The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-13
Associated Press Report.

NEW ORLEANS, March 12.-Ford aud
Murphy were hanged at 1881 to-day.
Al l2 80 m. service was held in the
chapel by members OF ST. Vincent de
PAM Society. AT 2 o'clock the men
became unusually calm, so much 30
that they seemed hardly to realize the
TACT that fearful doom was awaiting
them. At 9 80 m. Ford said he was
tired, and he and Murphy went to
their cells, accompanied by deputy
aheriffs and reporters. They entered
the cells, bsde all good night, and
we're left alone, The men appeared
70 be sleeping soundly at 7;20 an,
when efforts to arouse them revealed
their condition. They were lying on
their backs. Ford was breathing
very loudly, while Murphy appeared
&c be sleeping calmly.
Efforts TO arouse Ford were unavail-
ing, but Murphy was aroused, and
when asked how he felt, replied, VERY
bad" A tremor passed over him
and he again sank into unconscious
ness. Two pieces OF paper were found
In the cell which had evidently con-
tanned belladonna. In view OF the
fact that the men had attempted sui
eide, the Rev. Father 0'Callahan, In
accordance with the rules OF the Cath
Ollie Church, refused to administer the
last sacrament to them. The prepare.
tons for the hanging began at 2:0S
PIN, when the yard and corridors
we're cleared OF prisoners.
Both men were lying in their cots.
Murphy was in the same semi-con-
snious state, and although his eyes
wandered in all directions he could
moi understand what was going on.
Only once did he return to his senses,
and then he held out his hand to
Ford and eDdeavored to shake hands
With him. This was only for an in
Stgut for he once more lost conscious
ness, Notwithstanding the fact that
me emetics administered TO him
aaused him to vomit the poison,
which was Of a greenish hue. At
2:35 the arms and legs OF the men
we're pinioned, while they were still
IN a recumhent position. six wit
oesses were sworn in by Sheriff But
laI, and the death warrant was read
TO the seuseless men. They were car
red 10 the scaffold at l2;45 o'clock
Pm
Finding that the men were unable
10 ST.; in their chars, the ropes were
enlightened somewhat in order "a
1es0t them ashley lay in half recum-
heui poeiUon on the pallowB, The
ran lsst night caused the ropes ia
stretch, so that when the drop fell
MUgphy's feet touched the pavement
aud Ford's feet almost touched il. II
ou.y took few minutes for the execu
uoner, ROBBED in his black domino aud
w.re mask, TO adjust the rope and
hsck cap before he returned TO his
cell, followed almost instantly by q
sharp "swiss" OF the AK rs II GU
the rope. Then the bodies OF John
Murphy and Pat Ford shot through
the 81 10 come up with sudden jerk
The drop wes about eight feet. The
bodies were allowed to hang twenty
ave minutes and were cut down q
lsl5 pm,
The same jury which Witnessed th'
heng az viewed the bodies, and Assist
ari Coroner Jones gave verdict o
ios;t by hanging, which dislocate,
the neck Of both men. The bodice
wi DC taken charge of by the ForC
iSm.,y Sheriff Butler, in an inter
Wow stated that he had taken ever.
ore suiion TO avoid what had hap
peneG. He bad taken precautions nc
only against the admission of poison
hcN also against any attempt at rescue
When the last death warrant was re
naive5 he did, without giving the Cou
deUred any reason for the act, re
moved everything from their eel
Tbs vss done for fear that poison G
acme other means OF taking life nigh
no secgeted there, de also refused
allow any cigars oy other luxuTies I
&c sent Ia them by persons outsid,
BE said r rigid investigation woul
be made as 70 how the poison VS.
conveyed 20 the men,