The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-23
DEATH AGAIN APPROACHES.
The Condemned Man Alone With
His Guard.
A FORMER SCHOOLMATE CALLS
He Is Firmly Informed That No
One Can Now Be
Received.

The hours of life of John McNulty. the
condemned murderer of Patrick Collins,
appear to be swiftly drawing to a close.
Unless the Governor shall reconsider his
decision not to interfere the curtain of
darkness will soon be lowered to the stage
to be raised only in another world. Yes
terday afternoon for the third time since
his incarceration the echoes of the hammer,
as it fell upon the scatfod timberS, ruug
throughout the corridors OF the jail.
Seated in the front room OF the Jail was
the prisoner. pale and concerned, listening
to the lugubrlous sounds. In the same
room with the condemned man Is the
DEATH wi tch. who alone will be his CON-
panion until a few hours before he leaves
his room to go to cell AZ, the door of which
will open close to the steps leading to the
scaff0ld platform on which he is expected
to stand OF Friday next between the hours
OF II and u A. NJ.
McNulty is provided with every comfort
that pity for the condemned man can sug-
eest. Sheriff McDade has given instruc-
tons to Chief Jailer Il. Fitzpatrick that
for the remainder of his life his food shall
consist of any and every thing he may ask
tor. McNulty has been told so, but while
approaching all the kindheartedness Of the
Sheriff his diet is very light and simple.
Yesterday morning he arose at o'clock.
after having been in a sound sleep for
eight consecutive hours. His breakfast
consisted OF soft fried eggs, toast and
coffee, all of which he ate with relish. Al
l O'Clock he lunched on tea and toast. say
ing to the jailer that he was not yet hum
cry and would eat heartier at O'Clock,
when dinner was served.
Ih6 room In which Nc NuItV IL confined
under the death watch is not what is CON-
monty called a prison cell. II is large
front room on the second floor Of the Broadway
jail. nicely furnished with a cot, easy chairs
and table. 1t is known as the death watch
room and Is seldom used for other purposes.
McNulty was placed under his death watch at
his own request three days earlier than IL was
The intention OF Sheriff McDade that lie should.
OG Saturday morning last ne called Jailer FIJI
pa rick 10 his ceil-doOr on the first floor and
requested that he should be taken upstairs To
the Qeatb-Watch room.
Il have only few more days to live," he
said, land L am so lonely here in this cell.
Please lake me upstairs where the watch will
be put with me. 1 can then talk 10 some one
and will not be alone"
Sheriff McDade directed that the request
should be granted and MeNulty was trans
1eIreG 10 his new quarters. As lie entered the
room be smiled family ana, looking around,
said TO the laier. Oh that is BETTER" Before
the jaler left him McNulty took seat in one
of the chairs and said, "Mr. FitZpatrick YOU
have been very kind TO me and now want you
10 grant me this one favor-let no one visit me.
When am all alone with my watch l want to
spend my time communing with Almighty God.
believe in hereafter and / want To make nv
peace with my maker in solitude and quiet"
This request has been strictly complied with
ana no one except Father Jacquet and The
watches have since been admit d TO the room.
Soon alter he had eaten his lunch yesterday a
schoomaIe of McNuity when he was a boy
living III New Brunswick called at the Jail to-
see him. Captain Fitzpatrick told him that lie
could not go up. but he pleaded So hard that
the Captain himself went 10 McNulty ana told
him his former schOolmate wished to see him.
Il can't Sc any one, tell him kindly" said
McNulty.
For two hours the company OF his youth stood
around in the vain hope that he could get up.
Three times Captain Fitzpatrick went 10 Nc
Nultys room, the last time telling him that his
friend was weeping downstairs because he was
not allowed to see him. Tell him II he thinks
kindly OF me he Will not insist" was McNulIy's
reply, and the schoOmate disappointed and
with a sad heart left the JAIL
The condemned man spends most of his time
in prayer and devotional exercises. Before him
on his little stand is crucitiX and a Bible. Oft
times TO break the monotouy of his remaining
hours he Will engage in short common place
conversation with his guard only to be broken
OF 10 resume his religious teXeIcises. McNulty
usually retires about midnight 10 his single cot
where IN peaceful sleep he rests until morning.
Although very pale and nervous during the day
aud night, until he goes 10 bed. his sleep to all
appearances, is not disturbed by aught of the
future. On rising in the morning he is usually
tue iHoSt Cnceiiui, DuI DIS lHe udy wears away
his solemn surroundings make him more re-
served.
Yesterday afternoon the black scaffold, raf-
tiers and platform were brought forth from the
garrett and work on Its erection was COM
menced. Jt will stand suspended from the
main corridor ceiling TO the railing around the
balcony on the second floor at The north end Of
the corridor. The platform will rest on the
railing, with four steps leading down to the
door OF cell AZ TO which the prisoner Will be
taken a short time before the march TO the
galows is commenced. Underneath the trap
10 the main floor or the corridor is distance of
twentysiX feet. Work on the building and put
ting together of the framework of the gibbet
will be continued until is finished, which will
be about 10 O'Clock this morning.