The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-07

John McGough Con.esses That He Killed
Robert Ross.

Robert Ross.
ALBANY. Jan. 5.-f3at Shea, who was
convicted OF numbering Robert Ross In
the Troy election riot, March g. 1874,
and who was 10 have been executed at
Clinton prison on Tuesday at IL o'clock,
has been saved by the written confession
of John McGough. that It was he. and
not shea. who killed Ross The confess
sion reached Governor Morton this MORN
ing ana he has decided TO issue to-day
a respite In Sheas case Tor Tour weeks
from Tuesday, In Or0er 10 give MS coun-
Sci opportunity To move Tor new tildi.
shea respite comes after the faiure
OF the most persistent effortS TO have ms
sentence commuted and after he had been
once reprieved by Governor Morton Tor
Two weeks
According to the story told by the mes
senger VINO brought the confession. IL
was entirely voluntary on the part OF
McGough. McGOugh is prisoner IN Cln-
ton prison, serving a term or twenty
years for shooting William Ross In the
neck in the same row IN which ROBERT
Ross was Killed.
on February 3. 1894 Republican pri-
mary was held in the ward In Troy In
which Shea and the others lived for the
nomination OF alderman and ward omcers'
There were two factions, and trouble
soon broke out between them. John NC
Cough Was finally elected chairman. Dur
luE the NOtiEE one OF JOhu
friends attempted TO vote Joker, con-
slsting OF two or three tissue ballots.
McGough refused to receive the vote,
and A tremendous row between the Two
factions followed. In the midst OF tne
confusion McGOugh handed the ballot
box TO Shea who ran of with IT, Those
In control went on with the primary,
and the other faction, including the koss
brothers. went Ia another han, ana there
made their nominations. Inc TWO we
NJ
placed in the field. The Democrats mace
no nomination A..
A campaign full of excitement and DIS
order followed On election-day the hoss
brothers were present at the poils as
watchers. armed with clubs and revolVers.
The members of the other faction were
also armed with pistols All was QUE.
until about noon. There were ABOUT seNA
enty persons around the polls, anu AZ Una,
hour several tried 70 repeat lhey sot IN
the polling place, and soon atterWaru
McG0ugh. Shea, and Cleary, who haa
already voted. forced their way IN \
man named Hsynor' bslongins t3 'ho ne
enter as McGough and Shea. several
well-known citizens were preparing tneir
ballots when the trouble began. Inc spS-
cial policeman on duty hustled everybody
out. Outside fight began between Cleaiy
and Haynor VINO was armed with a
club. Shea ran up, saying that ne nae
something better than CLUB, ana nred
his pistol. ., a.
combatants. and for two minutes a gen
eral melee was In progress. FROM nileeh
to twenty-five shots were nred, ana tour
men were hit. Shea received seslD
wound. McGough was shot heat IN o,r
spine. the ball nenerating more than -FOUR
inches william koss was snot IN tne
neck. and Robert Ross was shot In the
back of the head and killed.
Shea went home and went 20 peu, WIFI
across lots. with some or the crowd IN
pursuit He took refuge In his father
house. where he changed MS clothes anu
went into hiding. tie was 9uDseguehuy
captured and put in JAN, whyre ne es nulies
was extracted from his back TWO weeks
on MAY 2G. 1894. Shea was indicted for
the murder of Robert Ross lie was ar
29th pleaded not guilty. The triai lasted
from April "a TO July 80, "heh ohea "aS
convicted and sentenced 10 DC eNechte"
in November stay was secured pehn-
ing an appeal 10 the Court oi ,,Nppeaa5,,
A week after Shsa's conviction McGoush
was placed on trial, and was found guilty.
Of assault in the nrst degree. lie Is now
serving his term. on OCTOBER otn n.
Court Of Appeals confirmed ths Verpic. e
i'm Shea's case, and he was sentenced 10
death in the Court OF oyer ana Ierminer
in Troy His execution was set Tor the
week beginning December go, Lawys
Hitt appealed 10 Governor MOI t,oh lo'
respite to prevent the execution from
taking place I'm the Christmas holiday
season. The Governor granted the re-
nrleve. ana. named January 7th Tor the
day OF execution. e,..,,s
4 petition FOR the commutation OF Shea
sentence. on the ground that the kilihs
was not premedtated, and could not
therefore be murder In the nrst degres
was signed by over 1000 persons ahd
laid before the Governor. tie considered
the case until Yesterday, when he decided
not 10 Interfere, and so notified the couh-
sci. .., -, .rac-
Preparatlons for the execution mad prac.
tfcailv been completed at Dannemora, ana
cards OF admission had been sent 70 the
usual number Of physicians ana others'
WARDEN Thayer was advised or the re-
suite by telegraph to-day. In order that
he might have time 20 notify these per-
McGough IL twenty-eii,ht wears old, anu
shea is twenty-eight. When Governor
Marion was considering the case to-chy
ba asked Mr. Hit where Shea received MS
educatiOn The answer was tnat ne haa
received Ia In the Elmira reformatory'
LAWYERS say there is nothing now 70
prevent the finding OF an indictment
against McGough for the killing OF Ross.
New York Sun