Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-10
HEMP ENDS A CAREER OF CRIME
John McManus Hanged in
Philadelphia.
Had Killed HIS Third Man Before the
Laws Extreme Penalty Was Meteu Out
10 Him--Drinls and Jealousy Cost Him
His Life.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 3.-John Nc
Manus was hanged in the corridor of
Moyamensing prison this morning The
crop fell at 1000 o'clock.
The crime for which John McManus
was hanged to-day was the fatal shoot
Ing on the night Of February 2lst last Of
Eugene Maginnis. The execution of
the extreme sentence Of the law upon
McManus to-day terminates life that
has been marked throughout its course
by violent deeds. McAIanus was born
In this city 40 years ago. In early life
he shot and killed sailor in this city,
for which crime he served five years in
the penitentiary. MeManus as he grew
older took an active part in politics and
proved himself on number of occa-
sions an exceedingly useful man to the
leaders of his ward.
His next appearance in the dock was
for the fatal shooting in 1879 of man
named Barney Reilly, at Democratic
mnss-meeting. For this crime he was
acquitted for lack Of evidence. Since
then brawls, fights and assaults have
been common incidents of his career.
For some time prior to the committal
of the crime for which he was hanged,
McManus lived with notorious woman
named Amanda Cross. On the night of
the murder, McManus, the woman
Gross and Maginnis had been drinking
together. Liquor was McManus' bane
through life and seemed to bring all his
evil passions to the surface. As the
party drank together McManus accused
.Maginnis of trying to ALLEVIATE the af-
'fections OF the woman from him.
A quarrel took place between the two
men and Maginnis left the house.
McManus followed him and shot him
twice. Maginnis died Of his wounds
and McManus was tried and convicted
of his murder. When found guilty
McManus broke out into Il terrible TRADE
against the district-attorney and it was
impossible to sentence him at the time,
owing to his violent behavior. Suisse
quently McManus was sentenced to be
hanged on August 10th last, but an APP
peal was taken to the supreme court.
The supreme court affirmed the sentence
of the lower court and the board of par
dons having refused to interfere
McManus to-day answered to the law
for the murder Of Maginnis.
INV. D.--Jollll NlfM1IillS,
who was hanged here this morning, died
In IL minutes from strangulaton. Nc.
Manus up till yesterday declined to listen
to the ministrations Of the priest who Wis
tied him, but last night he relented and
made his last confession.
During the night he slept but little
This morning he ate some toast and drank
q cup of tea for his breakfast. About IL
O'Clock the sheriffs jury, few spectators
and the newspaper representatives, were
marshaled into line in the office Of the
prison superintendent and at 1904 the
march for the gallows was taken up.
McManus led the little procession q
priest being upon either side of him. lie
walked steady and mounted the dozen
steps to the gallows with firm tread
After his hands had been shackled. Ne.
Manus spoke briefly asking the forgive.
ness OF heaven and forgave those who had
ever injured him and asking forgiveness,
Of those he had injured. When he ceased
the black cap was drawn over his face, the
signal given, and MoManus dropped five
feet to death.
The knot of the rope slipped from be
hind his ear as the man fell and he slowly
strangled to death. Despite the failure IL
break McManus' neck, there was but few
witches of his form. He died in ~ min
utes and was cut down after hanging y
nainutes.