The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-06
His Death I'm the Electrical Chair
This Week Avertcd, and n Respite
Granted by Governor Morton.
JOHN M'GOUGH'S CONFESSION
SAYS HE HIMSELF FIRED THE SHOT
THAT KILLED ROSS.
He Was with Shea at the Head OF q
Crowd of Democratic Repeaters
When the Fatal Riot Took Place.

one OF the most dramatic and sensational
criminal incidents OF the States history
was made public to-day when just forty
hours prior to the execution of the death
sentence on Bartholomew Shea, another
man confessed to the murder, and Shea
steps from beneath the shadow OF death
thrown ~ the electric chair. The invita-
tons for the electric killing OF Shea had
been issued. the State electrician was al
ready on the ground at Dannemora prison.
the Governor had decided as stated on sat-
udray. not to interfere IN the carrying out
or the sentence, and Shea had resigned
himself to his fate. when another prisoner
in the institution. comrade of Shea's and
participation in the election outrages when
the tragedy occurred, confessed TO the
crime.
The man who voluntarily confessed 20 the
crime. and who practically steps from
prison cell to the menacing shade OF the
electrical death chair, is John McGough.
Of Troy. now serving a sentence Of nineteen
years and six months for shooting and
attempting to kill William Ross. a brother
of Robert Ross, who was supposed to be
Shea's victim. In some way known only
to convicts. McGoueh had contrived to keep
informed as TO the success or failure OF
the application for Communication made in
behalf OF Shea. When Shea was resen-
fenced TO die the 2Srd of Decen-
Der, 1t is believed that McGough was ready
to confess, but when he learned that a
respite had been granted he withheld his
confession. After the holidays he learned
that the efforts to obtain a Communication
for Shea had not ceased, and so he made
no sign. On Saturday, when Warden Thay-
er was made aware that the Governor
would not interfere and arrangements were
being made for the execution, McGough
sent for the warden Of the prison, Mr.. Wal
ter n. Thayer, and when the warden had
come, told him that he wished 20 make
statement concerning the murder OF
Robert Ross. The warden had McGough
taken TO the office and. handing him pen
and paper. told him TO put down what he
had to say in writing. McGougn wrote a
communication of about two pages and.
signing it with his full name. handed IL TO
the warden. To the surprise of the war;
den and his deputies. the paper contained
a decided statement that ne CMcGough)
and not Shea, had shot and Killed Robert
Ross. The statement contained no details
of the shooting other than the bold con-
fession of the fact
Warden Thayer went at once TO the
telephone when McGough had been returned
to his cell and called up the executive
chamber. He asked the Governor 10 please
receive a messenger who he said would
arrive and then at once dispatched the
prison stenographer, Mr.. Edward NJ. Cough
lin, to Albany. Mr.. Coughlin arrived in
this city this morning and caught Governor
Morton at the mansion just as he was
leaving for church. The Governor. on learn
ing the nature of the communication, sent
at once for Pardon Clerk Joyce, and Shea's
counsel. Mr.. Galen II. Hit. After a BRIEF
conference the Governor decided TO grant
a respite for four weeks, during which
time counsel could take the proper means
to bring the matter before the courts for
a new trial The respite will be issued to-
morrow and will be in force until Feb. L.
Mr. Hit will so before the Supreme Court
tomorrow morning and ask for trial for
Shea and the production in court OF Nc
Cough
The confession Of McGough will bring to
mind the tragic series of events that led
up to the present dramatic results. The
conviction of Shea and the great public
sentiment against his release were due not
entirely to the fact that he shot Ross, but
to the aroused public sentiment against
the disgraceful violation OF the purity or
the ballot that mad maze the CITY Oh 1ios
a by-word The crimes occurred on the
9Th of March, 1894. Shea and McGoush
headed a crowd of repeaters. who had
worked almost every polling place in Trey.
They had been told not to try their games
i'm the ward in which the Ross brothers,
William and Robert, were the head OF the
Republican workers, but announced that
they would. In anticipation OF their visit.
the ROSES, John Boland and several other
citizens, had armed themselves with clubs
and some with pistols. loaded with blank
cartridges. 1t was shortly after that the
melee occurred and while twenty or more
shots were fired, the two Ross boys fell.
1t was while Robert lay PROSTATE that
somebody ran up and shot him In the head.
This crime was finally laid TO Shea's door
and he was sentenced TO death, while Nc
Cough was sent TO prison for nineteen years
for his assault on William Ross. Shea's
case was taken to the Court OF Appeals,
which confirmed the conviction. The Cow
ernor respited him until after the holt
days but on Saturday he refused to COM
mute HIS sentence. Some idea Of the senti-
ment in Troy over the matter can be OBJ
tanned when II is known that the citizens
are erecting a monument in honor OF Ross.
who lost his life. At the same time Shea
had many friends. as was attcsted by the
large memorials i'm his favor signed ny al
most five thousand women and men and
sanf IN the Governor.