The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-06
NOT GUILTY.
"Bat' Shea Snatched From the Yer;
Shadow OF the Grave. "
NOT MURDERER OF ROBERT ROSS
John McCough Admits That He
Is the Guilty Man.

ALBANY, Jan. 6.--The climax of one Of
the most dramatic and sensational GRIM
inal incidents of the states history took
place yesterday when, just 4S hours prior
20 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 electrical chair.
The invitations To witness the killing OF
Shea had been issued, the state electrician
was already upon the ground at Dame
mora prison, the governor had decided on
Saturday not TO interfere in the carrying
out Of the sentence. and Shea had re-
signed himself to his fate, when another
prisoner In the institution, IA comrade OF
Shea's and particlpator in the election
outrages when the tragedy occurred, con-
fessed TO the crime.
The man who voluntarily confessed to
the crime is John McGough of Troy. now
serving sentence OF 1917 years for shoot
ing and attempting 10 kill William Ross,
n brother of Robert Ross, who was sup
posed TO be Sheas victim. In some way
known only To convicts, McGough had
contriyed to keep Informed as TO the sue
cess or the failure OF the application for
Communication made in behalf OF Shea.
When Shea was rcsentenccd to, die, Dec.
P3. IL is believed that McGough was ready
90 confess, but when he learned that u
respite had teen granted he withheld his
confession. After the holidays he learned
that the efforts to obtain commuta-
tion for Shea had not ceased, and so he
made no confession.
McGough's Confession.
On Saturday. when Warden Thayer was
made aware that the governor would not
interfere, and arrangements were being
made for the execution, McGough sent for
the warden. and told him that no wished TO
make n statement concerning the murder
of Robert Ross. The Warden had Nc
Cough taken to the Office, and handing
him pen and paper, told him TO put down
what he had TO say in writing McIough
wrote "a communication Of about two
pages and signing it with his full name,
handed it to the warden. To the surprise
of the warden and his deputies, the paper
contained detailed statement that he,
McGough, and not Shea, had shot and
killed Robert Ross.
Warden Thayer went at once TO the tele-
phone when Mciough had been called TO
his cell and called up the executive cham
Der. He asked the governor TO please re-
ceive u messenger whom he said would ar
rive, and then at once dispatched Prison
Inspector Coughlin to Albany. MIR.
Coughlin arrived in this city yesterday
and caught Governor Morton at the man
sion. The GOVERNOR upon learning the
nature of the communication, sent mt
once for Pardon Clerk Joyce and Shea
counsel, &nlcn II. Hit
After "a brief conference the governor
| IN. MT Fr,.
during which time counsel could take the
| proper means To- bring the matter before
the courts for new trial The respite
was issued today, aud will be in force un-
til Feb L. Mr. Hit went before the SUI
preme court this morning and asked for
a new trial for Shea and the production in
court Of McGough.
History of the Crime.
The confession Of McGough will bring
20 mind the tragic series of events that led
mp TO the present dramatic results. The
conviction of Shea aud the great public
sentiment against his release were due not
entirely TO the fact that he shot Ross, but
20 the aroused public sentiment against
the disgraceful violation OF the purity OF
the ballot. The crimes occurred March o,
1894.
Shea and McGough headed a crowd of
repeaters 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, William and
Robert were the head of the Republican
party, but announced that they would.
In anticipation of their visit, the Rosses,
John Boland and several other citizens
had armed themselves with clubs ard
some with pistols loaded with blank car
bridges. 1t was shortly after that the
r2elce occurred, and while 90 or more shots
were fired the two Ross boys fell. IL was
while Robert lay PROSTATE that somebody
ran up and shot him In the head This
crime was finally laid at Shea's door, and
he was sentenced to death, while McGough
was sent to prison for 10 years for his as
sault upou William Ross.