The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-06-06
TIE HANGING
OF PAT DOOLAN
By MARTHA MCGUIRE.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association

harebraned scamp In Ireland Every
body knew Pat. and every one who
knew him loved him. He was always
getting into trouble. and his facility
for doing SO was equaled by his tai
ents for getting out again. His hair
was red and curly. his complexion soft
and peachy as that of a girl. but he
was strong and wiry and not afraid of
the devil himself.
Fat was an freshman and q patriot
from the crown of his head TO the sole
of his foot He was always getting in
the way of the British officials. who
willy nilly were obliged 10 stumble
over him. and that meant that he was
constantly being brought up before a
magistrate for some breach of the
law. But the magistrates aud the
bailns all loved him SO well that they
were always either letting him off
openly or conniving at his escape from
justice. The trouble Is that Pats esca.
pades were always connected with
some movement against British rule.
and In this he had a large proportion
of the people with him.
But when the rebellion Of IL came
on and failed Pat, who had given the
government more trouble than any
other ten rebels, was tried, found
guilty of treason and sentenced to be
hanged. There was great lamentation
through the country at Pats fate, and
In those parts where he was personally
known had the people not just failed
at one rebellion they would have start
ed another TO save him.
Pat continued to crack his jokes, eat
all that was given him-good things
came for him in basketfuls TO the Jail
and drank the health of his jailers
when a bottle was struggled In with
the rest. AS the day approached for
his execution knots of his friends gath
cred and debated different methods of
saving him. Some talked of a rescue.
but rescues are seldom successful. es-
pecially when those appointed to carry
out sentence are prepared to resist
the rescuers. No one could learn
whether any Of the plans proposed
would be undertaken. There were
who were full Of fight and those
whose close tongues-an unusual thing
for an Irishman-gave the impression
that they were "still waters running
deep" But the day for the execution
came round. and there was no evil
dence of any well defined plan to save
Pats life.
Though as many OF Pats friends as
wished were permitted to be present
at the hanging. there were plenty Of
officials within call to prevent the pos
sibilty Of interference with the carry
ing out Of the sentence. Indeed. there
were not more than half dozen Of
those who loved Pat gathered about
the scaffold. and they were there with
q cart TO remove the body after it had
been taken down.
Pat assembled the scaffold with
jaunty step. Eileen McKenna. his
sweetheart at the time. had sent him
a tremendous flower. which he wore
in his buttonhole; his hair had been
carefully attended to, though no brush
could get the kinks out Of 1t, and he
wore a beautiful smile. He approach
ed the rope. examined II. tested it to
discern whether it would hold. then
tried to get the loop over his head.
II can't do it," he said. land If l
could wouldn't hang with any con-
venience, for the rope is too short. !
demand my rights to be hanged safely,
and there's no safety in that gallows
at all, at ALL"
Taking cuddy pipe and some to-
bacco from his pocket. he rubbed the
latter between the palms Of his hands.
filled his pipe. scratched a match on
his leg and began to smoke.
The sheriff called some one to i'm
prove the gallows. and Pat smoked
and pictured to him In words what an
inhuman calling was his. II forgive
yc for what you're goin' to do to
me-" said Pat. but dye think yen
be forgiven by our patron saint?
have an idee that the hottest part of
purgatory is kept for those who make
livin' by stretchin' necks and chop
pin Off heads. AS for me, don't men,
ton 1t. wouldn't grudge you the pay
yen git for maxim me a corpse for q
hunder years Of life"
The sheriff was much affected by
this address and said he'd rather Pat
would hang him than he hang Pat.
"How long must | be hangin'?" ask
ed Pat.
"The law says an hour"
well. thin, get at It. It's an hour
before supper. I'll be too early for 1t
in this world, and don't want to be
too late for 1t I'm the other"
AS the rope was adjusted Pats
friends crowded up on to the scaffold
to bid him goodby. When he was
swung off he fell against one Of them
-purposely In the way-which some
what broke the fall. When 1t was over
the sheriff turned his back. and while
doing so Pats friends somewhat re-
lieved the strain OIL his neck by hold
ing him up by the waistband. But
this they were only enabled to do
when the sheriff was not looking.
At the end of an hour timed by set
back watches the body was let down.