Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-24
WAITING FOR THE DAY
That Will Usher Patrick Fitzpatrick
Into the Great Beyond.
HIS LAST NIGHT In THIS WORLD.
Arrangements Completed for the Execution
This Morning.
A LAST EFFORT TO SAVE HIS LIFE

was not marked by any unusual features.
He was as cheerful and went to bed at the
same hour as on other nights recently, and
but for the increased attention he received
from the Sisters of Mercy and the attending
priest, Father Griffin, there was nothing at
the Jail to indicate that the law would this
morning demand human life for one that
has been sacrificed.
Fitzpatrick rose at 6 o'clock yesterday
morning and while bathing his face talked
to the death watch, remarking that it was a
gloomy day but, with a smile, adding that
to-day would be gloomier one for him.
\ AT 7:30 Father Griffin called on the muir
derer and remained in PRAYER with him
until o'clock. A substantial breakfast
was then partaken, with the relish of
healthy man.
Two Sisters of Mercy called soon after
ward and remained with the condemned
man until noon, when, at the regular dinner
hour, Fitzpatrick ate light meal.
Passing n Peac full Day.
From that time until 4 o'clock Fitzpatrick
spent in reading the morning papers and at
prayer. The Sisters Of Mercy returned
then, remaining until $50, and were fol-
lowed by Father Griffin, who remained
until o'clock last night engaged with the
murderer in prayer, and left him with a
promise to return at o'clock this morning.
Soon after the priest had departed Fitz-
patrick disrobed and retired, bidding his
guard last good night.
At midnight Sheriff McCleary assumed
charge of the Jail, and will continue in au-
thority until after the execution, no person
being admitted 10 the building for any pur-
pose without his permission.
Thn -
are as simple and well planned as
derer will be breakfasted with what
ever he may desire to eat after rising,
and the priest will be permitted to remain
with him from that time until the fatal
march to the gallows is over and the black
cap is set in place. The scaffold is all
ready for its victim. The trap has been
tried several times, the rope has been tested
and all is in perfect condition. The con-
demned will take just IL steps from the
bottom of the scafold to his position~on the
deadly trap.
Programme OF the Execution.
The execution will take place as near II
o'clock A. Nj. as possible. Only the Sheriff
and his assistants, the jury of IL men, two
ply sicians, few court house officials and
the newspaper representatives will be
present. The jury will be composed of
George Y. Mckee, S. B. Cluley, Peter
Samuel White, Herman Handel, DR..
w. H. Donnell, DIR. H. w. Hetzrot,
DR.. R. V. Blankenbuler, DR.. ]. T. Black
burn and NJ W. Fullwood The physicians
in attendance will be Drs. A. V. Chessrown
and G. G. Rahauser
When life has been pronounced extinct
the remains will be taken charge of by
Undertaken Flannery, the body having
been placed at the disposal of Father Griffin
by Fitzpatrick himself to be inferred in
consecrated ground.
Criminal Court yesterday was adjourned
until tomorrow on account of the e1ecu-
tion.
A final effort to save the life of Fitzpat-
rick was made last night by number of
prominent citizens headed by Albert Barr,
j. B. Larkin and r. D. Casey, who sent an
earnest appeal to Governor Pattison last
ecution of 80 days
A Plea for a Respite.
The gentlemen named, in company with
Attorneys Bremen and Scaife, called on
Sheriff McCleary at 4 o'clock yesterday and
notified him that Mr.. Larkin would leave
for Harrisburg in the evening. to inter-
cede in the case. They also asked
the Sheriff to be on the lookout for
q telegram in the morning from the Gov
ernor. Sheriff McCleary said he would not
accept a dispatch as an official order, as
anybody could send him message signed
with the Governors name. The gentlemen
had not thought of that and then the idea
OF sending a well-sisned telegram request
ing respite was decided on. The message
was sent at once and was made good and
strong and had half q hundred names at
tached to it, the names of prominent pro-
tessional, political and business men of the
city. 1t is confidently hoped by them that
the request will be granted, and it is argued
that an order granting respite could be
and reach the Sheriff before the hour set for
the execution, about II o'clock this morn
ing
The gentlemen interested in the case
argue that if the respite is granted for the
required time they can bring arguments to
back up proof to show the murder commit
ted was not of first degree.
Allegheny Conn.y's Last Hanging.
The last judicial hanging in Allegheny |
county occurred eight years ago when |
Thomas McSteen paid the penalty for the |
brutal murder of his wife. The deed |
occurred at Glenwood, McStcen hacking |
his wife to pieces with an ak which now |
adorns the wall in A. B. Hays law office OH |
Grant street.
Since the first Monday in January, 1887,
when Coroner Mcdowell assumed his
present office. Allegheny county has the
awful record of 135 murders. In all that
time there has not been one execution. Ed
ward Coffey, in 1885, cheated the
gallows after being sentenced for the cold
II III DoI; l.
cutting his throat with penknife in jail
few days before the date set for his execu-
ton.
There have, however, been number of
persons convicted of murder upon whom
the death sentence was passed, but were
saved through the intervention of the Par
don Board. Among these was William
Smith, the colored man, who murdered his
sleeping vile in bed at their home on Full
ton street, by firing bullet into her brain.
Smith, through the efforts of his attorneys,
was adjudged insane, and is now an inmate
IF Dixmont, where, it is said, he recently
made an attempt to murder one of the
guards.
COMMITTED to Life Imprisonment.
The three Huns, Sabol, Todt aud Rusnok,
1ho murdered Michael Quinn during labor
.iot at Carnegie's Homestead Mill, were
llso convicted of first degree murder, but by
;ome technicality of the law their sentence
vas committed to life Imprisonment, and
hey are now in the penitentiary.
Frank Gerade, who fiendishly battered
,ut the brains of his little daughter against
/ bedpost, is now under death sentence, but
he date of his execution has not been set,
although two juries have judged him
zane and guilty of first degree murder.
Dennis Cloonan, of Congress street,
Who few months ago battered his
Tife's head into shapeless mass, and who