Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-18
YOUNG SWIFT HANGED.
lie Slept Well Last Night and Was
Composed to the Last.

HARTFORD, COM, April lS.-John II. Swift,
the murderer who paid the penalty of his crime
on the scafold to-day, maintained a cool and
unconcerned demeanor. In response TO a query
by reporter, who called upon him at an early
hour this morning, Swift said he was feeling
very WELL IN fact he never felt better in his
life. His mother and sister took an affection
ate farewell of him last night. They left the
lali about 10 O'Clock. From that hour until
midnight the convicted mans time was .em-
ployed IN consultation with his spiritual ad-
wiser, the Rev. Father Corcoran. swift re-
tired shortly after midnight and slept interrupt
edlyand peacefullyuntil long after daylight Soon
after o'clock Father Corcoran. accompanied
by another priest, returned 20 the Jail The
last rites were administered TO the condemned
and shortly afterward he sat down 10 break
fast. He ate heartily.
Permission to witness the execution was re-
stricted TO the representatives Of the press and
officers of the law.
THE FINAL SCENE
The gallows stood not over one hundred feet
from the condemned mans cell. where two cler-
gymen were administering the last consultations
OF religion. On the gallery were about fifty
representatives of the press, while in the corri-
dor were gathered duputies and other specta-
tors. At lO:l5 the little procession left the cell.
1t was headed by the sheriff. Then came the
man DtlNeCn the TWO priests, Wlll0
four deputies followed. Swift looked quite pale
put walked firmly. When on the scaffold the
priests offered prayer. The prisoners legs were
then pinloned. and at l0:lS the black cap was
slipped over his head and the drop instantly
fell. There was no rebound of the body, but IL
fell like a dead weight TO the extreme length OF
the rope. The legs were spasmodcally drawn
up three times.and there was a slight twitching
OF the hands and then the body hung motion.
less.
THE STORY OF HIS CRIME.
Swift was married when only nineteen wears
old to woman two years older than he. but
his idle and dissipated habits soon forced his
wife TO leave him. On July Z. 1857. while i'm a
saloon where be had been employed as a liano-
player, he expressed an intention of killing his
wife and displayed a revolver A few hours
later he met her returning from the shop
whore she worked, asked her to live with him
and, upon her refusing and turning to
run away, fred the fatal shot She lived only
long enough 10 make brief ante-mortem
statement.
Swift tried in the superior court found
guilty OF murder in the first degree and sem
tenced to be hanged April 5, 1889 The case
was carried TO the supreme court on appeal
Tins court by unanimous vote of the Judges
confirmed the sentence of the lower court.
Swift then petitioned the legislature for a COM
mutation to imprisonment for life resolution
making the communication passed both branches
but was vetoed by Governor Bulkeley, who
reprieyed Swift for two weeks The senate
passed the resolution over the veto. but the
house sustained the veto. Since that time
Intellectual efforts have been made 10 pass a
resolution referring the matter to the board OF
pardons.
earnestly with the legislature in behalf Of her
brother