The New York herald., 1866-07-28
Hanging Of George P. Chase at
Joliet, Ill.
The Condemned was Penkentiary Convict,
and Murdered enc sfthe Wardens
Of tho state Prisep.
HIS SPEECH AT THE aALLQws.
ne DECLARED HIMSELF INNOCENT.
90. Go. 90.

CHICAGO, July ~. 1895
tho execution Of George p Chase for the murder e
Joseph Clark took place to-day Joliet in the county
jail Of VIII county, Illinois, in the presence Of the Sheriff.
jury and few spectators permitted 70 be present ~
the statutes OF our State
The murder was committed within the penitentary a
this Sass located Joliet and the murdered man. Oas
was deputy Warden Of that Institution Chase wne
there serving sentence for larceny committed =
Chicago For violation Of prison discipline Cara
called him from his cs when Chase spsang toward hin
and struck him terrible blow upon the len temple win
stone which he had previously concealed in his csz
The blow fractured the SKULL and Clark died from ths
wound after lingering for days in great suffering
Upon the trial the defence was insanity, very com.
defence In Illinois murder trials and the plea
ably and forciby urged by his counsel but proved q
no avail, and he was convicted.
After conviction the case went to the Supreme Court
and the Judgment was confirmed Chase . man a
about Ave feet seven inches in height. Of strong
and muscular build. light complexion sandy hais.
EXPRESSION e,uS sion Of counenancs For some time Pre-
vious TO his execution. under the TEACHINGS Of bio
change Of heart and pretended 10 become deeply rsl
gous and expressed supreme satisfaction With the man
Der Of his being taken on as he was confident y would
afford him immediate passport TO the bettcr world
At quarter TO one o'clock Chase having partaken q
the sacrament brought out OF his CELL He dsplayea
stolid air. The shroud and cap were adjusted by the
Sheriff, and his were pinioned. Prayer was then
offered by the attending clergyman, during which Chass
looked with nxed and apparently unconcerned stare q
the door Of the gallows which arranged with the
drop weight instead OF the customary trap
This was the rst execution had 10 VIII county,
and was especially important from It's expected ene&
upon the prison discipline Of the State Upon being
asked II he had any remarks TO make Chase said None
TO my knowledge don't think am guilty Of the crime
you charge me with. don't sec any proof that muir
dered the man. don't see that am guilty. think
have - good an explanation Of that ~ you have"
When his hands were being pnioucd he said, "Yoa
don't seem 70 appreciate mans feeingS, when you ue
20 tight"
When the cap being drawn down over his face -
d:-"I not ready for that yet was as innoceas
as any OF them. was as innocent a any man II The
United States admit that hanging is justice sup
pose rs; but hanging for thing man isn't guilty or
and can't prove I'm guilty Of is another thing, and sas
Justice"
The sherin asked him II he was ready, to which As
replied. ''Rcady SIR
At hall past the drop fell and the miserable
had expisted, far earth concerned his terrible
deed His death very easy, his neck being Instantly
broken. After hanging few minutes he was taken
down and tho attending physicians pronounced ihs
extinct.