The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-26

EXECUTION OF THE NEGRO GEORGE WILSON FOR THE
MURDER OF CAPTAIN PALMER--sCBNEs AND Incl
bbNTs AT THE sCAFFOLD-THE CULPRIr DENIES
HIS GUILT TO THE LAST MOMKcT-cURI0Us IN
STANCE OF RETRiBUTIvE JUSTICE.
The last act in the Eudora tragedy has been enacted
George Wilson, the murderer Of Captain Palmer of the
schooner Eudora Imogene at City lanc in the month OF
November last expiated his crime yesterday afternoon
by beng executed at the town Of White Plains Westches
Ter county in this state The cur died terror srcken
and onprepaTed to meet his Maker he lann hed into
eternity with lie upon his lips The hlarl,y aud hard
heare which characterized every action OF the cul
prit up TO the very day Of the execution entirely de-
serted him when the fatal moment arrived. He lived
blavado but died coward.
is scarcely necessary for 20 enter into the part
culars OF the horrid murder Of which Wilson
victed Sufficient for to say, tnat the morning OF
the Goth day Of November last Captain William Palmer
and Gilbert Pratt, Of the schooner Eudora Imogene,
were most brutaly murdered their beds, and their
bodies thrown overheard by the assassin The vessel
was scuttled TO eace all of blood but the
act WAS truitless behalf Of the murderer for
only served to the closely connect the extraordi
nary chain Of evidence which arrayod against the
perpetrator Of the double murder
Wilson was captured while making his from the
sinking vessel and detained in the prison White Plains
suspicion Of murder. Weeks aud months rolled past
and although almost superhuman exertions were made
to the bodies Of the murdered men, still traces
Of the corpses could be discovered The prisoner was
then brought to New York charge Of revolt and
ny but the Court was obliged to dismiss the complaints
for want Of jurisdiction in the matter Application was
made for the discharge Of the prisoner and there being
legal charge against him. it granted by the Court
and Wilson freed But he did not long remain SO,
for in day two afterwards he hod the fool hardness
to to the United States Marshals Office with view
OF obtaining old clothes Of his He walked into the
lions mouth indeed for the authorities in this city imme
diately arrested him charge OF revolt, and while he
remained the Tombs the body Of Captain Palmer,
strange say, turned up aud onco the prisoner
Gagged.
He was then taken to White Plains, where he was in.
dcted and tried for the murder Of Captain Palmer Tie
trial ended in conviction, and shereupon Wilson
sentenced to DEATH The conduct of the prisoner during
the trial, and while the jury celebrating upon
verdict Of life DEATH not marked by either pen
shame but the contrary he exhibited nothing
but reckiessness and harty during the entire proceed
ngs.
The feeling in the vicinity of City Island the place
where the murder was committed, was very stroug
against the accused and many threats of yncbiug hun
were made by persons who seriously meant what they
said The atrocty attending the murder created such
intense excitement in the surrounding townships that
for months ''the Eudora tragedy was the principal
theme of onversaton For the last three four day
The excitement attending the murder revived two-f fold
The execution of the person who could commit
such an atrocous crime an event looked forward TO
by thousands as q sort OF jGVlee.
THE EVENING BEFORE TIE EXECUTION.
Abou, six O'Clock the evening previous the day
Of execution reporter in company with about halt
dozen persons visited the culprt In his cell The pr
manaced hands and feet but nevertheless he
cheerful air and bade the visitors good evening
with the most perfect and familiarity Wilson was
ound sitting his bed in an Smost nude state and in
s position he talked and ,bittcd to all around him
with as much noneha'ancs though he was holding
evee at the 81. Nicholas In the Of the general
conversation Wilson mrde use of some express ons
which were really quite amusing. The clergyman til.
Rev. Mr.. Lockwood, of Newark, n. j. was prosea
during the interview, AMI upon bis asking the prisoner
he ever taw him before the culprt said he thought
bad and then turning TO of the reporters with
broad laugh upon hs face he exclaimed. 'An't he ik
sresr the confidence man.. Greer IT appears was con
~ ihe Tombs. AMI bore flight rcscu bance the cer
gynan's face The remark OF course caused no It'll
atriiment among the ajority OF those present.
On asking Wilson he feh well. he replied "Firsi
ato-I was sick few days ago, but now quite
mart. An want is plenty to ea, and plenty to
drink. Yes, sir-Eat drink and be merry, for 70
fow die"
on asking bin if lie liked strong drink, he said son
ses, wish had cup full NJ wine cow and you'd see
bow would drink and then turning one q the st
endants wlo was standing at the prison door, he
claimed, Here George old boss, fetch as drink Of
water II on can't give me any thing stronger, why
ter Will do"
some one asked him If be Catholic or protes-
tan in religious belief This seemed to amuse the pri.
soner most highly, fer, with great deal Of n1ge he
replied, well, guess am Know Nothing
Many other laughabe remarks were made by the pri-
soner all gong show that did the doom 10
which he had been sentenced. His bold demeanor had
an extraordinary and we might say, mysterious air
about H. He VA quite willing TO die yet refused al
rors instruction. Tor he said he wanted to be merry
while he lived, his time was short.
The clergyman despite the declarations OF the prison.
or, renamed IN fs cell all night with view possible,
OF socnng the hardened hoart but when the gray
lawn OF tho fatal morning appeared through the prison
bars, the culpr st unnoved and denied his guilt
to the worthy minister. Fer one moment and one mo.
ment only, the culpri became conslous Of his situation
and then, in the lonely hour Of midnight he threw him.
self down upon bis couch and exclaimed Oh, my God.
my Gcd.'' The name OF the Creator, In sscrcd use.
never passed his lrs since bis imprisonment until the
Almighty was only tho emotion OF the moment Tor again
he reapscd into y snllen and hardened state.
PRErARATIoNs FOR THE EXECUTION.
The preparation for the execution were made with
great by tho sheriff. Daniel II. Little Esq yard
sbou, twenty i've feet wide AM oryye feet long was
fenced in, and everything put readiness the
rying sut ofthe death penalty An IRON this
city was IN attendance upon the sheriff and employed
to doal the necessary work sctIod similar to those
used IN this city, was erected in the most substantial
manner. Six heavy OF aggregate Of 335 bs
were attached 10 the lower end of the nater.
Two military companies, the National Guards, Capt
sausan and the Sing ST. Guard, Capt Russel signi1ed
their willingness TO be ia attendance at the execution to
ieserve order. number OF deputy Sherfs were also
appointed so that everything, il presumed would
Pass on In perfect order.
The morning Of the day announced for the execution of
tho prisoner looked forward with greai deal OF
snxeiy By the citizens Of Wescheser county. All the
oen and boys In the couny foeked 10 the house.
even before breakfast hour aud commenced looking ou
or some place TO perch hnst upon to witness the
spectacle that was soon "a appear. Tents and Oyster
sands erected OUTSIDE a the Jail so that strangers
ceiling inclined to sal sy heir appetes might do so
without being put 10 the ncony encncc OF walking several
hpndree yards in the brulng sun.
Tie barrooms in the VILLAGE mast have sold an enor.
nous quantity Of bad brandy and 1at cider for there
teemed to be continual rush for the saloons where the
above liquors rctsilef.
Tue prisoner was closely clos I'd with he clergy man
9l the morning and requested Il be undsurbed by visit
Ills spirit seemed 10 have boen broken and the bravo
10 cf The evening previous then arfans coward
The near approach " dealt had most terrible eject ug
on the cuprt IN lew short hours The entire forenoon