The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-19
JOHN H. SWIFT EXECUTED.
Every Effort to Save Rim Proved Fruit
less--His Crime.

Every huort TO save sim Proved Fruit
less--His Crime.
HARTFoRD, Conn, April 6.--John II.
Swift, q years old, was executed at 1910
o'clock this morning for tho murder OF
his wife. lie kept up good courage and
in yesponse to inquiries this morning re-
marking that he felt "lirst rate" His
mother and sister bade him goodbye at
10 o'clock last evening. Father Corcoran
was with him from that time until mid
night From then until after daylight hc
was alone with the deputies and appa-
rcntly slept peacefully most of the time.
Father Corcoran and another priest re-
turned to tho Jail soon after Z o'clock. at
which time Swift had his breakfast Of
steak, coffee. etc, OF which he ate heartily.
The gallows stand at the south end OF the
main corridor within the Jail in front Of u
block Of cells, the prisoners in which have
been placed in other quarters. Thirteen
policemen are on duty Oh extra guard, but
everything was very quiet and their ser.
vices were not needed. The execution
took place inside the Jail. II could moi
be seen from any outside point and there
was therefore no motive for the gathering
OF a crowd. Permission 10 witness In,
execution was mainly restricted 10 repre-
scntatiyes OF the press aud officers OF the
law
At 1915 o'clock the little procession lei
the cell. II was headed by tho Sheriff,
Then came the condemned man between
the two priests, while four deputies brought
up the rear swift looked quite pale, but
walked firmly. Whom on the scstiold the
priests offered prayer. The prisoners legs
wcrc then pinioncd, and at 1918 o'clock
the black cap was slipped over his head
and the drop instantly fell. There was no
rebound Of the body, but Il fell like dead
weight TO the extreme length Of tho rope.
| The legs were spasmodically drawn up
| three times and there was n slight twitch-
ing Of the hands, aud then the body hung
motionlcss.
Swift was married when only nineteer
years old to a wOmun two years older thar
he, but his idle and dissipaied habits soor
forced the wife 10 leave him. On July Z
1887, while in u saloon where lac had bcet
| employed as piano player, he expressed
/ WI AAAA'hANll VI hANAAAAk WIZ AtAA haa
PLAYED revolver. A few hours later Il,
met her returning from the shop wher
she worked, asked her 20 liy,
with him, and upon her refusing and turn
ing To run away, fired the fatal shot. sh,
lived only long enough To made n bric
ante moricm statement. Swift was uic
In the Superior Court, found guilt
! oi murder In the first degtc
and sentenced 10 DO hanged Apl
o, .lSsD The case was carrie
TO the supreme Court on appeal. Th
court, by unanimous vote OF The judge
confirmed the sentence oi the lower couri
swift then pclitioncd the Legislature for
commutation TO imprisonment for life.
resolution making the commuiation passc
both branches, but was vetoed by Cover
nor Bulkclcy, who rcpricycd Swift for tw,
weeks. The Senate passed the resolution
over the veto. but the House sustained th
veto. Since that time Intellectual effort
have been made 10 pass a resolution refer
ring the matter TO the Board Of Pardon'
The sister Of the condemned man ha
laborcd earnestly with the Legislature
behalf oi her brother.