New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-06
WHO KILLED ROBERT ROSSf
BAT sHEAs pal" MGOUGH CONFESsEs
TO THE CRIME
SHEA. WHO WAS TO DIE TOMORROW. GETS A
RESPITE TO FEBRUARY on THE
STRENGTH OF THIS NEW AND IN
EXPECTED EVIDENCE.


EXPECTED EVIDENCE.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBvNE.l
Albany, Jan. 5.-Desperate efforts are being
made to save Bat" Shea convicted Of murder
ing Robert Ross. the Republican watcher, who
was guarding the polls in Troy at the spring cleo
tion Of 1894. 4 short time ago petition was
circulated asking Governor Morton to commute
his sentence to life imprisonment BY means Of
threats the Murphy machine in Troy obtained a
large number of signatures II this petition. Gov
ernor Morton. II is understood, declined to grant
this petition, and Shea was to die on Tuesday at
clinton Prison It was under these circum-
stances that Governor Morton to-day received
letter from Warden Thayer of Clinton Prison,
containing statement signed by John McGough,
sheas pal" in which he declares that he. not
Shea. killed Ross. Walter \. Thayer was APP
pointed Warden OF Clinton Prison through the
influence Of Senator Murphy Of Troy. In docu-
ment given out by Governor Morton the follow
ing statement Is made regarding McGoughs
confession:
Governor Morton to-day received from Warden
Thayer. Of Clinton Prison. a written statement
made by John McGough q prisoner. in when
McGough confesses that il was he. ana NOT
Bartholomew Shea who fired the shot which
killed Robert Ross in the election riot on March
G 1894. at Troy. y. Y The document is wholly in
the handwriting Of McG0ugh and was written in
the presence of the Warden. in the prison office.
shortly before o'clock on saturday afternoon.
The Warden then telegraphed TO the Governor
that he had an important communication to make
and would send ii by special messenger. The mes
senger arrived at the Executive Chamber AT 10
o'clock this morning with the confession. The
Governor. after examining the document and the
accompanying letter from Warden Thayer. sent
fpr Galen +. Hit, Shea's counsel. and communi-
Gated to him the facts. and. In compliance with
Mr. Hits request. decided to issue tomorrow
respite for Shea until Tuesday. February T. In
the interval the condemned mans counsel viii
have time tO make motion before the Supreme
Court for new trial.
Cialen r. Hit Of Albany. and John T. Norton.
OF Troy. Shea's counsel. were greatly sur
prised as anybody at the news OF McGough's con-
fssior. and said tonight that they had never
anticipated anything Of the sort. They will move
Immediately in Special = rm of the supreme
Court for trial for shea.
Governor Morton docled tonight to have
anything further to say ot the matter. !ie says
IN. text Of McGough's confession will not be
given out
Governor Morton. # course has dono right IN
granting the respite. but ~ also does well - ap-
point a personal agent 90 accompany Mr Hit
:, clinton Prison and listen to McGough's state
nent. Undoubtedly tho Governors attention VIII
boz called 10 the testimony given ~ th" trial o.
shea. which CONVINCED a Jury that H'sS was
Murdered hv him. Not;ough was sent to prison
flr nineteen years for his participation with
Shea n that murderous affray can he he con
yictpd of murder On his owu statement
Troy. y =. Jan. >. The confession of John
Mr,-0ugh thar he and not Bat" Shea. killed
Robert Ross. created great interest here. Nc
Coughs confession Is believed by many citizens
TO hc q desperate attempt to save Shea from
the electric chair. McGough IS serving a nine
'eou yaars' sentence in Clinton Prison for at
tempting To shoot with intent 10 Kill William
Ross brother of Robert. Nearly score OF
reputable citizens swore positively on Shea's
trial that they saw Bat" fire the fatal shot.