The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-04-03
Both Hung.
THB IIcELYs MEET THEIR FATE
Protesting Their Innocence Of
the Crime Of Which They
We're Convicted.
Joe Causes a Sensation by Ac-
knOwledslng THAT He
Slammed Insanity.
4 BRIEF HISTORY OR THEIR CRINR.
Their Two Escapes from Jail and tie
Efforts Made for ThIn-ssceus AAtI.,s
Incidents of the Execution.

soMERsET, Pa, April 2.-The Nicely
brothers, Joseph and David, were
hanged at LAS O'Clock this afternoon
They both died game and protesting
their innocence. Death resulted from
strangulation. The bodies were cul
down nineteen minutes after the trap
was sprung.
The sensation Of the morning was the
practical acknowledgment by Joe Nicely
that he had all along bsen feigning in.
sanity. Late last night General CoGroth
received telegram from Harrisburg,
that the Governor had positively refused
to interfere with the execution of the
law. This news was conveyed to Dave
Nicely. Joe was not told OF It, because
he was asleep. However, 1t is supposed
he heard itshortly after he arose, at 9 80
this morning. He looked about the cell
in a bewildered way and then said to the
death watch: "What day Is this?"
He was informed that it was April 2,
and the day on which he was to be
hanged.
"Ihen the Governor has not inter.
fered% he asked.
When answered in the negative he did
not change much, but asked that min
lister be sent for, as he wanted to be
baptized. In the meantime lie requested
to be shaved.
David Nicely this morning, made a
statement TO Rev. Mr.. Granger, which
the latter reiuses to say anything about.
When asked about 1t this morning he
said: "Whatever statement have !
could not give out at present." When
asked directly: "Did Dave Nicely make
a confession Of guilt2" he said: 81 can.
not answer the question for personal
reasons"
There was an affecting scene in the
jail at II o'clock this morning. Joe
seemed to have completely given up. He
sent for the Sheriff and told him II he
had been the cause Of any trouble he
wanted him to forgive him. Said Joe:
II tried to escape, and made several at.
tempts. l am sorry injured any one,
but tmy life was dear TO me, and l thought
/ could save it'll would do So" He then
sent for the deputy sheriffs and all per.
sons connected with the jail, and asked
to be forgiven. The tears were rolling
down his cheeks all morning, but they
seemed to be more from remorse thrn
fear.
One Of the officials asked him why he
had feigued insanity so long. Joe re-
piled: at was to save both my brother
and myself. I worked it as long as
could, and as it had no effect on the
Governor / wanted to prepare for death
to-day"
Joe seemed somewhat pleased to think
that he had fooled 80 many doctors,
Quite number OF them examined him,
and they all pronounced him insane.
He seemed particularly happy because
he had fooled Dr.. Orth, who had been
sent here from Harrisburg TO make re-
port.
Dave Nicely, who has been doing all
the talking for both the boys heretofore,
had littleto say. He seemed to think
that his brother was wrong in feigning
insanity. Dave almost completely broke
down this morning. In speaking TO his
spiritual adviser he said: "[ always
thought that there would be aome inter
ference. never expected to die on the
scaffold. In fact did not give up hope
until this morning. Had l known be.
fore what I know now the hangman
would not have had me for victim. /
had many q chance to take my own lie,
but would not do 30 because l clung to
the hope that something would be done
for me. The evidence in the case was
not enough TO convict me, and ! was
certain the Governor would not allow
the verdict TO be carried out"
At noon both Joe and Dave Nicely
made statements. They were to their
attorneys, and Joe's statement, which
he requested to be written, was as fol.
lows:
"Nearly all the evidence against us
was perjury. l was unjustly convicted.
God knows l am innocent. am glad
that God in His wisdom returned to me
my reason that I might declare on the
scaifold, II necessary, that | Gm innocent
OF the murder Of Henry Umberger."
Joe thanked the attorneys for their
work in his behalf and bade thom good.
bye. Dave Nicely's statement was
written in the presence Of his attorney.
1t simply reiterRtes that he is innocent,
and that 1t will be 80 proven some time.
It was exactly 1880 o'clock when
Sheriff Good, accompanied by Deputies
Barron and Dickey, went TO the con.
demned mems cells. The Sheriff stopped
at Dawes cell frat, and read to him the
death warrant. lie then proceeded to
Joe's cell, where the same programme
was gone through. The procession TO
the Bcafold was then formed.
Tonight the bodies were taken 10
their old homes acroeS the mountains.
It is estimated that not less than 6,CO0
strRugers were in town to-day. The
ubiquitous Pickpocket was pEesept, and
was the gamer by sums ranging from s.
to $3.50.
t,rnt,Xy M, 6rITu CotNtu