Since early in the morning preparations have been going forward for the tragedy to take place this afternoon. The place selected for the execution is on the west, or Highland side of Platte, near the F street bridge. A scaffold, with gallows and drop, has been erected, and everything is in readiness for the appaling [sic] scene.
    The prisoner has spent the last two days of his life in arranging his worldly business, settling his property upon his wife and children, and making a full confession of his guilt. The drama will soon close on his earthly career forever.
    At a little before three o'clock, the guard, consisting of Sheriff Wynkoop, Deputy Sheriff Shortridge and an efficient posse of special deputies, sworn in for the occasion, formed in front of the Criterion, and a little later the prisoner appeared and was escorted to the gallows. He spent some minutes in prayer, and in communion with the priest; confessed his guilt of the crime for which he suffered, and at nine minutes past three o'clock, was launched into eternity.--The fall broke his neck, and instantly ended his sufferings.
    Elsewhere we publish his confession, written by himself, and delivered to us after the drop had fallen:

                                                                        DENVER CITY, Dec. 20th.
    May God have mercy on my soul, and I ask pardon of Almighty God, and the people, for all my past sins, and may God help them and assist in their wants, and keep them in the true faith. May God bless them, and forgive me my sins.
    I was raised in Ireland, and went to Scotland to work, where I had plenty of money; and in England I followed railroading, and made a heap of money, and always was in good respect until I came to Denver.
    I used to be boss on Railroads, and keeping boarders in England and Scotland; also in Ohio and Illinois. I kept a boardinghouse in Louisville, Ky., and in Memphis, Tenn., and in New Orleans, and thanks be to God, my character was good in all these places.
    When I came to Kansas territory, times began to get hard, and I thought it better for me to come out here, and it was, if I could bring my family with me; but I, being used to my own table and my own bed, I got fretted, seeing the winter and getting craving letters from my family, set me in sorrow, and always when I would drink, the thoughts of them would run through my heart.
    Now I have to face my God, and my last crowd, hoping that I may get pardon for my sins, and begging the prayers of the people present to intercede for my soul.
    I am guilty for killing Thomas R. Freeman. I left with him, and did intend to do it the first night, and I could not do it then. I thought to do it going across the river to Cole's place--my heart was in dread to do it, and backed out again. We then went on to see the claim, and to try to buy hay at Hamet's, below Thos. Fay's, and we came back to Fay's and stayed all night, and next day started to go to Cole's, to have this claim recorded, where I did not like to let him spend any more money, as I did intend to have it.
    As we were coming up, I saw no person looking, and I lifted up the gun and snapped it at him, and I did not know what to do. He fell in the wagon, and I turned into the brush, and when I got out of sight of the road, I took him out of the wagon, and I left him where he lay; and the way that his skull got broke, his head fell against the fore wheel of the wagon. I got about eleven dollars on him, and did not want to search him any more, and when I got away, I took the horse, and everything that was found by Mr. Shortridge, and there is one pair of blankets at a ranch next to Fremont's Orchard, and lines at next house this side, and buffalo robe I do not know what I done with it.
    I think this is all, and I'm willing to lose my own life for it, hoping that God, in his infinite mercy, will pardon me. O Lord! I am not worthy even to ask pardon of the people for the great crime I have committed against Your will, for which crime I am willing to die. There is one thing more that I have to say: that in the evidence given against me, Mr. Shortridge gave in the fairest. There was two that would swear, and did swear lies. Mr. Shortridge told just as things happen, and never turned one word to convict or hang me. I forgive the whole world, and I hope to get pardon from God and the people.
    May God, in his infinite mercy, pardon me! I never was guilty of any crime of murder before this. May God and the people forgive me for it.
    All this is in my own hand writing, and is my free will, without any aid from any person.
    May God forgive me, and have mercy on my soul.
    I put this in the hands of Mr. Shortridge and Mr. Noteware, for publication after my death.
                                                                                PATRICK WATTERS.

    [The following is an explanation, given verbally to Mr. Noteware and Mr. Shortridge, and noted down by them.]

    I only put my hand in the right pocket. The money was in coin--gold and silver.--My reson [sic] for killing him was to get money to take me home.

Source:

Unknown, "The Execution of Waters," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Friday, 21 December, 1860, page 2.