The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-01-31

and medicines; how she repealed with
stealthy arts all attempts Of other neirhhors
to do anything in the way of nursing tn.
sick woman, and how when the poor Young
bride lay dying at last, tortured BY thirst
and shrieking with agony, her murderess
stood out by the gate, laughing, and saying,
= She Il go now pretty soon." The intensest
indignation prevailed against her, and if she
could have been placed during her trial un-
garded IN the rotunda of the Court House,
believe she would have been torn limb from
limb. Her bearing throughout was of the
most singular kind. Not sign OF emotion
was perceptibie in her demeanor. She would
come into the court room and leave it with as
firm as step and placid face as il she were
only going from the dining-room into the
Kitchen. The most narrowing details Of
murder she heard unmoved. When Mr..
Caruthers, the husband Of the murdered
woman, was placed upon the stand, and in
voice broken by sobs recounted the horrible
sufferings of His dead wife, and the court
and jury and assembly were almost overcome
with emotion, the only dry eyes in the room
were those of Martha Grinder; and when
at last the verdict guilty Of murder in the
first degree sounded in her ears, she heard
it without q sign of emotion, and went back
to her cell apparently without trembling in
single nerve.
AFTER THE TRIAL.
On the LIST Of December her sentence was
delivered. She was much overpowered on
this occasion, and also when her death war;
rant was read to her week later. The
latter time she went into violent Mysteries
Before the execution and until very recently,
the health of Mrs. Grinder has been very
miserable. Many have supposed she would
die before the day appointed for her execu-
ton. She came very near fulfilling these
predictions. On two or three occasions the
jailor was summoned into her cell, and one
night she swallowed strychnine before ii was
known she had it, and it was only by the
most strenuous efforts that her life was
saved. Many people supposed her to be
monomaniac In order that no doubt might
be left on the subject, medical commission,
consisting Of Drs. Irwin, Reed and King,
was ordered to examine her mental condition
on Wednesday last. They reported that no
sign of insanity could be discovered, and ac-
eordingly her execution was ordered to
proceed.
SPIRITUAL ADvIs Frs.
For the past few days she has been assiiu-
ously praying for death. Her spiritual
counsellors, the Rev. Drs. Holmes and Len
sabaugh Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
have been with her almost constantly. I'm
til recently, she has said she did not fear
death in the least, but day or two since she
said she feared she was too wicked to die.
AFFECTING INTERVIEW WITH HER HUSBAND.
The wrc ched woman was for some weeks
quite i'll, and took to her bed, which she kept
up to the day of her execution; but this last
intelligence broke her spirit, and when her
husband called to see her on Wednesday, he
was much affected by her condition, and the
unhappy pair sat together and wept for many
minutes-bitterly and earnestly. The inter-
view was cut short by Warden White, who
completely unnerve the wretched wife that
it would be necessary to carry her to the
scaifold. The poor fellow went away like
| one thoroughly broken-hearted.
THE LAST EVENING.
Last evening, however, she said that she
felt that she had repented sincerely, and was
prepared for heaven. She was very cheer
full. She ate hearty supper At Ii and
chatted and laughed almost gaily with the
warden, while her clergymen remained with
her, praying and conversing until o'clock,
when she lay down and slept peacefully
until {.
TIE MORNING OF THE EXECUTION.
On rising, she ate very hearty breakfast
and after praying, was dressed for the exc
cution. She manifested the most scrupulous
care in the arrangement of the final toilet.
She would have her hair carefully plated,
and even sent for oil to dress it with. Shortly
before the time appointed, her counsel, Mr..
Marshall, entered her cell. She greeted him
warmly, saying, 81 am great, great sinner,
but Christ is great, great Savior"
THE EXECUTION.
At one o'clock she was brought to the
scatfold, supported by Mr.. Holmes and Mr..
LensabaIgh. and preceded by Sheriff Stew
art. She walked firmly, and her face wore Z
placid smile. Her courage did not falter,
and she stepped upon the scaffold, not with
brayado, buth calm courage. After bidding
farewell to the officials and clergymen, the
moose was adjusted. Not muscle of her
face qnivered during the operation. At
four minutes after o'clock the drop fell, and
she had fulfilled the law. She died hard,
and for period Of several seconds the spas
modic jerking of her body and convulsive
twitching of her limbs were sickening to
look upon. Indeed, the spectators seemed
checked from the beginning, and even be-
fore the drop fell, many turned away from
the scaffold, unable to look upon the scene.
At ten minutes to two the body was still
hanging, but life had been some minutes ex-
tinct. And thus persisted Mrs. Grinder, one
of the greatest criminals Of her time.
THE CONFESSION.
For days past, rumors have been rife that
the wretched woman had made confession.
This morning she told lady visiting her
cell that she felt better now that the load was
off her mind. and SO it was known that she
had confessed. After the execution the Rev.
DR.. Holmes announced that ut 10 o'clock
last night Mrs. Grinder made the following
confession to himself and DR.. Lensabaugh:
PITTSBURGH, Jan. Is.
In view of my departure in a few hours
my guilt in the case Of Mrs. Caruthers, and
also in the case of Miss Buchanan; but lam
innocent of all the other charges made
against me in the papers for poisoning peo-
pie; but bad as have been, feel that God
for Christ's sake has forgiven me, and
through His mercy hope to find an entrance
into Heaven. die without any hard feel
ings to any one, forgiving all as hope to be
forgiven. Mr.. Stewart has been very kind
to me, doing all in his power to make me
comfortable, and pray that he may be as
sisted in his duty and be rewarded for his
kindness. MIR. White has also been very
kind and has treated me with respect always.
May God be good to him! If had been
faithful to my church duties it would have
been different with me now, but am thank
full that God is so good as to return to me
now that do try to come back to him.
her