Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-26
Man who EXECUTED Emmet.

September p marked the 10th anniversary
Of the execution OF the immortal Irish pa
triot, Robert Emmett, which took place on
September 20, 1903.
Much has been written concerning EN-
met, particularly his sad end, but nothing
has been said about his eXecutioner, who
lived for q long time afterward.
During the Irish rebellion of 1898, and
the subsequent one organized by Emmett
in 1903, there was stationed at Portobello
barracks, Dublin, Ireland, a regiment of
cavalry known as the Fourth Dragon
guards, to which was attached one Bernard
Moran, who, according to his confession,
made previous to his death. took part in
many events OF those stirring days. He
was one Of the soldiers who accompanied
the notorious Majors Swami and SIR to the
house OF Murphy, the feather merchant,
Isl Thomas street, where, after a desper-
ate struggle, they succeeded in capturing
the noted Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who
died a few days later from the wounds
which he received.
The authorities being DESTROYS Of OBJ
tanning someone to act as eXecutioner for
Emmett, Moran was approached on the sub
ject, accepted the blood money from Ma
jor Swami and performed the execution.
After Moran's discharge from the British
army he became a ballad singer" visiting
the fairs and markets in the various towns
throughout the west of ireland, singing
ballads and selling them.
A gentleman now residing in this city
says he met Moran in the town of Boyle,
Roscommon, Ireland, in the summer OF
1861, and saw him frequently between that
date and the winter of 1866. Moran. ac-
cording to this informant. was a tall, thin
man, about six feet in height. His dress
consisted OF a soldiers great coat, old
trousers, d~ilapidated hat and was often
without shoes or shirt. On being asked to
sing q song, before doing 30 Moran would
go TO the door, look up and down the street
to see II the police were l.. sight, and. OBJ
serving that the coast was clear, return
and sing ''Th White Cockade" and other
songs not liked by the authorities.
James DAILY, for many years part owner
and editor OF the Telegraph, Castelar,,
Mayo, Ireland, states that Moran was the
life OF any village in which he stopped,
amusing the younger generation by his
songs and stories. and, though he made
others laugh, he never made known to any
one who he vas or from whence he came.
Many endeavored to learn where Moran
slept and obtained his food, but were I'M
successful. When age rendered him I'M
fit to follow his occupation he was ad-
mitted to the workhouse, Ballina, Mayo,
Ireland, where he remained until his death,
August 8, 1878.
Previous to his death he summoned to
his bedside James Mahon, then one OF the
leading merchants OF Ballina, and the lat.
ter's son-in-law, DR.. Nolan, at that time
medical officer of the workhouse, and told
them in a hushed and faltering voice thai
he had a most important secret to reveal
IL they would promise him not to divulgC
1t until after his burial. Assurance beine
given him on this point, Moran stated thai
he was one of the soldiers who accom-
panied Majors SIR and Swami to Murphy's
the f~eatherman's, house in Thomas street
to capture Lord Edward Fitzgerald. and,
although" added the sinking man in a
faint whisper. Il am now dying a pauper's
death, l Loyalty acted my part to the Brit
ish government"
A more important revelation was made
by Moran, He stated that It was he who
acted the part of executioner at the death
OF Robert Emmett; that he was doing duty
in Portobello Barracks Dublin) when he
accepted the job, and that he was brought
in civilian clothes TO the ~well-known spot
Crhomas street, where the patriot under,
went martyrdom,
Moran is believed to have made a con.
fession to the Rev. Edward Tlmlin OF
Castleconnor NOW deceased), then chaplain
OF the workhouse. Ballina. p. J. Coleman
author OF The Soldiers OF the Celt." and
other poems, who was acquainted with
Moran, states that on receiving aid ne wa.
often heard to remark, May you never b,
hung out OF a window" and that wheI
his confession was made public many re
called this remark and were Of the opinion
that In making II he had before his min.
the death OF Emmett and hoped they woull
never meet a similar fate.
Moran is buried in Fillmore graveyard
Ballina, Mayo, Ireland, within a stone
throw OF the road upon which Genera
Humbert and his army made their march
from Knlala In l79s, and in the same. plac
was laid to rest the men who fought unde
Humbert's standard IN the cause OF, Irisl
liberty. Moran's grave is almost unknown
there is no epitaph to denote its where
abOuts and Il is covered with withere,
grass. as II to hide It frsm view.-Phladel
phia Record.
Coolies as Railroad Builders.
twenty-five thousand Chinese coolies ar
urnufad 10 finIgh the Canadian Gran