Year: 1872

sequentiy procured divorce nom him in New
i0rk ana married again. During his stay In Liv-
young woman named Julia brought the daughter
OF 2 laboring man. Ten days after his marriage he
should send for her as soon a. he should be
able to provide home for and support
csn as ss ss sst S a nS sS s
that he was to suffer death for the murder
OF hls own mother. He received reply to his let
wife, as he said, expressed the deepest sorrow for
his fate. In giving this statement Morrissey
on 20 oe
number of sailors in New York who will remember
me very well when they see this In the HERALD
can save one Of them from the evils OF intemper-
ance l am satisfied" During the conversation
which ensued Morrissey, though he did not deny
the killing OF his mother protested his innocence
OF having killed her with premedtati0n, as charged
by some, and that he was unconscious, having no
recOllectlOn OF the crime.


THE PREPARATIONS FOR DEATH.


Last Friday motion for q new trial was argued
peiore the General Term Of the Supreme Court, but
denied. On Monday one OF his counsel went In per-
son to Albany and nterceded with the Governor
lor reprieve, but In vain. When the news was
was much affected and at once resigned all hopes.
Yesterday afternoon l paid visit to the jail and
was greeted by the note OF preparation as entered
the yard, where the execution Is to take place.
found the carpenters were busly employed in the
the work Of erecting the terrible and aweinspiring





doomed to pass his last moments. Passing into the
jan, l found Morrissey pacing the west corri-
aSs.rc;no aSr In which his, his cell is situated:
hands with me me in 's cordial manner ns SnTHs TSe
palm Of his hand was cold and clammy, and he ap-
which was only Increased by the sounds Of the work
going on outside, During the dav he received from
the hands OF Bishop Ryan the rite OF confirmation.
Prior to our arrival he had just been In converse
ton with the daughters Of his victims-his sisters
and was deeply affected by their visit He con-
versed very freely about his life in calm, collected
manner, but when speaking OF the murder and his
victIm ne broke down completely and shed tears


CONVERSATION WITH THE CONDEMNED


When interrogated as to how he felt he said that
so ar as the future concerned he was perfectly
content ana ne was not afraid to face death, for
ne should die innocent of premeditati0n to kill his
mother. His trial. he claimed, was no trial at all;
that 1t was not such trial as would be given to
sentenced before he was arraigned. This asser-
tion ne said, 81 maintain to the very last moment
case suiilcient length Of time thew Wv Would
have taken into better consideration the mo-
tve which prompted me to the commission
to ask themselves whether did 1t for revenge for
money or in the heat OF passion. Oh, it's hard,
it's hard tell you, sir, to be compelled to die SO
ignominiOus death, without half chance for your
life but am thankful. can die feeling that shall
leave this world with mind made light by the
thought that, although struck the blow, did not
do 1T Intentionally and In my right mind, for was
maddened with passion that was increased hun
uIcu ucKTccS ny Cue liquor L uau uTuQk. NO human
heart could conceive such unnatural desire as to
take knife from his mothers hand, and with
IT deprive her OF life l entertain no hopes for
Executive interference at this time, as | have
heard nothing further from my sister, and the law
must take its course. entertain no hard feeling
toward any one on EARTH although did feel harshy
toward one OF the reporters on one or the morning
papers, because | felt that had been misrepre-
sented; but that Is passed and gone, and l shall
At this time one OF the spiritual advisers OF the
prisoner arrived, and took my departure.


HOW HE PASSED THE LAST NIGHT.


Last night MOrrissey sat up until twelve O'Clock,
conversing quietly and calmly with his two
Watchers who were Deputy Sheriff O'Brien and
the regular watchman Of the jail, Henry Beckstein.
At one O'Clock he lay down and managed to sleep
well until five O'Clock. This morning when he
arose he washed and dressed himself and ate q
hearty breakfast, consisting OF mackerel, boiled
eggs, bread ana butter asd coffee. At about half
past six O'Clock he was visited by some Of the Sis
Malloy, Of the Cathedral who has been his principal
At about quarter past eight O'Clock his two
law, David Sullivan, arrived at the jail and were
permitted to have an interview with their dying
relative-the last that would be afforded them
while on earth.


was OF most affecting character, and stout men
who were near found themselves unable to conceal
their emotions The poor girls wept frantically as
they looked upon their brother, knowing that the
they lavished their caresses upon him,
clingng to his neck and shedding bitter
tears, Morrssey yas for mou time an:
any degree of composure. lie bore up well under
the circumstances however, and administered his
sisters such comfort as 1t was In his power to give.
They remained for considerable length OF time;
and, when the final parting came, 1t was with the
greatest difficulty they could be moved.


THE SCAFFOLD


was erected In the northeast corner OF the jail
yard, upon an improved plan-one that seemed
the front were two large scantiings, extending
upwards about thirteen feet and supporting
cross beam, having in the centre large and strong
iron hook, to which heavy twenty-fOur thread
Manila rope, nine and a half feet in length and
about as large IN circumference as u mans thumb,
was suspended Below this beam was the fatal
drop, held In position by bolt attached to an iron
lever fixed in the east side OF the scanod. Six feet
was to be given to the fall. The raised platform
the northeast corner was flight OF steps,
twelve in number. In springing the trap all
which would shove the lever down, the bolt being
oiled, and the door giving way, would fly down and
be caught by spring IN one OF the uprRhrs, and
would not therefore, ny back and hit the body OF the
man as he fell, as has been the case heretofore.


A cushion had also been placed back Of the
spring. in order that the sound OF the drop striking
the side OF the upright might be deadened.


THE LAST RITES.


At ten O'Clock Father MallOy, accompanied by
two OF the ssterhoOd OF the Catholic Church,
entered the jail for the purpose OF holding
religious exercises, administering the sacrament
am s o Ine or
remained with him until the time set for the execu
tiOn. by nine O'Clock in the morning crowd had
gathered in the yard OF the old Court House, and
the door to the jail was besieged. Very few persons
were admitted however, the entrances being
guarded by policemen.


During the morning grim reminder of the fate
awaiting Morrissey arrived, In the shape OF the
coffin to contain his rematns--a handsome black
walnut casket with q silver plate, provided by his
relatives 1t was placed In the room just outside
the door OF the jail 1t bore the following inscrip
tiOn:-





PATRICK MORRISSEY.
DIED SEPTEMBER 9, 1872,
AGED 20 YEARS.