New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-14
BIRCHALDS LAST DAY ON EARTH
THE MURDERER CHEERFUL IN THE SHADOW
OF THE GALLONS
HE WANTS HIS EXECUTORS TO BE PRESENT ~
THE HAyGaNC-srUBBoRyLY REFUSING
TO CONFESS HIS GUILT.
rsr TELEGRAPH TO THE rkIBuxE.I

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TkIBCNLl
woodstock, ont Now 13.-Evcrythins Is ready n
the old Woodstock jail for the hanging OF j. isesasA
Birchall for the murder Of Frederick C. Bcnwcll N
February last The hangman arrived at the JAIL from
Toronto at IL O'Clock this morning and in a shosS
time the gallows was erected. In all probability
BirchaI will be hanged at O'Clock tomorrow morn
Ing or as soon as possible after that Tine This after
noon the haneman tested the rope with the big $50
pound iron weight and found everything In working
order. The day has been stirring for the village
and the hotels all crowded with newspaper 70
porers who still coming In every tran.
Birchall, the condemned murderer still ma!ntans Tie
cheerful and careless demeanor that las been
Characteristic OF the since his arrest and mprson'
ment To Judge from his actions one can only fe'i
that he Is fearless OF death and there is not the slightest
chance OF his making confession that Inc Is guilty OK
the murder for which he will tomorrow morning pay
tho penalty with e His personal vanity is too great
and his regard for the feelings Of his wife and her lS
tves In England well his regard for the feelings OK
his English relations of whom he has many In Rather
prominent positions and who, II Is stated believe nm
to be innocent, will doubt deter him from making
clean breast Of the affair." Brcha has been repeatedly
urged by the Jail officials to make full confession Of
his doings ON February II last. but lie refuses TO
say anything the subject except that he sim
asserts that he did not actually do the shooting.
Yesterday afternoon the Sheriff ordered that Birch
all's cell be changed and the order was carried out
This to avoid any possibility Of his having poison
secreted in his CELL but there is not much danger.
judging from Bircalrs arrangements, that he will take
| his own life. He expressed strong desire that
| Turnkey Forbes and Mr.. Leetham, his executors,
| should attend the hanging He prabably desires 70
have them present to help him in nerving himself up
| for the ordeal Everybody now thinks he Will die
cO0lly.
At last Blrchall has turned his mind to religion.
Mr.. Wade his spiritual adviser, said this evening Il
| urilI Dircba all
him in prayer most OF the time. ! am pleased 10 say
that after hard struggle have succeeded In nlhilng
him Christian Oh, yes he aci 'ery nicely snVaid
me now'
| Birchall arose about IL O'Clock this morning, ana
dressed himself carefully, as usual lie was
| feeling cheerful, and said: "Well, suppose
this is my last day earth, so must make the besS
of it, lie partook of a hearty breakfast, which con-
sisted of oyster soup toast ham and eggs, ETC. Dur
ing the afternoon he had his clothes packed In large
! trunk anc put in charge OF Dir. Lectham lie smoker
five cigars this afternoon. He remarked to-day '"as
he didn't know any easier death than hanging avn
while exolling this system OF getting rid q mnruefe
| and other criminals advanced the argument tnat
was painless and that he would never Rh9" "ns'
killed him. lie has ;s p TSa 70 here IN nan his suit
for libel against The Globe that he naa SsSn and au
he not e s nas to Do
spent much time addressng Different sana articles sue" "'
Mrs. Birchan spent several hours with her doomed
| husband last night. aoi.oa
IL is learned That the Attorney General has cecided
not 10 allow Birchals body 10 be handea over 10 Ihs
wife and that it will be buried n the iaysrit H.. aud
| Brchal was always particular In ms dress @,g
when masQuerdng about here as Loru somelss,.
was always neat and tidy as 4 he had lus. ecreS
from a handbook This characteristic he VIII carry WIN
him to his grave. Yesterday he gave his wife ii,s
articles he rsgred and ss Wanted Mef ne snne
shirt open in 'front.' with rundown collar, fpr me
to n''' be 'ei lad in town that would answer the
nurpose so Mr. Huggart kindly secured one elsewhere
This viii be worn only during the hanging After the
body is cut the flannel shirt VIII be removed ans
fine white linen one substituted. Birchall also sent
for pair Of black cashmere socks and fashionabe
standup collar and tie. After the hanging the nan;
mel sht M yalnelesS Holding II MP in the
corridor to-day he remarked iokipgy TO one OF the
| officers: You should cal in an aGctoneer
tomorrow and SEQ what M. will bring The
| reporters will make the bidding rather brisk
Brcha laughed heartily at this and all the afternoon
kent his attendants in the best Of spirits by his JOKES
The news that she could not have her husbands body
| was a sad blow TO Mrs. Brcha. She wanted % havS
The BODY cmbalmed, and intended TO take 1t 70 Eng
| land for burial. g., ,..,, ,s, q,
her husband in his cell In the Jail The parting Q!
the two affecting scene Mrs west.Johes anu
Mr. Leethah accompanied Mrs. birchali 10 'he 'au'