In the Time of the Candle

1895

In domestic lighting for nearly the first half of the present century candles hold undisputed sway. Old stagers may yet recall the dimly lighted parlor, the fire burning softly in the twilight, where the elders kept blind man's holiday. The bell is rung, and Mary brings in candles, a pair of molds in tall brass candlesticks, brightly polished, with snuffers on a tray — a sharp beaked snuffers of steel, with jaws that opened and shut with a snap, and something sinister in their appearance.

There were plated candlesticks and snuffers, too, for occasions of state, with silver branches that suggested the spoils of Jerusalem, but there was also a lamp, a stately edifice of bronze that towered over the family circle at times and shed a generous and genial light when so inclined. But what a demon it was to smoke and to smell! And it would burn, when it condescended to burn at all, nothing but the very finest sperm oil at a fabulous price per gallon. — All the Year Round.

Old Ways of Keeping Time

1910

Devices That Were Adopted by the Egyptians, Romans and Early English People

As far back as history will take us we find that there was always some crude means of reckoning time. The clock is, of course, a comparatively modern invention, the first mechanical ones that would keep the time even approximately having been made in 1250 A.D.

The early Egyptians divided the day and night each into 12 hours, a custom adopted by the Jews or Greeks probably from the Babylonians.

The day is said to have been first divided into hours in 293 B.C., when a sun dial was erected in the temple of Quirinus at Rome. As early as 158 B.C. the time was called in the streets of Rome by regular public criers.

In the early history of England we are told that the people found a means of measuring time by the use of wax candles. It was reckoned that three inches of candle would last an even hour.

Among most of the nations of the north day began at sunrise, while among the Athenians and Jews it began at sunset. With the ancient Romans it began, as it does with us, at midnight.

At Mauch Chunk, Four Men Hanged This Morning

Pennsylvania, 1877

AT MAUCH CHUNK

How Kelly, Doyle, Campbell and Donahue Met Their Fate.

MAUCH CHUNK, June 21. — The condemned men went to bed a little after midnight. This morning they arose at 4 o'clock, and dressed themselves with scrupulous care. At 6 o'clock the counsel for Kelly bade him goodbye. Kelly thanked him for his legal efforts. Donahue said he had nothing to say to his counsel, and said, "Get out of my cell."

The other two men shook hands with the counsel. The stores in the city were all closed. At 9 o'clock the Easton Grays, of the Fourth Regiment, with 35 guns, were stationed outside the jail. The prisoners passed the greater portion of the night in praying, and candles were given them to read their prayer books. Donahue prayed alternately with his book and rosary. Kelly and Donohue were dissatisfied with the sickly glare of the candles, and blew them out. Campbell and Doyle kept theirs lighted. Campbell said Captain Linden and the Shenandoah "Herald" reporters knew he was an innocent man, but they were afraid to admit it.

ON THE SCAFFOLD.

All the arrangements for the execution were made at 10 o'clock. Shortly after the Deputy Sheriffs, reporters and other assistants entered the corridor. The Sheriff adjusted the ropes and called his assistants to him. In a few minutes Campbell's cell door was opened and he appeared, accompanied by the priests. Campbell walked quickly to the scaffold, ascending with a light step. The priest read the prayers for the dying, the prisoner responding and repeatedly kissing the crucifix, and turning his pale face upward, his lips slightly moved in prayer. Doyle was next brought out. He walked upon the scaffold unassisted. John Donahue walked boldly out and up the steps of the scaffold. Kelly came last, and seemed quite strong. They were each attended by a priest. None of the four evinced very much nervousness. The priests prayed for several minutes, the prisoners kneeling and responding.

THE FATAL FALL.

After the priests left the scaffold Sheriff Raudenbush and two assistants adjusted the ropes. The Sheriff examined each prisoner carefully, and then asked if they had any thing to say. Campbell replied that he forgave everybody, and continued, "I have not an enemy in the world at this moment." Doyle spoke for some time, but his words were inaudible, except to the Sheriff and priests. Donahue had nothing to say, and Kelly recited after the priest a plea for forgiveness. The Sheriff left the scaffold, and in half a minute pulled the rope which let the trap fall.

The doomed men fell at 10:54. In a moment the bodies began swinging. Kelly, Doyle and Campbell died easy. Donahue drew himself up and struggled for two minutes. Doyle's heart ceased to beat in 12 minutes, Campbell's 14 minutes, Donahue's in 6 and Kelly's in 7½ minutes. From the beginning to the end there was not a mistake.


WILKESBARRE, PA., June 21. — Lanahan, the Molly Maguire, was executed here at 10:40 this morning.

—The Indiana Progress, Indiana, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1877, p. 1.