The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-28
EXECUTION

Hanging of George p. Chase at Joliet,
nI.-The Condemned was a Peniten.
tiRry Convict, and Murdered one OF
the Wardens of the State PrIsOn-Hts
Speech at the GalIOWs-Ho Declared
himself Innocent, Etc.
CHICAGO, July 27--The execution of George 2.
Chase TOR the murder of Joseph f. CLARK took place
to-day AZ Joliet IN the county Jail of Will county,
Illinois, an the presence of the sheriff, Jury, and
few spectators permitted to be present by the
The murder was committed within the penitentiary
of this state, located at Joliet, and the murdered
man, Clark, was Deputy Warden OF that Insttu-
ton. Chase was there serving out sentence for
larceny committed at Chicago. For some violation
OF prison discipline Clark called him from his cell,
when Chase sprang towards him aud struck him a
terrible blow upon the left temple with stone
which he had previously concealed in his CELL The
blow fractured the skull and ClaIk died from the
wound alter lingering for some days In great
suffering, .'-t-.. ..
common defense in Illinois murder trials, and the
plea ably and forciby urged by his counsel but
IL proved OF no avail, and he was convicted.
After convection the case wenI to the Supreme
Court, and the Judgment was confirmed Chase
was a man OF about five feet seven inches in height
of strong and muscular build, light complexion,
sandy hair, blue eyes, and with very maign and
vicious expression OF countenance
4, FQr some time previous 20 ms execution, under
fessed 10 have experienced a change OF heart, and
pretended to have become deeply religious and ex'
pressed supreme satisfaction with the OF his
beng taken Off as he was confident it would anOrd
him an immediate passport to the better world.
| At quarter to oc ock Chase, having partaken
of the sacrament, was brought out of his cell. lie
displayed no unusual teeng, but looked around with
brutal, stolid air. Jhe shrOud and cap were ad-
iusted by the Sheriff and his arms were Pinioned.
Prayer was hen offered by the attending clergy:
man during which Chase looked with liked and
apparently unconcerned stare at the 9oor OF the gal
lows which was arranged with the drop Welght IN
| stead OF the customary trap.
/ Ihs was the first execution ever hed IN VIII
county, and espec ally important from its ex'
pt cted eect upon the prison discipline OF the State
| Upon being asked If he had any remarks to make,
| Chase said "None to my BnowledPe' don't think
| L am gull ty OF the crime you charge me with.
| don't see any proof that L murdered the man.
| don't see that / am guilty think have as good
| an EXPLANATION of that as you have" When his
\ hanus were being pinioDed, he said ''YOu don't
seem to appreciate mans feelings, when you tie
| me 20 tight" a
he said .-I am not ready for that vet. was as IN.
| noeent as any Of them 1 was as innocent a. any
| man In the United States. i admit that hanging is
insfiee suppose 1t js but hanging for thing
man ism guilty of, and can't Pm guilty or Is
| another thing and isn't Justice" nt al
The sheriff asked him If he was ready, to which he
Ht balfpast one the drop fell and the miserable
man had expiated as far as earth was concerned,
Ills terrible decd. His death was very easy, hrs neck
being instantly broken After hanging few
minutes he was taken down, and the attending ply
sioiBDs pronounced LIE extinct.