The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-01-25
HIGGINS MUST HANG|
Peter McCooe,' S Murderer Sentenced
by Judge Brentano.
WILL SWING IN MARCH
He Received His Doom Sullenly and Says
the Decision Was What He Expected
Under the circumstances.

CHICAGO, Ian. 22.-Thomas Higgins
will die on the gallows at the county
jail March 23, between the hours of 10
o'clock a. m. and o. ',lock p. m, for the
murder of Peter McCooey.
Judge Brentano first disposed of the
motion for a new trial, which was made
by Higgins attorney, on the strength
of an affidavit made by Joseph Kauper,
of 215 Johnson street. In the affidavit
Kauper set forth that on the morning
of Sept. 3, he saw three men run out of
the alley leading from the premises of
Peter McCooey at 1853 johnson street,
and that Higgins was not one of the
men.
Kauper was called to the witness
stand and denied the truthfulness of the
affidavit. Assistant States Attorney
Rosenthal read another affidavit made
by Kauper, in which he declared he had
not seen three men run out of an alley,
as alleged, because he was home in bed
at the time and knew nothing about the
McCooey murder until s O'Clock next
morning.
Judge Brentano asked why he had
made the former affidavit, and Kluper
answered he had been asked by Tim
Collins, street-sweeping boss, to 'give
Higgins a lift," and Collins had fur
nished him the information set forth in
the affidavit. He said Attorney Hanlon
had not made him any offers or sug-
gestions to sign the af1idavit.
81 wish to notify the state right here
that this man Kauper must be taken
before the grand jury and an indictment
procured against Tim Collins for supor-
nation of perjury" said Judge Brenta-
no. "No man should be allowed to es-
cape who attemps to forestall justice in
this manner"
'We will look after.Mr. Collins, your
honor" said Assistant States Attorney
Rosenthal
Judge Brentano then denied the mo-
tion for new trial
"The court" said the Judge in pro-
nouncing sentence, 'has no doubt OF
your gilt or the circumsts noes attend
ing the perpetration of your bloody
deed. There are no mitigating or ex-
tenuating circumstances in your favor
You were possessed of the knowledge
that Peter McCooey had, as a result of
his industry and ffugality and hard and
honest toll, laid up a small sum of money
and you determined feloniously to pos
sess yourself of these hard-earned and
honestly acquired savings.
"You were prompted by greed and
cupidity to the &C mmission of the ter
rible deed. You planned and executed
the burglary of the dwelling of your
victim in the night to possess yourself
of his hard-earned dollars and you de-
termiped, if necessary to procure them,
If disturbed or resisted, to murder your
victim. You gave him no opportunity
to defend himself. In the unsuspecting
hours of the early Sabbath he was en-.
joying sweet repose after hours of hard
and patient labor, in the supposed Sc.
curity of his home, asleep beside his
aged and faithful wife. Suddenly and
without warning you sent bullet
crashing through his brain and cut of
the current of his life before he had
time to realize his fate.n
When he had finished the Judge looked
at Higgins and said:
''Thomas Higgins, stand up"
Higgins arose. A troubled look came
t into his face, but soon gave place to one
: of sullenness. He fastened his gaze OF
4 the Judge and stood motionless.
: Thomas Higgins, 1t becomes my duty
e to pass sentence of death upon you. !.
: you have anything to say why sentence
e should not be passed, say it now"
+ 81 have nothing to say" said Higgins
, hoarsely.
( Judge B Breutano then pronounced the
n sentence. The date of execution wal
T first fixed at March 16. At the reques
n of Mr.. Hanlon, agreed to by the state
t the date was changed to March 23
s Higgins was led back to his cell. Whel
e seen a few minutes later, he said: 81
e was what expected under the circum
Il stances"
i The crime of which Higgins is con
/ victed is the murder of Peter McCooey
early one Sunday morning last Novem
ber, at his home, 1853 Johnson street
: McCooey had accumulated some small
tered the house for the purpose of get
ting the money. McCooey awoke ant
v was shot and instantly killed. Higgin
y was arrested and, while locked up il
e the Maxwell street police station, con
S fessed that he had fired the shot whicl
l, killed McCooey.
>. Discovery that VIII Bring Wealth.
D. CINCINNATI, Jan. GA solder that sue