1896: Patrick Coughlin, shot in the mountains
December 15th, 2018 Headsman
From the San Francisco (Calif.) Call, Dec. 16, 1896.
UTAH MURDERER EXECUTED
Patrick Coughlin, the Slayer of Two Officers, Shot to Death in Rich County.
SALT LAKE, Utah, Dec. 15. — Patrick Coughlin was executed in Rich County, this State, this morning, for the murder of Deputy Sheriff Dawes and Constable Stagg, in July, 1895. Coughlin chose shooting as the method of his taking off. [He could have opted for hanging -ed.] He was pinioned, blindfolded and seated on a stationary chair, and six deputy sheriffs fired simultaneously, aiming at the heart, over which a piece of white paper was fastened. Every shot pierced the mark and death was instantaneous.
Photo of the arrangement of Coughlin’s execution. Via the University of Utah, whose watermark appears in the center.
Coughlin was about 23 years of age, a native of Pennsylvania, and came to this State when quite young. For some years he was considered a hard character. In July, 1895, he and another young man, Fred George, stole a band of horses and were pursued by officers. For over a week they eluded capture, and several times when brought to bay fired upon their pursuers, escaping further into the mountains. They were surrounded in a little cabin, and when called upon to surrender fired repeatedly, killing the two officers named and wounding others before the posse retired.
Several days later they were captured, 150 miles from the scene of the killing. Both were tried on the capital charge and Coughlin was sentenced to be shot and George to a life term in the penitentiary.
Coughlin’s execution took place near the spot where the murders were committed, up in the mountains.
On this day..
- 1975: Lex Aronson, aid worker - 2019
- 1950: Shooting on Seoul's Execution Hill - 2017
- 1882: Myles Joyce, Maamtrasna murder miscarriage - 2016
- 1889: Abushiri, German East Africa rebel - 2015
- 1865: William Corbett and Patrick Fleming - 2014
- 1941: The massacre at Skede in Liepaja - 2013
- 1882: James Gilmore, the first hanged in Deadwood - 2012
- 1655: Henry Manning, Protectorate spy - 2011
- 1965: Joseph Bamina, former Burundi Premier - 2010
- 1983: John Eldon Smith, mafioso Willy Loman - 2009
- 1914: Regiment Mixte de Tirailleurs decimated - 2008
- 401 B.C.E.: Clearchus of Sparta - 2007
Entry Filed under: 19th Century,Capital Punishment,Common Criminals,Crime,Death Penalty,Execution,Murder,Shot,Theft,USA,Utah
Tags: 1890s, 1896, december 15, patrick coughlin, photography
