Fornshell, Marvin E, The Historical and Illustrated Ohio Penitentiary (1907-1908, rpt. 1997 by Arthur W. McGraw) page 150

Patrick Hartnett (Prisoner 17465) was convicted of murder for killing his wife with an axe on January 31, 1884 in Hamilton County. He was executed on September 30, 1885. (See Execution News Story)

Above we reproduce the picture of Patrick Hartnett, the Cincinnati wife murderer, who was snatched from the gallows by Governor Hoadly in order that the man, already twice convicted by a jury of his peers, might have a chance to appeal to the court of last resort. That tribunal having refused to admit the case on error, and the Governor having finally declined to interfere, the doomed man will be executed in the Penitentiary between the hours of twelve and three o'clock to morrow [sic.] morning. Criminal Bailiff Joe Moses, of Cincinnati, arrived in the city at noon to-day, having in custody Bernard Quillen, a boy aged 15 years, who had been convicted of burglary and ordered transferred to the Reform Farm. He went to Lancaster this afternoon, but will return at 10 o'clock to-night to be present and assist at the execution. Sheriff Beresford, Deputy Sheriff Kelly and Dr. Carrick, Coroner of Hamilton county, will arrive at nine o'clock to-night. Deputy Moses had the death warrant and all the necessary papers authorizing the execution, which he left at the Penitentiary. The arrangements for this hanging are all complete, and nothing remains to be done by the Hamilton county officials on their arrival except to execute the sentence of the court by hanging the doomed man.

Hartnett still maintains a stolid indifference as to his fate. Warden Peetrey and Deputy Warden Marriott visited him this forenoon. He stated that he was ready to meet his fate, and expressed the wish that the time was at hand. To Deputy Marriott the murderer said that he did not desire a reprieve or a pardon, "Even if turned out here, "he said, "I would be of no account and it is better that I should die." He had just been shaved, and remarked that his execution could take place at once. Hartnett is to-day walking about the apartment in which the men under sentence of death are confined, and is apparently nerving himself for the final ordeal. There is nothing in his demeanor to indicate that he will, as some supposed, become sullen and stubborn before the time for his execution arrives. He is quiet and has but little to say, further than to express his desire that the hanging take place at the earliest hour possible, and declares his readiness to meet his fate.

There is scarcely a doubt but that Hartnett will remain cool until the last and march to the scaffold with a firm step. No indications of weakening are noticeable except a lack of that bravado which characterized his action just previous to the former date of his execution. He has been assured that all hope of a further stay of execution is gone, and has himself arrived at that conclusion, and this in a measure accounts for his more quiet demeanor. Hartnett has designated as his friends to be present at the execution Deputy Warden Marriott, Dr. Holmes and Guard John Parr. He insisted upon the presence of these gentlemen, and was careful to caution Warden Peetrey against allowing any change in this list. A the Sheriff has not yet arrived, it is not known which of the Cincinnati newspapers will be represented, but it is understood that the Enquirer and the Telegram will be the favored ones. Mr. George H. Gordon is here as the representative of the latter.

The crime for which Patrick Hartnett is to hang was committed January 31, 1881. He resided with his family in a single room of a tenement house, in Mt. Auburn, a suburb of Cincinnati. At an early hour on the morning of the murder, Mrs. Hartnett got up to prepare breakfast for her thirteen-year-old son, in order that he might go to his daily work. Hartnett, in a grand voice ordered his wife back. She obeyed and laid down on the bed. The brutal husband immediately rushed into a kitchen, secured an axe, returned and pulled his wife from the bed. He compelled her to say her prayers, and kiss the floor, while he held the deadly implement over he head. He charged her with unfaithfulness, which she denied, whereupon he struck her on the hip with the axe, felling her to the floor. Another blow crushed in her skull and she fell dead in full view of her five small children. The brutal murderer dropped the axe, lit a candle and went into the kitchen, where he picked up a newspaper and proceeded to dance a jig and sing Irish songs. The officers found him playing the jewsharp [sic.] over the body of his wife. He grabbed the axe and resisted arrest. The police were compelled to lasso him like a wild beast, in order to make him a prisoner.