The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-05
THE GARDNER TRAGEDY.

The .sentence-The Awful Death-The Corcu
ncr's Inquest.
correspondence Of the Baltimorv SUM-
WAsHrNGT0N, March s. 1854.
Quite unexpectedly to every body, the jury in the
case Of George A. Gardner this morning entered the
court room; about half past eleven o'clock, with q
verdict. The prisoner was seated in the court room
and rs the jury took their places he peered scrut
nisingy into their faces as ii to elicit one favorable
inclination. Disappointed in this, death-like pale
ness spread over his features; modification and
despair appeared to paralyze his whole system. The
After the Verdict was announced, Mr.. Bradley. ous
OF the counsel for the Defence stated that the
had prepared to file o bl of exceptions. and thew
would prefer to have judgment pronounced inn
DR.: George A. Gardner was then called upon to
stand up and receive the sentence of the law which
Judge Crawford pronounced as follows s:-
You have been convicted by jury of your country
the crime OF false swearing touching the expenditure
public money, and in support Of claim against the
United States Perjury in its nature and general
strikes at the root Of all the securities which society is
bound 70 extend TO and maintain the citizen he
particular offence charged upon you and upon which tho
jury have passed. whether considered reference TO the
complicated plot BY which its objects
to the amount OF money obtained from the
on the award of the commissioners appointed to decide
upon The claims under the treaty with Mexico Februa-
ry 1885, Is one OF unusual enormity To address such
observations must to every man who knows the
circumstances thai surrounded you person Of your
conceded ability it would be useless or yain-useess If
they have arisen in your own mind vain if thew have
not From your fate others should lcarn that no plan
however remote its origin with whatever forecast laid
length executed with whatever success for time at
tended can be so devised escape detection
The ingenuity or the network spread out
this trial. and the fact that has at the last
stage ought not to fail of beneficial effect in
all men that If they will trample on laws human and d.
vne they shall suffer for It, The sentence of the Court
s that suffer in the penitenary for the District Of
Columbia imprisonment and labor for the period Of ten
years.
After the sentence was pronounced the prisoner
was taken to the Jail in custody of the proper officer
Mr.. Bradley, the prisoners counsel, was present,
and having been seated, some conversation took
place between them. Gardiner then took glass Of
water and signifed his readiness to 60 to Jail. Mr.
Smith, the warden Of the JAIL and Mr. Wilson, bair
OF the court, then accompanied him over. On enter
ing the guard room Mr.. Gardner took chair, and
in about i've minutes was seized with severe At
and fell to the ground cutting his head. Physicians
were soon sent for and ne soon recovered. Several
fits in quick succession followed. He was cupped,
and every remedy used without effect. During
these suierings Gardner called Mr.. Bradley to his
sde told him he was dying, and that he died inno-
cent. -.
Gardner died about three o'clock. This melan.
choly occurrence has shocked our citizens, and as
thiais clOsedwe are waiting for Coroner w oodward
to convene jury OF inquest and the physicians are
preparing to hold post mortem examination on
The court, after sentencing Gardner, adjourned
until Monday next, when it commences new term,
and the spectators present cleared out. Not more
than half an hour elapsed between the appearance
OF the jury in the court and the final closing Of the
scene: Gardner's counsel had fled bill Of excep-
tions before the District Court.
M DEATH OF THE CONVICT.
WASHINGTON, March 3-10 Pm.
1t appears that this morning Gardner knew that
the jury had stood ten opposed to him and two in
fAYnr 2f him but their subsequent delay created
msss ss Ees wsaa n AiHs n faiSld tg d6Eae
neatly and handsomely, proceeded to the court
room. The first emotion he has ever evinced during
the trial was when the jury came into the guard
room. He then took q chair, drew up to the table,
and took out of his pocket the letters which he de-
stroyed. He then wrote letter, put it In his
pocket, and commenced another, when he was sud-
denly seized with spasms and fell back cutting the
side of his head against the desk.
Gardner Immediately called for water and then
for brandy. There being none, he drew from his
pocket quarter dollar, and Dr. Birch sent mes
senger for some. On the return of the messenger,
Gardner reviving, refused the brandy. He then
gave his brother the letters and others the contents
menced. Gardner and his brother wished no ply
scian, because, as they stated, he was subject to
commissions. Several physicians came, however,
and used every means for his relief but without
avail.
The jury of inquest examined several witnesses in
the presence Of the District Attorney and the coun-
sci on both sides but there was no evidence that
he poisoned himself, as had been generally sup
posed.
The inquest adjourned until tomorrow morning,
when post mortem examination will be held. The
public opinion Is at this time very confident that he
poisoned himself. Crowds surrounded the Jail until
dark and there is considerable excitement on every
hand.
His counsel's exceptions to the bill were con-
tanned in twenty-nine counts. The general opinion
is that the Circuit Court would have granted new
trial. M.
TELEGRAPHIC