The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-22
DAN LYONS HANGED.
The Murderer pies Game-Tho History oi
his Crime,

his Crime.
New YoRK, August 2l.-Daniel Lyon
was hanged this morning in the yard Q
the Tombs prison, for the murder o
Joseph Quinn, July 5, 1887. The droI
fell precisely at 7:l5 O'Clock. Lyon
passed his last night on earth in u per
fectly cool, calm and collected manner
His Indifference to the fate that awaited
him was not bravado. AT ? o'clock last
night he critically examined the gal
lows and remarked to the Sheriff that
the weight was not sufficient to hang
him.
Early in the evening his faithful at
tendant, Father Gellinas, called. Lyons
confessed and was given absolution.
Then the Priest entered the adjoining
cell and remained there until o'clock
this morning.
After Il supper OF lobster and fruit
Lyons took bath and retired, request
ing TO be called at o'clock. He slept
quietly throughout the night, and at 4
o'clock was called and arose. At 5
o'clock Fathers Pendergast and Gallinas
arrived and were received by Lyons, and
a procession formed to the prison chapel.
After services the little party aled-baek,
to the condemned mans cell. Lyons
was us unconcerned as usual.
At IS o'clock Deputy Sheriff McGarigal
took possession OF the tOmbs. Lyons
then took a walk in the prison yard,
laughing and joking with the two depu-
ties who accompanied him.
At 6:35 Hangman Joe Atkinson and
his assistants arrived, and shortly after
them Sheriff Grant and his deputies.
In the pinioning room, while the exc
cutioner was occurring the prisoners
arms, the latter joked and laughed and
requested Atkinson not to hurt him.
The procession was then formed, the
two priests meantime repeating the
burial service Of the Roman Catholic
church.
On the gallows, Lyons stood without a
trcmor, although his lips were pale. The
priests were praying, while Lyons re-
peated the words after them. Father
Gellinas pressed the crucitiX TO the con-
demned mans lips, who exclaimed.
"Lord, have mercy on mel"
Atkinson then pulled the black cap
over Lyons face, the priests stepped
back, the executiOner at signal from
the sheriff severed the rope, and Dan
Lyons body was swung in the air. His
convulsive struggles for moment were
pitiful to witness, but very soon life was
extinct.
After hanging forfully lytwenty minutes
the body was cut down, placed in u coffin
and taken to an undertakcr's on First
avenue, from whence the funeral will
take place this afternoon. The only
persons present at the execution were a
few newspaper men, the sheriff, his dep.
uties and physicians.
STORY OF TIE MURDER.
The crime for which Lyons to-day
paid the death penalty was the murder
OF Joseph J. Quinn, on the evening of
July 3, 1887. Lyons shot Quinn in the
while engaged in conversation
on the corner OF Thirty-oighth street and
Second avenue. The shooting grew out
OF quarrel that Lyons had with letter
carrier. named Aleehan overa girl named
Kate Cassidy. Alta picnic held on May
80 Lyons resented the attentions that
Meehan showed thegirl. In the quarrel
that followed Quinn took MeehNn's part
and wanted Lyons to apologize, but
Lyons refused.
On the evening OF July 4 the quarrel
was renewed, fresh insults being cX-
changed on both sides, and Quinn as
saulted Lyons in brutal manner.
Atthe trial, three girls who were ia
miliar with both the men, testified that
they heard Lyons threaten that night,
after he had been heaten by Quinn, to
"get even" the next night, and ono OF
them testified that Lyons swore he
would "puta ball in Quinn" the next
day. William NIeehan also testified to
Lyons having made threats against
Quinn.
On the Fourth of July Lyons bor-
roWed pistol md laid in wait for
Quinn, shooting him tie next evening.
LYONS was captured about three weeks
after the murder in Pittsburgh.
At the trial the jury found him guilty
after being out three.quarters OF IN hour.
Recorder Smythe sentenced him to be
hanged on November %, 1887, but the
case was appealed, On February II the
Court OF Appeals decided against him,
and last month Lyons was fGsentenCed
to be hanged on Friday last. Governor
Hill granted Il stay, however, until to-
day.