Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-22
I'd EDITION.
Latest qGlGglanS 10 Tle Star.
BROTHERS DIE TOGETHER.
Tim and Pete Barrett Hanged on the
Testimony Of q Third Brother.

Tim and Pete Barrett Hanged on the
Testimony of Third Brother.
MINNEAPOLIS, MIMI, March 22.-Tim and
Pete Barrett were hanged here to-day at 1114
a. m. for the murder Of Car Driver Tollefsen
on the night of July 26, 1887.
On that night there was an extensive fire in
the business portion of Minneapolis. The
street cars on several lines were delayed in
consequence. At IL: 80 a. m. the last car on the
Cedar avenue line reached the turn-table in
the suburbs and started on the return trip.
The car was a "bob-tail," in charge OF
Driver Thomas Tollefsen. When the car
got opposite Layman's cemetery three men
stepped out from the darkness, halted
the car and demanded that the cash-box be
handed over to them. Tollefsen, true to his
trust refused to give up the box. One OF the
men then fired at Tollefsen, the ball striking
him in the leg. Still he chung to his cash,bo1
Another shot and the brave driver fell dead.
The murderers seized the cash-box, which con-
tanned go, and fed.
On the 18th of November Henry, alias
freddy" Barrett, who had been serving out
sentence in the county Jail for illegal liquor
that he had said to the jailor that he believed
he knew who committed the Tollefsen murder
and if the jailor would speak to Assistant
County Attorney Jameson about the
matter he would tell what he knew. The
next day Freddy made a confession. He said
that he, with his brothers, Tim and Pete, agreed
to rob the street car. Pete fired the first shot
and then ran, followed by Henry. In a moment
they heard a second shot. They were soon re-
jained by Tim. who had the cash box under his
arm. Tim told his brothers that
HE HAD KILLED To1LEFsEN.
Through Reddy's confession an unbreakable
chain of evidence was secured. Pete was ar
rested in Omaha. Tim was already under ar
rest on a charge of highway robbery. The two
boys were indicted by the grand jury, and on
Monday, December 6, the trial of Tim began
The principal witness for the prosecution was
"Reddy" Barrett, who swore that Tim fired the
shot which killed Tollefsen. The trial of Tim
lasted fifteen days and was one of the
hardest contested cases ever tried in
Minnesota. Tim was convicted and
the county attorney offered to accept plea of
guilty of manslaughter in the second degree
from Pete Barrett, but the offer was refused.
Pete Barrett was to be sacrificed to save his
brother Tim. If Pete could be acquitted new
trial could be secured for Tim. That was the
plan of the defense. The trial of Pete Barrett
began January 80 and lasted until February 10.
The case was fought with desperate eloquence
and daring strategy, but in vain. He was found
guilty. Tim and Pete were
SENTENCED TO BE HANGED.
The governor fixed July IL as the date for the
execution. The supreme court granted stay
of proceedings until last fall. The battle that
had been fought and lost on the question of
fact was now renewed on questions of law. The
most elaborate briefs were prepared, but the
supreme court ended by affirming the decision
of the lower court, and the governor fixed
March % for the date of the execution. Every
foot of ground from the beginning was con-
tested with the most desperate energy, but
slowly and surely the letters of the law began
to tighten around the doomed men. There
was a desperate
ATTEMPT TO BREAK JAIL.
That too failed. Then petitions were circu-
lated, but again to no purpose. Various ladies
interested themselves in behalf of Pete, the
youngest brother. The governors life was
threatened in case he refused to commute the
sentence of Pete. who was only eighteen years
of age. The mother of the boys is possessed
Of considerable property. Her efforts were,
however put forth entirely in behalf of Pete
Reddy, who swore his brothers lives away, is
living in Chicago. Of this once prosperous
family, son, Frank Barrett: daughters Mary
Coleman. and the mother. of whom Henry Bar
rett said: ''She is the cause of all the trouble
that has come to the boys" are all that remain.
SCENES BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
Almost at dawn this morning knots of men
began to gather about the Jail, and it soon be-
came necessary to bar the way to the
rear entrance with great wooden tim
7:30 partook of light breakfast. Fathers Nc
Golrick and Cobett. the spiritual advisers of
the condemned men. soon entered their cells
remaining with them to the last. About 10
o'clock Mrs. Barrett went to the sheriffs
office and created a scene. She was taken away
in a cab. At IL o'clock there were 5000 people
gathered about the building. At IL O2 the march
to the scaffOld began. Father McGolrick led
the way. The boys in response to the
prayers of the priests, cried Lord have mercy
on my soul" The boys walked up the scaffold
stairs unassistod. Father Henry McGOlrick
stood by the side OF Pete and Father
Corbett with Tim. while Father JAS McGol-
rick repeated the litany. The arms and legs
of the boys were securely strapped while the
words of the priests filed the room. The
black cap was drawn over Tins face
first, and Sheriff Eye adjusted the moose The
sheriff then went over to Pete. He placed
the moose over his head but removed it to
readjust it. Then it was replaced, and the
cap drawn down. Neither of the bows
weakened. though both were pale and CHASTITY
eyed. The drops fell at 11:l4. The body of
Tim fell like a log. There was a noticeable
twitching about Pete's body, but it was only
momentary.
sheriff Eye himself touched the lever that
moved the fatal drop. The necks of the bows
were broken. The silent forms were left sway
ing to and fro and the crowd filed slowly into
the free air outside.