The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-13
CARRIED TO THE SCAFFOLD.
Shocking Circumstances Attending the
Hanging of Ford and Murphy.
The Condemned Men Take Poison During the
Night, and Both Are Executed While
in On Unconscious Condition.

NEW ORLEANS, March IA Baton Rouge
| special says the Governor this morning received
a telegram from Sheriff Butler, of Orleans par
| ish, saying: sFord and Murphy attempted sui
eide this morning by swallowing poison. They
| are in a stupor and IN a comatose condition
The doctor believes the attempt failure, but
cannot say how long it may take to restore them
to consciousness Should they not revive before
| the hour fixed, shall execute the warrants not
withstandng2" The Governor replied: Eyes;
| 60 on with the execution. Carry out the war
rants"
At 1890 A M. service was held in the chapel
by members Of the st. Vincent and st. Paul
Society. At o'clock the men became unusually
calm, so much so that they seemed hardly to
realize the fact that fearful doom was await
| ing them. At 2.30 A. M Ford said he was tired.
and he and Murphy went to their cells, accom-
panied by deputy sheriffs and reporters. They
entered the cells, babe all good night, and were
left alone. The men appeared to be sleeping
soundly
At 1870 A. NJ, when the efforts made to arouse
them revealed their condition, they were lying
on their backs Ford was breathing very loud
ly, while Murphy appeared to be sleeping calmly.
Efforts to arouse Ford were unavailing, but
Murphy was aroused, and when asked how he
felt replied, every bad" tremor passed over
him, and he again sank into inconsistencies.
Two pieces of paper were found in the CELL
which had evidently contained belladonna. In
view of the fact that the men had attempted
suicide, Rev. Father O'Callahan, in accordance
with the rules of the Catholis Church, refused
to administer the last sacrament to them.
The preparations for hanging began at 1908
P. M, when the yard and corridors were cleared
of prisoners. Both men were lying on their
cots. Murphy was in the same semi conscious
state, and, although his eyes wandered in all di
rection, he could not understand what was going
on. Only once did he come to his senses, and
then he held out his hand to Ford and en-
deavored to shake hands with him. This was
only for an instant for he once more lost con-
seriousness, notwithstanding the fact that the
emetics administered to him caused him to vomit
the poison. which was of greenish hue
AT 1895 the arms and legs of the men were
pinioned while they were still in recumbent po-
sitions Six witnesses were sworn, and the death
warrant read to the senseless men.
1245 p NJ Finding that the men were
unable to sit in the chairs, the ropes were
heightened somewhat in order to reach them as
they lay in half recumbent position on the
gallows. The rain last night caused the rope to
stretch, so that when the drop fell, Murphy's
feet touched the pavement and Ford's feet al
most touched it. 1t only took a few minutes for
the executoner, robed in his black domino and
wire mask to adjust the rope and black cap be-
fore he returned to his cell. followed almost in
stantly by sharp swish of the as it cut the
rope. Then the bodies of John Murphy and
Pat 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 1l5 P. NJ. The
same jury which witnessed the hanging viewed
the bodies, and the assistant coroner gave a YER
dict of death by hanging, which dislocated the
necks of both men, The bodies will be taken
charge of by the Ford family.
Sheriff Butler, in an interview, stated that he
had taken every precaution to avoid what had
happened. He had taken precautions not only
against the admission of poison but also against
any attempt at rescue. When the last death
warrant was received he had, without giving the
condemned any reason for the act removed
everything from their CELL This was done for
fear that poison, or some other means OF taking
life, might be secreted there. He also refused
to allow any cigars or other luxpries to be sent
to them by persons outside. He said rigid III
vestigation would be made as to how the poison
was conveyed to the men.
Ford's wife and Murphy's sweetheart were in
the Jail previous to the execution, but they
kept ignorant ofsthe mems condition. In
Fords vest pocket was found the following
letter.
NEW ORLEANS, March 11.-At night.
To the good Sisters of Mercy, and all my religious
frends-I cannot bear the terrible disgrace bring
my innocent offspring. don't deserve this trouble.
Ny enemies have triumphed this time. Baker and
Cunningham, leave you my to the balance my
blessing. l have been respondent to-day. l. will
answer all to my God. Good friends and "Minos,
DIR. Holland and G. Fl. Parker. It'll your turn next.
So dear sisters forgive me- we'll as all Goodbye.
p. III. FORD.