executions. Carry out the warrants"
In view OF the fact that the condemned had
attempted suicide, Rev. Father o. Callahan,
in accordance with the rules OF the Ca tholic
church, refused to administer thelas sacra-
ment to them.
At 1890 the arms and legs OF the men
were pinioned, while they were still in re.
cumbent position. Six witnesses were
sworn in by Sheriff Butler, and the death
warrant was read to the senseless men :.
They were carried to tho scaffold.
W
able to sit in chairs, the ropes were length.
ened somewhat in order to reach tn EN- as
they lay in a half-recumbent positi on on
the gallows. The rain last nj ht caused the
ropes to stretch, so that when the rope fell
the mems feet touched the pavement. It
only took few minutes for the executioner,
robed in his black domino and wire mask,
to adjust the rope and black cap be-
fore he returned to his cell, fol.
lowed almost instantly by sharp swish"
OF the axe as it cut the ropes. Then
the bodies OF Murphy and Ford shot
through the air-to come up with sudden
jerk. The drop was about eight feet. The
bodies were allowed to hang twenty-five
minutes and were cut down at 1:15 In
Ford 8 vest pocket was found the following
letter:
New Orleans, March Hat Night.-To
the good Sisters OF Mercy and all my relig-
1ous friends: I cannot bear the terrible dis
grace I bring on my innocent offspring. I
don't deserve this terrible ending My en-
emies have triumphed this time. Baker
and Cunningham, leave you my curse; to
the balance my blessing. have been de-
spondent to-day. I will answer all to my
God. Good friends Dr.. Holland and c. II.
Parker: tits your turn next. Dear Sisters,
forgive me. Goodbye. P. H. FoRD.
Capt. Murphy, the murdered man, was
for many years prominent and notorious
figure in New Orleans politics.
The Chicago Cottage organ factory is de-
stroyed by fire, throwing two hundred men
out OF employment. Loss, 500, 900; in
surance, $4,000.
II. NJ. Benjamin and Herman Nunne-
macher have purchased the Aschennan
mine from George Wakefield of Oshkosh,
and it issaid paid SIS, 900 for the property.
Eight hundred American Hosiery COM
pany men strike in New Britain, Conn.
It is reported from Lime Rock that Hon.
w. III. Barnum, chairman of the Demo-
cratic national committee, is in dying
condition. His disease is an affection OF
the kidneys.
Bradstreet's reports 211 failures during
the week, against 227 for the preceding
week.
No speedy settlement of the strike on the
Gould system is looked for.
The value OF the Astor estates has in
creased SIS, 900, 900 this year, due mainly
to the advance in New York city houses.
The United States grand jury at New
York failed to indict Warner and Work for
fraud in connection with the Marine bank.