New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-31
THE EXECUTION OF GEORGE AcKER.
Csrre,pondenee Of The n. Y. Tribune.

MoRnsrows, N. j., March %, 1860
For several months, much interest has been sxoiieS
by prisoner in County JAIL named George Aoksr.
who murdered an old malone Isaac Il. Gordon
between Boonton and Monville on the 18th Of octs-
Der last. These men had been drinking together ~
Provoet's tavern in Montville and Gordon, madS
foolish by liquor talked to bis companion about some
money he had-a go gold piece and some bilis,
amo unpg to less than $50. He not only talked about
the money, but showed IT, His companion forthwith
resolved possess himself of that money BY murder
ing its owner. 1t was late in the afternoon
when Acker started for Boonton, knowing thai
Gordon soon to follow along the same rosd. he
met John jackson Norris Of BARTON, and young
lady. lie coming out of the saw mill wnh
stout club, intending to use It, but after~ M
changed his plan. In little while Gordon came
along, and Acker joined him. At point IN tue 10 "a
where he could see long distance both ways, No
seized stone and threw 1t with all his might hitting
Gordon back of the ear. The man fell, and MS m,!
derer threw him over the road fence Jnst a. this
moment one Susan Taylor came aSng ana s ss.
thing dark at his teet but che was 60 much ien'enea
So not 10 identify the Tan tell what was at his fee
This tee imony considered almost incrediee eus
| the trial. He carried the body dinerpa
ard hat of bis victim to cuup o.
Of woods near at hand his victims throat aud ree
his pockets lie lett the boy there s,nrn 70 the
road and perceving he had blood his overails, he
scrsped up some mud from the road to cover IL A
this John Jackson Norris on his RETURN found ma,
noticed the blood bis clothes and hands and also ms
excited conduct. Norris's bat blew or and Acker
brought to him, and the wonder is that be did NOT
kill this one terrible witness who was then IN his power
Norris aeked him to ride but he declined, and tei.
lowed the towpath Of the canal In order 70 get nd
Of his blcody overals he rolled stone 10 them ssd
| east them into the canal IL 10 supposed thai Ia ME
excitement he put the bills he got from Gordon ME
4 a
piece be lost through hole in his pocket and tas ga
| fond the same day and restored 70 Gordons family
| afteiward. Thus Acker could have realized either
nothing or next 70 nothing for his murder.
| He Low went TO Boonton and Of course drank some
He returned 10 Montvie, where he lived, bought
bottle of Ium stimulated his courage and afser his
wife went to bed ke examined his pockets, and found
he had lost the money for which he committed the
murder. This was the first nsallment Of retributon.
he row left his house ard went 10 hide the body Of
bis victim. In his confession he declares It was q
horrible meetsg when that night ne stu nblsd agsra
the body of his victim. He seized n by
the necktie, and dragged it back TO the
fence taking the pail and hat, but leaving some other
things which were afterwsId found. He then shout
deIed the body and carried it to sand pat some rods
distant This was an afterthought as he originally
designed TO hide IN the woods near by Intne sand
pat he dug shallow grave with his hands and buried
him with no other help After several days tue BODY
wa, found by some boy Acker came with others, aud
AS they were taking the body directed the attention
Of those present to himself by thanking God that hs
dld not 90 IL.
he was arrested, ADD on the Both Of January his
trial began. The evidence entirely circumstan-
tal but conclusive. That of Norris was overwhelu-
ing. II is said that Acker admits that he for sev-
sral nights prowed about Norriss house, intending 10
put h m out of the way.
He il large man full six feet in stature, muscular,
| and extremely ignorant. he cannot read write
word. he is native Of Haverstraw, and has io'
| many years been very inttmpersts aud abauToned-
He leaves wife ard four children. He il thirty -four
yesrs old.
he manifested great flrmness during the trial. ,O3 o.
times since has shown signs Of regret but his gsEsr
demeanor has not been what might be expected und>r
the circumstances.
His execution was private In the sense of s being In
the Workhouse yard enclosure, IN the presenes u
800 persons. AS usual in such there was
rush for the tickets several thousand persons having
! applied.
This s the third execution within the present centa-
| ~. Many wears ago negro woman was hung Im
numbering her mistress while the family were scsens
| The second was La Blanc, foreigner VINO muroeaea
| the Sayre family, uuder circumstances OF peco"A1
| atrocity. -. ..-.., -
| La Bance and Acksr, though both ignorant aha
brnta could not muster courage for the deed wnhouo
1 drinking rum freely and IN each case tnis run va
bought at licensed taverns, and not IN sny conrsos~
The hanging to-day was BY means OF weights, whs a
| ;s,Lsd The body ND violently, brsking the mo- IL
sheriff Van Meas bias been very at1entve 70 MS Hs
s, rsTnctino him and doing what he could 70 prs-
oar. him for his fals The Methodist cergymss . TIA
Pev Mr. Van Cleue has been with him tbs N aay
| one else.