The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-04-13
THEIR LAST MIGHT.
How the Condemned Men Passed
the Vigil Of Their Terri
BILE Fate.

The condemned men spent yesterday in
making final preparations for their inn
pending doom. They We're allowed un-
usual privileges, and their slightest re-
quest was granted as soon as it was
made. Mackin arose at six O'Clock and
received the Sacrament of Holy Com
munion from Father Smith of St. JOS
eph's Church, who was on hand at that
hour and remained throughout the day,
leaving the jail sonly long enough to eat
his meals. After mass had been said,
Mackin returned to his bed and rested
until eight O'clock, when he arose for the
day. He ate a light breakfast of tea
and milk toast. During the morning he
drank a seltzer lemonade. For dinner
he ate roast beef with vegetables, and
topped it off with a glass of whiskey. For
supper he had cold meat and preserved
peaches, bread and butter, cake and
GEM slept well throughout the night
and arose at six o clock. To Warden
Lennon, who asked him how i he felt F9 y, ne
replied:-"Like a fighting cock He had
a bath and then spent considerable time
in writing to the lew friends who nave
been kind to him during his confinement
Among those who have received farewell
epistles from the condemned man are
ex-senator William Stuhr, Justice Gilbert
Collins, John Wahl Queen and Justice OF
hearty one, consisting of beefsteak, fried
eggs and glass of milk. Between break
fast and dinner he ate two eaviare sand
wiches and two glasses Of culmbacher
beer A half a boiled chicken, with
fixings, and Rhine wine composed his din
ner, which he ate at one o'clock Colo
meat, bread and butter and two cups of
strong coffee, was all he had for supper
The two condemned men were on friend
y terms al day d They Pad net fro nad ahg my
time year ago when Mackin went to
Keeper Connolly's assistance when Genz
assaulted him, until sunday night, i, Wnea n
shook hands. Mackin spent portion OF
the morning in letter writing. He sent
his thanks to his counsel, Norman r, an = Z!
ternoon he sent the following letter to
the newspapers, through Deputy Warden
II wish my friends and the public to
know that | meet death with resigna-
tion and with perfect faith in the forgive
zciful God Had I been less headstrong,
had I given more careful heed to the
counsel of tender and affectionate parents
my present condition would be very
wrong has been done and see the truth
when it is too late to profit by it, I
pray that other young men may take
warning from my example To such my
last words are:-'Be obedient to your par
ents, avoid. strong drink and evil COM
panions and trust and serve Cod
now be where / am AS it is I have prayed
the Savior and besought the intercession
know He who forgave the dying thief
upon the cross has heard my supplica-
tion and given me the peace that passeth
understanding My last request is that
all those who fear God will remember
me in their prayers and give support and
sympathy to those who love me and
who suffer through my faults. May the
Lord have mercy on my soul.
JOHN MACKIN."
Mackin wrote the following letter to
Warden Lennon on a scrap of brown pa
peri wish to express my heartfelt
gratitude for the kind and thoughtful
treatment have received from the war
den, matron and other officials who have
done all that lay in their power to make
my last days comfortable.
II thank them from the bottom of my
heart Tor what they have done for me.
JOHN MACKIN."
Father Moran called three times during
the day and assisted in ministering to
the doomed man. Both priests were pres
ent at two o'clock when Mrs: Mackin
rived with little Harry. They were ad-
mitted to the cell and Joined in prayer
With 1t, the priests ITS. and &, Mackin Mrs.
ly for her son, when there was louu
noise in the hallway, and presently there
group of devotees the form Of Hangman
Van Hise, who was Juggling section of
the gallows to, corridor No. g. The ser
hideous sight. Mrs Mackiin when she She
caught a glimpse Of the gallows uttered
piercing shrek and tainted. Sheriff
Heller heard of this and ordered the
hangman to be careful in moving the GAL
lows. and had blanket hung ia front of
the door to shut out the sight from the
conqanneH Wbila tb;s men Has ano , Ineir friends
Mackin's cell, GEM was engaged in
earnest conversation with Mrs Caen and
the Kev. z. a. Meury pastor Of the Sec
ministrations he has accepted in the
last week. He had expressed himself as
nest prayer. He assured Mr. Meurv
that he felt that God had forgiven rim
and that he would die trusting in Him
the afternoon Justice Macs called and
spent several hours with Gsnz al six
O'Clock Mackin's father, who is fanni1iar-
Up e tfle lail leaning e Z erl RI heavy cane.