The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-09
OUT |OF THE JAWS OF DEATH
WALKS A MAN ABOUT TO BE EN-
ECUTED IN NEW YORK FOR
MURDER.
THE REAL MURDERER CONFESSED.
Execution Would Have Taken Place
Within 4S Hours-John McGough
Confessed to the Murder of Rob
ert Ross at Troy.

Albany n. Y, Jan. 5.-The climax of
one of the most dramatic and sensational
criminal incidents of the States history
was made public today when, just 4S
hours prior to the execution of the death
sentence upon Bartholomew Shea another
man confessed to the murder and Shea
steps from beneath the shadow of death
thrown by the electric chair The invita-
tions for the electric killing of Shea had
been issued, the State electrician was al
ready upon the ground at Dannemorra
prison, the governor had decided on Sat
urday not to interfere in the carrying out
of the sentence and Shea had resigned
himself to his fate, when another prison
err in the institution, Il comrade of Shea's
and participation in the election outrages
when the tragedy occurred, confessed to
the crime. The man who voluntarily con
fessed to the crime and who practically
steps from prison chair to the menacing
shade of the electrical death is John Nc
Cough of Troy now serving Il sentence
of 10 years and six months for shooting or
attempting to kill VIM. Ross, u brother of
Robert Ross, who was supposed to be
Shea's victim. In some way known only
to convicts McGough had contrived to
keep posted as to the success or failure
of the applications for Communication made
in behalf of Shea. When Shea was re-
sentenced to die the 23rd of December, it
is believed that McGough was ready to
confess, but when he learned that a re-
spite had been granted he withheld his
confession. After learning that the eff
forts to obtain Communication had not ceas-
ed he made no sign. On Saturday, when
Warden Thayer was made aware that the
governor would not interfere and arrange
ments were being made for the execution,
McGough sent for the warden of the pris-
on, and when the warden had come told
him that he wished to make statement
concerning the murder of Ross. To the
surprise of the warden and his deputies,
they found that McGough's statement
contained u decided confession that he,
McGough, and not Shea, had shot and
killed Robert Ross. The statement con-
tanned no details of the shooting other
than the bold confession of the fact.
Warden Thayer Immediately dispatched
n messenger to Albany who arrived just
in time to catch Governor Morton at the
mansion as he was leaving for church this
morning. The governor, upon learning
the nature of the communication, sent at
once for Pardon Clerk Joyce and Shea's
counsel, DR.. Galen r. Hit. After brief
conference the governor decided to grant
u respite for four weeks, during which
time counsel could take the proper steps
to bring the matter before the courts for
a new trial.
Mr. Hit will go before the supreme
court tomorrow morning and ask for n
trial of Shea and the production in court
of McGough
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 pub
lie 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 of the ballot that had made the
city of Troy Il byword. The crimes Oc-
Cured on the 9th of March, 1894. Shea
and McGough headed crowd of repeat
ers who had worked almost every polling
place in Troy They had been told not
to try their games in the ward in which
the Ross brothers were the head of the
Republican party, but announced that
they would. In anticipation of their visit
the ROSES and several other citizens arm
ed themselves with clubs and some with
pistols loaded with blank cartridges. 1t
was shortly after that the melee occurred,
and while 20 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 Sheas door and he was
sentenced to death, while McGOugh was
sent to prison for 10 years for his assault
upon VIM. Ross.