National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-29
EXECUTION OLE NAnpELlo.

Kissing His Guards Fareweli-He Con-
fesses to Three Murders, But Main
tnlns His Innocence.
There was n smaller attendance at the
execution Of Antonio Nardello yesterday
than has marked former haugings. Warden
Crocker issued only fifty passes, aud his
order to llow no one In wlthouta permit,
while not strictly carried out, materially
reduced the usual crowd within. A great
many people stood In front Of the jail, and
large crowds were seen upon the hills near
by. Nardello arose from bed about $50
o'clock and began his preparations for the
day. lie ate a hearty breakfast at o'clock
Of eggs, coffee, bread, and butter At 0
o'clock Fathers Ryan and Devine entered
his cell. Religious services were held, dur
ing which the murderer partook OF the
communion.
After the services Attorney Fields, Col.
Mancossis, and an Italian were admitted
into Nardello's cell to bid him good-by.
At I O'Clock the final preparations were
made. The crowd present saw Deputy
Warden Russ approach the door leading
into the corridor, and line was imme-
diately formed. A report ran through the
crowd that Nardello had weakened. lie
uttered loud cry after the death warrant
had been read TO him, but regained com
posure as the last sacrament Of the church
was administered to him. The turning
Of the key in the corridor door was the
signal to the crowd that the death march
had begun. Silence reigned and all heads
were uncovered. In the march fret came
Deputy Warden Russ and Guard Strong
next was Nardello, Fathers Ryan and De,
vine, reciting the litany for the dying,
Guards Jones and Torrens bringing up In the
rear. Nardello was pale but firm as he walked
toward the scafIold. His large eyes were
raised toward heaven and his lips moved In
prayer. Being placed on the drop his legs
were pinioned. After repeating the pray
ers he addressed the assembluge through
Father Ryan rs follows: "AntOnio Mar
dello who Is about to appear before God,
is an inn oCent man. Pasquale Abendante
killed Rotuuno, and / am going to dic for
him. am innocent OF the crime charged
against me-" The priests then held up the
crucCx and Nardello looked at 1t and then
kesCd II. lie turned his body slightly and
kissed the priests and Guard Torreus. The
moose was then adjusted aud the black cap
was drawn over his fuce. At the signal
| for the drop to fall, Nardello was launched
| into eternity with the word "GoOd-by''
coming from his lips. The drop was sprung
| at 1884. Immediately there was some con.
| traction Of the muscles, and his heart beat.
some time after the fall. Life was pro
nounced extinct IN 15l minutes and In 81
! minutes the body WAS lowered into the
coffin. Ills neck was not broken by the
fail. After the body was put In the coffin
| the priests read the burial services. Tue
| remains were then taken to Mount Olvet
| Cemetery for luterment. Nardello left II
| note to Capt. Torrens asking him TO thanh;
all the jail officials aud officers for the
| kindness shown him.
Nardello during his Imprisonment told
| different stories OF his crime A day or so
| ago, however, lie admitted to friend that
he killed Rotunno for the purpose OF rob.
| berry and only got $50. He had no accom-.
| plices. In regard TO the murder of Antonio
| Balbo, at North East Cecil county, Mary.
land, Nardello said that on December 10
| 1894, he invited Balbo to take walk with
him In the country, aud when they had
gone mile or two from Balbo's house,
| Nardello shot him In the side and he fell
| dead. Nardelo then took BalbO's watch
and left. He left North East shortly after.
ward and went to Baltimore where he sold
| the watch for so.
In regard to the murder Of n blacksmith
| in Baltimore Nardello yesterday morning
stated that the blacksmith was killed with
| knife, two of the men going to the door
| and calling the victim out. He gave April
| 1854, as the time of the murder. He vlr.
tually admitted that he was present, and
by stating he had killed these men admitted
this murder Some of his friends stated
that this affair happened on the Gunpow.
der river, and was the result of fight be-
tween two rival gangs of laborers. The
names Of the parties in the Baltimore case
he gave as Domincio Juliano, Mateo ia.
liano, and Antonio Morella, who, with
Antonio olio, boarded with Mateo, and the
victim was an Italian known as "Black.
smith" Mateo Juliano, he said, was an
innocent man. Mateo was sent 10 the peni
tentiary for ten years, and the others go
| nfI with ihrpa vpiira zach