The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-22
THE w HEN
LEGALLY HANGED.
Fitting Termination Of q Life of Depravity-
Execution Of Lyons for the Murder of Quinn.

New YORK, Aug. 2l.-Dan Lyons, the mur
derer of Quinn. the athlete, expiated his crime.
this morning, upon the scaffold, In the Tomts
last night upon earth in perfectly cool, calm,
collected way. In fact, his state OF mind did
not change from that OF the last month. His
indifference to the awful fate before him was
not oravado, neither was it religious enthusi-
asm. 1t vas due to the fact that be either did
not or could not realize his position. 1t was
only at o'clock last night that he insisted on
going into the yard to examine the gallows.
While there be entered the little box containing
the weight that was to jerk him into eternity.
With critical eye he examined the rope that
held tho weight Of 425 pounds. He coolly re-
marked: THAT won't be heavy enough to hang
mo-" The deputy sherifs could hardly believe
their ears. Experienced men as they were, they
bad never met criminal like this. They asked
him to repeat the words, and upon his doing SO
could not answer. Early in the evening the
faithful Father Selinas called. Lyons confessed
aud was given absolution. Then the priest en-
tered adjoining cell and remained there until
4 A. M, when he left Lyons ate lunch Of
lobster-salad and fruit, after which be took Q
bath and retired, requesting to be called at 4
o'clock this morning. His rest was as peaceful
as that Of innocent babe. Not once did be
murmur or move. He was called at 4 o'clock.
and arose Father Pendergast arrived about
o'clock with Father Selinaa After performing
his ablutions Lyons received the priests. Then
procession was formed to the little chapel over
the female prison The deputy warden came
first, then Deputy Sheriff Burke and Father Sell
mas The doomed man walked next folowe by
Father Pendorgast and Deputy Sheriff Layery.
After the services they returned TO the cell.
This is the fortieth time that Deputy Warden
Finley has gone through the ceremony. Lyons
was unconcerned, usual. At "A. N. the
sheriff, through his deputy, McGonegal, took
possession OF the Tombs. The priests went with
Lyons to his cell aud prayed with him. After
prayer the condemned man took cup OF coffee
and walked about the Elm-street side Of the
prison yard furthest removed from the gsllows
He Was laughing and joking with the deputies
who attended him At 6:35 A. NJ. hangman At
kinson and his assistants arrived. At o'clock
the procession to the ealows WAS formed, and
at 7:l5 A. NJ the drop fell. From the time the
rope was cut until hs was pronounced dead, at
7l9 o'clock, there was but one convulsive move
ment OF the body. Twenty minutes later the
body was cut down and placed in q coffin bear
ing the inscription. Daniel Lyons. died Aug
II. 1888. aged 26 years. aud taken to an under
takers, TO rest until this afternoon when it will
De buried In Calvary cemetery.
The crime for which Lyons was executed was
the murder Of Joseph F. Quinn, on July s. 1887.
Quinn was about twenty five years old, clerk
in the Coffee Exchange, a prominent member of
the Pastime Athletic Club. and an all-around
athlete. Lyons was known q thief. and had
served time in the penitentiary and State prison
The two young men lived near each other and
were acquainted but we're never associates On
May 80, 1887, quarrel about q young woman
arose between them at q picnic. On July T. fol-
lowing. they met IN the street, the quarrel was
renewed. and Quinn beat Lyons. blackine his
eyes and cutting his face. The next day Lyons
borrowed a revolver and several persons heard
him threaten to do Quinn. In the evening
Lyons met Quinn at Second avenue and Thirty
| eighs street, few angry words passed, and then
| Lyons drew his revolver and shot Quinn in the
| groin, iufhcting wound from which he died
| within two hours. Although several people wit
| messed the shooting apd the police we're almost
| Immediately on the spot Lyons escaped from
| the city and fled TO Philadelphia and then to
| Pittsburg. Thence he went to Chicago, but re-
| turned 10 Pittsburg. At McKeesport he COM
mitted burglary and was arrested for the theft
| while trying to pawn some OF the stolen goods.
While in jail. two weeks after the murder, he
| was identified as the man for whom the New
| York police were looking. He was brought TO
this city, speedily tried and convicted of murder
| in the first degree. aud sentenced by Recorder
| Smythe to be hanged on Nov 27, 1887 An sp-
| peal carried stay. but on Feb. IA last the con-
| vIction and sentence were affirmed aud be was
again sentenced TO be hanged, this time on FRI
! day last Gov Hill gave him four more days of
| lite by changing the date of execution by q re-
| spite to to-day. throughout Lyons insisted that
| the shooting of Quinn done in sef-defense
| and that Quinn was about to stab him with O
| fan dagger. When first arrested Lyons dis
| played considerable bravado. but be soon dropped
this assumption. though he maintained much
| cooness and courage to the last For some time
past he had given close attention to the religious
admonitons of the priests and sisters who visited
him in the Tombs. and seemed to have become q
| fervent Christian.