The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-12-22
Hallinger Closely Watched
for Fear He Should
Try Suicide.
STILL A BIG, BIG DOUBT
Neither Winfield Nor Stanton
Would Order the Erection
of the Gallows.
But 1t Is Still More Than Probable
Fhat the Hanging Will Go -
On Tomorrow.

Constable Michael Egan watched the
murderer Hallinger closely all last nighs.
He is one of the three Constables ap-
pointed on the death watch. Tonight
there will be two men on duty at Hallin.
gers cell, which is No! 2 on the first floor
and in the east corridor. 1t is the second
cell from the Office and can be constantly
observed from there through a largs
peep hole.
For some reason Jailer Davis is taKing
greater precautions with Hallinger now
than were ever taken on other occasions,
during the two or three days before the
time designated for his execution.
IS SUICIDE Feared?
Whether this is because of fear that
Hallinger may again escaps the gallows,
but by suicides death, has not been as
serted by anyone in authority, but the
unusual precautions taken indicate that
the authorities are by no means satisfied
that he would not il given the opporUun-
ity. Before the death watch was ap-
pointed Hallinger had the run of the jail.
He had more freedom than any other
prisoner in it. Now he has no liberty. IF
allowed to walk in the corridor he is ac-
companied DY 4 keeper. When he retires
to his cell the iron CRATE DIOR is locked
after him. When he eats his food
keeper is with him to see that he does not
plunge knife or fork into himself. and
when he sleeps the vigilance of the death
watch is not relaxed
HRllinger has not so far shown any in.
dlcation that ne would commit suicide il
the opportunity was granted him, but it
is not forgotten that he did try to kill
r. n1E ia <~1wx L
death Mary Petersen with his lath hat
chet. II PeshalI does not succeed in
cheating Hangman Van Hise out of
job tomorrow, Hallinger will certainly be
hanged, for ne will have no chance to
take his own life.
HIS SPIRITUAL HOPE.
Hallinger is now seeking consolation in
the Catholic faith. He claims that he
was born in Tralee, Ireland, and was,
when child baptized according to the
rites of the Catholic Church, and that he
wants to die in that faith. He has beeR
during life Baptist exhorter and class
leader. but has renounced Protestant tism
as easily-ss he did prize fighting and.
white washing.
At niue o'clock this morning Re-
Father FinDigan, S. J., of ST. PeterV
College called at the jail and was ini
mediately admitted to Hallinger's cell
No one else was permitted TO go near it#
while the priest and murderer consulted.
Father Finaigan renamed with Hal
lnger about three hours. During the
time Rev. L. w. johnson, the colored
pastor of the Monmouth Street NJ.
E. Church, called at the Jail. He
desired to see HallinRer and
administer spiritual comfort to him.
1'he colored clergyman was told to wait
until Father Finnigan left the condemned
man. Mr.. johnson waited until nearly
patience became exhausted and he went
away. Father Finnigan will doubtless
administer to the spiritual wants of Hall
linger to the last.
Last night the negro slept comparas
lively well, and this morning his appetite
was good. His breakfast was specially
prepared, and was much better than that
received by the other prisoners. He ate
juicy steak, some potatoes, and drank
his coffee as if he relished them.
VAN HISE ON HAND.
Van Hise, the hangman, who boasts
that Halliuger will make the thirty
eighth person ne has executed. including
tive women, had consultation today
witd Prosecutor Winfield and Sheriff
Stanton. Van Hise said he was anxious
TO erect the Scaffold this afternoon. Mr..
Winfield would not direct him to do SO.
The Prosecutor told Sheriff Stanton that
the erection of the gallows had better be
deloFreu as ICuS a5 pO5SlOle, LOT ne ala
not know what would be the result OF
Counsellor PeshaI's attempt to
obtain stay. He did not want to puB
the county TO q useless expense. It was
finally determined that Sheriff Stanton
should telegraph Van Hise this afternoon
whether to bring his engine of death
from Newark to the Jail today or toinor-
row, or ut all. The impression left by
this consultation WAS that Van Hise
would not put up the gallows until to-
morrow and that the execution
would not take place until about noon.
1t had been almost decided
to execute HalliUger as soon after ten
o'clock tomorrow as possible, but it is
now thought that Van Hise will requira
until ten O'clock to arrange his machine
and that other matters will cause delay
until at least twelve O'Clock. The hangs
man told me he coud put the Acaffold IN
position in two hours. The apparatus is
in sections aud is braced by iron bars aud
bolted together.
II the execution takes place it will be
in ward six, on the second tier, in the
west corridor. No prisoners will be all
lowed in that corridor tomorrow morn
ing.