HANGINGS IN DUBUQUE

HANGINGS IN DUBUQUE. Through 1889 there were three hangings performed in Dubuque. The first was also the first hanging in Iowa. The last hanging in Iowa was associated with Dubuque but was done elsewhere.

The first hanging in Dubuque was the result of a murder committed by Patrick O'CONNOR who murdered his partner in mining, George O'Keaf, on May 9 1834. O'Keaf had been to Dubuque to purchase supplies earlier in the day. When he returned to the cabin the two men shared, he found the door barred and O'Connor unwilling to open it. O'Keaf forced the door open and was shot by O'Connor. O'Keaf's attorney asked the jury to send the prisoner to Illinois for a trial. The prosecutor claimed other in such circumstances had escaped "justice" through habeas corpus. The execution was carried out near the courthouse and the remains were found years later during the digging of a building's foundations.

The second hanging in Dubuque was the result of a murder by a tailor, Francis Gillick. On March 30, 1858 he shot his wife under the influence of liquor when she tried to prevent him from returning to the saloon. When arrested, Gillick admitted that he had committed the murder, an act he had long wished to do. Gillick's death sentence was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court which ordered a new trial. Gillick was found guilty again,, buy appealed the verdict. The Supreme Court affirmed this sentence and Gillick was hanged on April 27, 1859 at EAGLE POINT. It was reported that there was not a roof adjacent to the site of the hanging which was not 'black with people' who wished to watch the execution.

The third execution was that of Daniel Clifford who with a companion, Edward Mooney, murdered a miner, Charles Woods. When Woods proposed to buy drinks for everyone before leaving for St. Louis, Clifford and Mooney noticed he had a great deal of money. The men robbed Woods by Clifford hitting him over the head. He did not die, however, until two days later and was able to identify his assailants. Clifford was hung while Mooney was allowed, by order of the governor to enlist for combat in the CIVIL WAR. About an hour after Mooney arrived for duty, the troops were ordered into battle. Mooney was the first killed. (1)

The last person hung in Iowa was the murderer of Dr. Edward BARTELS.

---

Source:

1. "Dubuque's Hangings," The Herald February 17, 1889, p. 8