Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-25
RED NOSED MIKE.
He Is Hanged for Murder at Wilkesbarre
Pa, To-day.

WnKEsBARRE, Pa, June 25.-"Red Nosed
Mike" was hanged at 10 o'clock. There was
nothing of sensational nature in connection
with the execution
Red-Nose Mike spent quiet night He re-
tired about O'Clock, after two hours spent in
prayer. He knelt before lighted candle and
a crucifix. At 5 o'clock the condemned man
spent another hour in prayer.
He began to dress for the last time. He wore
dark suit white shirt and low-cut shoes At
o'clock Father O'Haran, his spiritual ad-
wiser, arrived. Both men knelt in prayer for
repentant, and was apparently resigned to his
fate. His breakfast consisted of ham and eggs
and coffee, of which he ate sparingly
At O'Clock Father OsHaran and the
prisoner again kneit in the prayer. At
10 O'Clock the procession from the criminals
cell to the gallows started. The prisoner was
preceded by Father O'Haran and Father
Phillip, an Italian missionary priest. The con-
demned man carried lighted candle in his
hand and appeared cool. When the party
reached the scaffold they knelt in prayer. Just
before the black cap was put over
his head the italian priest kissed the
prisoner on both cheeks. Riseio then
turned and kissed Father O'Haran's hand. Joe
Atkinson, the New York hangman, cut the rope
at 1917, and at 11:12 the body was cut down
Death was caused by strangulation. The body
OF the murderer was taken to the Catholic
cemetery for burial The prisoner was drawer
than any one expected, as he was q coward at
heart, but probably the religious excitement
kept him up.
THE STORY OF HIS CRIME.
The crime for which Michael Rizello, alias
Red Nosed Mike, to-day paid the death-penaity
was committed in the forenoon of October 70,
| 1888. j. Brainard Mcclure paymaster for
Contractor Charles McFadden, was accom-
panied by Hugh Flanagan the stable boss.
and was driving from Wiikesbarre TO the rail,
road camp above Miners Mills, with s12, 600,
| intended to pay of the workmen on the com.
pleted job. Michael Rizello, Guisseppi Bevi-
reno and yinceno Vellalh lay in wait on the
lonely mountain road, expecting the arrival of
Mcclure and Flanagan. On their approach
| Rizello stepped out and fred three shots into
Flanagan. either shot doing deadly work. The
| frightened horse started to run away, and pro-
ceeded some little distance, when Bevireno.
with a rifle, shot Mcclure in the back twice,
| killing him instantly. The horse con-
tinued its fight until vallalli, who was
ambushed further up the road, stepped out and
shot 1t through the brain. The other Italians
then arrived on the spot, cut loose the valise
containing the money, and fed through the
| forest TO Mikes cabin, three miles away, where
! the money and guns were concealed. Although
Mike and his companions were suspected and
arrested, they were discharged, and soon after
left left, the , city going to PoushhseEse, taking
weeks later Mikes companion took passage on
a steamer for Italy, Pinkerton's men permit
ting them to leave with the money un-
molested, though Mike was still kept
under surveillance: Later evidence was
ened Mike into full confession on Janu-
AIRY ), 1859. On February Mike was brought
to trial and after four days Of dramatic excite
ment in court he was found guilty. Though
| entirely without money or friends he was ably
defended by leading members Of the Luxerne