The Hanging of Patrick Boyle
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
On August 12, 1891, two men – John Muench and Patrick Boyle –
were “tramping” near Nameoki. They went to Charles Forcade’s
Saloon, where Muench treated Boyle to a drink. He laid down $1
and received 90 cents change from the bartender. They left the
saloon and started north on the railroad tracks. After
proceeding some distance, Muench stepped off the track. When he
was a few yards away, Boyle drew a pistol and shot Muench in the
back, telling him to give him all his money and everything else
he had. Muench handed over the 95 cents and a bundle, which
contained several shirts. Boyle then ordered him to go back
where they came from. Muench made his way to the saloon in
Nameoki. A doctor was called and the wound was pronounced
serious. Boyle was later arrested at Carlinville on a Chicago &
Alton fruit train. In the rail car was the bundle of clothes
belonging to Muench. The Madison County Sheriffs went to
Carlinville and took possession of Boyle. They waited for the
9:30 train, but it was late. As the Sheriff stepped into the
operator’s office, leaving the prisoner in the hands of his
assistants, Boyle escaped. He was later found in a farmer’s
field, still handcuffed. He was arrested once again and taken to
Edwardsville.
John Muench was placed in the hospital with
a bullet lodged in the lungs. He was suffering intensely, but
was able to identify Boyle and the bundle of clothes Boyle had
taken. Muench died on a Sunday morning. A trial was held and the
verdict was murder. Boyle was sentenced to hang, however
Illinois Governor Joseph W. Fifer stayed the execution until
January 23, 1892, to give time for the Supreme Court to review
the case. Patrick Boyle was hung on January 23, 1892. He was
buried in the Catholic Cemetery.
PREPARATIONS
FOR THE EXECUTION OF PATRICK BOYLE
Source: Edwardsville
Intelligencer, Wednesday, January 13, 1892
Unless the
governor stays the execution, Patrick Boyle will suffer the
extreme penalty of crime Saturday. The preparations for carrying
out the order of the court are being made. An enclosure has been
built sixteen feet high, on the south side adjoining the jail.
The scaffold is being constructed and will be erected in a day
or two. Architect C. Spilman has designed the structure and
Charles Pauley has had a force of carpenters employed in getting
out the frame work. Sheriff Hotz has received applications for
permits to witness the execution from all over the country. The
sheriffs of twenty or more counties have applied. These will be
given due consideration. Applications from other sources cannot
be granted. The law provides that the judges, prosecuting
attorney, clerks of the courts of the county, together with two
physicians and twelve reputable citizens and such ministers of
the gospel not exceeding three, as such criminal shall name, and
any immediate relatives of said criminal shall be present,
together with such officers of the prison, deputies and
constables as shall by him be deemed expedient, but no other
persons than those mentioned shall be permitted to attend.
The jurors and also the deputies and bailiffs, who are
necessary to assist, have been chosen. The death watch has been
put on. James Judd is with the prisoner in daytime, and John
Daniels does duty during the night. Boyle gives no evidence that
he realizes the awful doom that is before him. Father August
Schlegel, of St. Boniface's Church, attended him until Monday,
when Father J. C. Daw took charge of him. Rev. R. G. Hamilton of
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, has also been interesting himself
in behalf of the prisoner. Efforts have been made to have the
governor commute the sentence. Judge C. L. Cook has visited the
governor for that purpose. Father Daw and Mr. Hamilton have also
been to see him to make appeals for the prisoner's life.
The crime of which Boyle was convicted was committed on
Wednesday, August 12, near Nameoki. The evidence as brought out
at the trial proved that Boyle and a man named John Muench were
tramping, and met at Nameoki in the morning of that day. They
went into Charles Forcade's saloon, where Muench treated Boyle,
laid down $1 and received the change, 90 cents, from the
bartender, Louis Roeder. They remained around Nameoki until in
the afternoon, when they started north on the railroad track.
After proceeding some distance Muench stepped off the track.
When a few yards away, Boyle drew a pistol and shot Muench in
the back, commanding him to turn out his pockets and deliver the
money and everything else he had. Muench handed over 95 cents
and a bundle which contained several shirts. Boyle then ordered
him to go back where they came from. Muench made his way back to
Nameoki and went to the saloon where they had been during the
day. A physician was summoned who pronounced the wounds serious
and the injured man was put to bed. Telegrams were sent to
various points and Boyle was arrested at Carlinville, on a
Chicago & Alton fruit train. In the car in which he had been,
the conductor, H. B. Gates, found the bundle of clothes taken
from Muench. Sheriff Hotz and Deputy Vollbracht went after the
prisoner the next day, Thursday, accompanied by Louis Roberts of
Mitchell, who had seen Boyle get on the train at that station.
The man was identified and turned over to the officers. He was
handcuffed and taken to the depot. A train was due at 9:30 in
the evening, and the intention of the officers was to take the
prisoner away on that train. The train was late and at 3 o'clock
next morning, Friday, had not come. Sheriff Hotz stepped into
the operator's office to get information concerning the train,
leaving the prisoner in charge of his assistants. When the
officer returned the prisoner had gone. Search was instituted
but it was not until afternoon that Boyle was again apprehended.
He was found by a party of farmers in a field. He had applied at
different places and asked to be freed from the handcuffs. The
fact that he was handcuffed awakened suspicion. The shackles,
however, proved an easy means of identification. Boyle had
traveled 35 miles on foot with the handcuffs on. He was locked
up until Saturday morning, when Sheriff Hotz went after him. He
was brought here [Edwardsville] Saturday evening.
Muench
was brought up from Nameoki Thursday morning by Supervisor T. W.
Kinder and placed in the county hospital. The bullet had
lodged in the lungs and he was suffering intense pain. Dr. E. W.
Fiegenbaum had him under treatment. He saw that the condition of
the patient was critical and informed the officers. After
Boyle's arrival Saturday evening, he was taken to the hospital,
where a preliminary hearing was held by Squire John Hobson.
Muench, whose life was slowly ebbing away, positively identified
the prisoner as the man who shot him, and made a detailed
statement under oath of the shooting. He described the clothes
that were taken from him and said a laundry receipt was with
them. He was shown a bundle wrapped in a newspaper and asked if
that was his bundle. He replied "no," saying his bundle was done
up in reddish paper. The bundle had been placed in the newspaper
by the officers. The newspaper was taken off and the reddish or
brown paper bundle was found inside. When Muench saw the brown
paper, he stated that his bundle was wrapped in paper like that,
pointing to the paper. He described the garments, and when the
bundle was undone, every garment was found to correspond
minutely with his description. Muench died Sunday morning. Drs.
Edward W. Fiegenbaum and William Olive made a post mortem
examination. They found that the bullet had torn the left lung
and caused internal hemorrhage. The bullet extracted was found
to correspond in size to the chamber of the revolver which Boyle
had.
Coroner S. O. Bonner held an inquest Sunday
afternoon. The jury consisted of Monzo Keller, foreman; W. R.
Crossman, clerk; A. P. Wolf, G. B. Bickelhaupt, Frank Stillwell
and J. G. Barnsback. They returned a verdict that John Muench
came to his death from a gunshot wound from a pistol fired by
the hands of Patrick Boyle. The preliminary hearing of Boyle was
continued on the Monday following the death of Muench, but no
additional facts were brought out. Boyle claimed that he had
never seen the man until after being arrested. He was committed
to jail without bail to await action of the grand jury.
EXECUTION
OF PATRICK BOYLE STAYED BY GOVERNOR JOSEPH W. FIFER
Source:
Edwardsville Intelligencer, Wednesday, January 20, 1892
Public interest in the case of Patrick Boyle, who is under
sentence for the murder of John Muench, continues unabated. The
Intelligencer's extra Saturday contained the particulars of the
respite granted by Gov. Joseph Fifer, in detail. Sheriff George
Hotz received the official document, Saturday evening. It reads
as follows:
"To the Sheriff of Madison county, State of
Illinois - Greeting. Whereas, At the October term, 1891, of the
Madison county Circuit Court, Patrick Boyle was found guilty by
a jury of the crime of murder and was by said court sentenced to
be hanged by the neck until dead on the 16th day of January, A.
D. 1892, and Whereas, For good and sufficient cause I have
determined to postpone the day of execution of the said Patrick
Boyle until Saturday, the twenty-third day of January, A. D.
1892. Now, know ye therefore, that I, Joseph W. Fifer, Governor
of the State of Illinois, by authority in me vested by the
constitution and laws of this state, do, by these presents,
hereby order and decree that the execution of the sentence of
the court in this case be stayed, postponed and continued until
the 23rd day of January, A. D. 1892, at which date you will
proceed to execute said sentence, directed, and fail not
therein, unless said sentence is set aside or modified by the
order of the Governor of said State of Illinois, or by the
judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and cause the great
seal of state to be affixed. Done at the city of Springfield,
this 16th day of January, A. D. 1892. Joseph W. Fifer."
The respite was granted in order to give Boyle's attorney an
opportunity to have the case reviewed by the Supreme Court. The
record has been made up and will be presented to one of the
Judges of the Court tomorrow.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE
EXECUTION
Preparations for carrying out the sentence were
completed a week ago. Architect C. J. Spilman designed the
scaffold and Chalres Pauley had a force of carpenters get out
the frame work. The open space on the south, between the jail
and the store building of C. H. Kraft & Co., was enclosed with a
board fence, sixteen feet high. The scaffold was erected in
about the center of this enclosed space. The south door of the
jail opens to the stairs leading to the scaffold. The gallows
consist of two main posts, eighteen feet high, joined on top by
a cross piece, in the middle of which is fastened a ring, to
which will be attached the rope. Around this structure is a
frame work which supports a floor, eight by eight feet, nine
feet from the ground. In the center of the floor is a trap, 9
feet 8 inches by 3 feet 4 inches, hinged on one side, and
fastened on the other with a subtle trigger bolt, worked by a
hand lever. In the center of the trap door was placed a stool or
box about 18 by 18 inches, six inches high, on which the
prisoner stood. A slight pull of the lever springs the bolt, and
the trap drops and is caught by a steel spring, which prevents
the door from rebounding. The rope was furnished by C.
Wilkinson, successor to Bob Humphrey, who for many years
supplied the ropes for such purposes, in this entire section of
country. It is woven of American hemp, is twenty feet long and
three fourths of an inch thick. It had a knot and a noose tied
in it.
Hundreds of applications for permits to witness
the execution were received. Sheriff Hotz decided to give no
undue publicity to the occasion. Sheriffs of neighboring
counties who applied and the officers of the courts received
cards. Other applications were not granted. The following is a
list of those to whom cards were issued: Sheriffs H. D. O'Neil,
Macoupin County; Cosmos Keller, Jersey County; Henry Michael,
Montgomery County; A. L. Dawson, St. Clair County; J. C. Wright,
Bond County; Adam Junker, Clinton County; James E. Tedrick,
Effingham County; John Knoeppel, Scott County; Charles Wieseman,
Deputy, Hancock; and H. D. Langley, Deputy, St. Clair County;
also to W. C. Dowell, Deputy Warden; Colonel E. A. Burke and
Captain Thomas Sturges of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary;
Judges A. S. Wilderman, G. W. Wall, B. R. Burroughs, W. H. Krome
and J. E. Dunnegan; G. F. McNulty, States Attorney; Robert
Hagnauer, Circuit Clerk; H. Lanham, County Clerk; Francis
Brandeweide, Clerk City Court, Alton; George Kalbfleisch, County
Treasurer; T. P. Dooling, Superintendent; S. O. Bonner, Coroner;
James Anderson, Surveyor; Rudolph Raab, Marshal, and V. H.
Siegel, Treasurer, Carlinville.
SUFFERED DEATH! PATRICK
BOYLE FOR THE MURDER OF JOHN MUENCH
Source: Edwardsville
Intelligencer, Saturday, January 23, 1892
Patrick Boyle
suffered the punishment of death today as the penalty of murder.
The trap was sprung at ten minutes after 2 o'clock. This late
hour was chosen to grant the condemned man the utmost limit of
time within which the sentence was to be executed. The stay last
week came within a few minutes of the time set for the
execution. As an application had been made for a supersedeus,
Sheriff Hotz concluded to avoid any appearance of undue haste.
The respite granted by Governor Joseph Fifer, last week, was
followed up with renewed efforts on part of the attorneys and
friends of Boyle. L. N. Staats and W. P. Early, his attorneys in
the trial of the case, received the assistance of Judge C. L.
Cook. Failing to secure a commutation of sentence to life
imprisonment, they sought intervention from the Supreme Court by
making application for a writ of supersedeus. The record of the
case was made up Wednesday and Judge Cook left with it in the
evening to have it reviewed by one of the Supreme judges. The
following telegraph was received last night:
"Springfield, Illinois, January 22. George Hotz, Sheriff Madison
County, The writ was denied in Boyle case. C. L. Cook."
Boyle manifested no perceptible interest in the efforts which
were being made in his behalf. He has been under guard for
several weeks. James Judd remained with him during the day time
and John Daniels at night. The other prisoners showed him
special deference. He had his own way and was considered
authority on matters pertaining to prison conduct. He went to
bed last night at 10 o'clock and slept until 6:15 this morning.
He awoke once during the night, but did not get up from his
couch. When he awoke this morning, he was ill-tempered. At 7:00
o'clock he was shaved and immediately after dressed himself in
the clothes provided for him a week ago. Shortly afterward,
Reverend J. C. Daw, his spiritual adviser, offered him
consolation and administered the sacraments. After the priest's
departure, he called to his cellmate to send him a cigar. He
smoked it and then had breakfast. He had prepared a long list of
dishes that he desired, comprising oysters, fish, five or six
kinds of meats, vegetables, three kinds of pie, port, sherry and
angelica wines, three ounces of brandy, and one dozen of Key
West cigars. His wishes were complied with as far as
practicable. He drank a cocktail, then started in on breakfast
with oysters. He ate much more than last Saturday morning, and
drank three cups of tea. After he had finished, he passed what
was left to the prisoners occupying the cells nearest him. He
used a stick to pass the steak and similar articles. When he
came to dispose of the eggs, he spread a piece of paper on a
broom and placed the articles on the paper. After breakfast he
appeared to be in better humor. He lit another cigar and began
promenading the corridor, bumming a song or whistling. At one
time during the morning he thought of the drop and inquired of
his guard and the reporter of the Intelligencer if a fall of six
feet was sufficient to break one's neck.
At 11:30
o'clock, Sheriff Hotz went in to read the death warrant. The
prisoner waived the reading of it, the paper having been read to
him last week. The Sheriff then told him to be ready at 2
o'clock. Boyle showed no emotion. Dinner was then served. Boyle
ate a little of nearly everything brought him. After dinner he
lit a cigar and commenced pacing the corridor. At two o'clock,
Deputies John H. Glass, Ferd Vollbracht and Pat McCambridge
entered the jail and tied his hands in front of him. Sheriff
Hotz admonished those present to keep quiet as the time for the
execution was approaching. The deputies brought the prisoner,
who was accompanied by Father Daw, to the scaffold. He took
position on the box on the trap. Deputy John Glass tied his
legs. Sheriff Hotz asked him what he had to say. He replied,
"Give my body to Father Daw." Deputy McCambridge then drew the
black cap over his head. Deputy Vollbracht adjusted the noose.
The trap was sprung immediately, the time when it fell being
2:10. Drs. Pogue, Peter Fischer and S. T. Robinson took position
beside the body and between 2:18 and 2:19 pronounced him dead.
He died without drawing a muscle. The body was cut down thirty
minutes after the trap was sprung. The body was taken in charge
of C. J. Leuckel for Father Daw, with instructions not to remove
the black cap.
The jury empaneled consisted of A. Keller,
Nicholas Selp, Joseph N. McKee, Moritz Wilhelm, William Bond,
Pat Flynn Sr., Henry Brockmeier, H. E. Prickett, Jones Tontz,
Dirk Devries, P. Schmidt and Barney Fahrig. The deputies who
guarded the jail and jail yard were: Gail Stubbs, Fritz Fiesler,
Henry Walters, John Grigsby, Henry Harles, William Flynn, Ben
Peters, C. H. Bartels, Henry Wieneke, Joe Burkhardt, Ed Jaggers,
George Brendle and Martin Fischer.
LETTER FROM JOHN
MUENCH'S MOTHER
Rev. August Schlegel, of St. Boniface's
church, who administered the sacraments to John Muench, is in
receipt of a letter from the parents of the latter. They reside
at Altdorf, Canton Uri, Switzerland. The letter was written in
German by his mother and the parts of interest read translated
about as follows:
Altdori, Switzerland, January 6, 1892.
Rev. Father Schlegel, Edwardsville, Illinois:
With a
sorrowful heart I address your Reverence to express our
heartfelt gratitude and thanks, and at the same time give my
excuse for the delay in answering your sad missive. The letter
conveying the sad news of my son, John's, unfortunate death
reached here August 29. My husband, on finding its contents, was
deeply affected through the sorrowful tidings, and, as you may
readily comprehend, troubled and distressed for a considerable
period. Repeatedly I came upon him while consulting the map of
America, his mind buried in thought, and I also observed a
letter in his hands which he, trembling, sought to hide from my
view. I dared not question him, thinking he had received news of
relatives in Nashville, the character of which he perhaps wished
to keep to himself. As a careful and solicitous husband, he
wished to withhold from me the heavy blow which the knowledge of
the contents of your letter would undoubtedly prove, the reason
for his silence being perhaps partly due to an affliction of
heart disease with which I have been suffering. But a mighty
will rules all.
New Year’s my anxiety grew intense and
my anxiousness unbearable. That John was ill, I was certain,
otherwise he would not have been silent so long and would have
at least remembered his dear parents during this joyful season.
The mail carrier appeared three times daily, but brought no news
from America; not a word from the absent son in a strange land.
Entreaties and tears at last induced my husband to inform me of
the sad fate of my dear departed son, and of the cheering and
consoling words which your Reverence added regarding his
unfortunate ending. I pray that Almighty God may repay you a
thousand-fold for your aid in his last hour, and that He may
admit into eternal glory the soul of my loved son. That we must
all die, God in His wisdom has decreed, but that my son died in
so terrible a manner I can hardly realize; that in the prime of
youth an innocent life must end so sadly, I cannot comprehend.
Never, since he was a child, have I known him to take part in
quarrel or dissipation, and his whole nature and character were
made up of a desire for peace, love and justice. I most
earnestly hope that your words of consolation, that my son was
innocent of all blame, are based upon facts.
Oh! what a
blessing to be granted the grace to receive the last rites of
the church in the last hour, and to prepare to meet our God. I
am sorry that we cannot show our gratitude to your Reverence in
a more material way for your kindness toward our deceased son. A
sincere and grateful thanks is all we can offer, as we are
ordinary laboring people. Our education is limited to the
elementary. We were born and raised in this same village where
we live. John was born in 1865. It was his own resolution to
seek his fortune in America three years ago. How glad we did not
influence him or planned his departure from the land of his
childhood. With energy and courage, he departed from parents,
sister, brother, relatives and friends, to go to a strange land,
and to aid, if possible, through his earnings his family across
the Atlantic. Who does not have faith in America's golden
opportunities! But he found himself disappointed. In the
beginning he lived with relatives at Nashville, Tennessee, and
we heard of him through them and himself. But after he left for
St. Louis his letters became less frequent. His last
never-to-be-forgotten missive arrived January 2, 1891, with a
promise to send some money which came in February. We
acknowledged our appreciation and thanks, knowing that it came
from willing and perhaps needy hands. May we ask you that when
you again enter the silent city of the dead, where lie his
mortal remains, to offer a prayer for his soul in behalf of his
parents, sister and brother.
Most gratefully, Mrs. J.
Muensch and family.
PATRICK BOYLE'S REMAINS TAKEN TO
CEMETERY. NEWSPAPER SOLD OUT.
Source: Edwardsville
Intelligencer, January 27, 1892
The details of the execution
of Patrick Boyle for the murder of John Muench, Saturday, as
published in the Intelligencer extra, were complete to the hour
of going to press. The remains were taken in charge at the jail
yard gate by Roa & Dale, the undertakers, and were kept by them
until next morning. The interment took place Sunday morning in
the Catholic Cemetery. The demand for extra copies of the
Intelligencer containing an account of the affair far exceeded
the supply. The paper was on the streets one hour after the
execution. The newsboys reaped a harvest. Carl, the son of F. G.
Girnt, hobbled around on his crutches and in two hours sold 84;
George Belk's corps disposed of 170 before nightfall, and George
Martin sold 48 on his round with the evening papers. Calls for
copies continued to come in Monday, but the supply was out. An
extra run was made Monday morning for out-of-county subscribers.
The public wanted the news. The Intelligencer supplied it.