Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1866-01-27
Execution OF Mrs. Grinder.

termed the Bcrgia of modern times, exPi-
aied her enormous crimes upoa The gal
lows, at Pnlsburg, on Friday last. The
murder for which this woman pays the
death penalty, was committed in Allie.
gheny, Pa, in the latter part of July and
beginning OF August, 1865. Her victim
was Mary Caroline Caruihers, wife OF
James S. Caru,aers. She was first aiken
sick on The 9th Of last June, being stiec-
ted with dizziness, nausea, intense pains
in tie heart &c. During her terrible
suferinga none Weie more attentive than
Mrs. Grinder, who occupied the house
the one in which Mrs. Carush-
eIs dwelt. Mrs. Camlhers recovered
from the first violent attack, which was,
however, followed by similar symptoms.
and the attending physician advised her
to 60 into the country for time. This
advice was acted upon. and, during her
absence from Piltsburg, Mrs, Caruthers
enjoyed excellent health. Blu, upon her
return TO Pittsburg. Mrs. Grinder recon-
menced her kind attentions Of bringing
food. &c., and Mrs, CsrulheTs was again
seized with symptoms as before. She
as given up as hopeless, and her moth
er was sent for. That lady arrived on
HE 26th OF July, and, eating Of the food
furnished by Mrs. Grinder, she was seiz.
ed with the same illness as that which af-
flicled her daughter. On the first day OF
August, Mr.. Caruihers died. During
The preparations for the funeral, none
were more attentive and useful than the
murderess, and she exhibited so much
kindness and sympathy 10 the bereaved
husband OF the deceased. as TO comp lelely
dlsarm all suspicion.
Al leng 9TH having sent bowl OF pols-
oned soup TO a neighbor ith six children,
who ali parlook of the food and sckensd,
sus uspicion Was attached 10 Mrs. Grinder,
and an investigation instituted. The body
of Mrs. Caruthers was eXhUmed, and
che rmical analysis Of the stomach by ex-
perienced chemists revealed large quan.
lnes Of arsenic and anlimony. Mrs.
Grinder was arrested and brought 10 trial,
and on the 2Slh OF October she was found
guilty of murder in The first degree. Du,
rirg her trial, and al The rendition Of the
verdict, she exh bted the utmost coolness
and conposure, seeming careless spec
tator, rather than prisoner on trial for
her lille. While incarceraled she showed
great courage and forlitude, and did not
seem at all impressed with the horrors Of
her situation. She was visited almost
daily by her husband.
Beside the crime of which she was
convicted another case was brought 10
light, that Of Miss Jane A. Buchanan, en-
ployed as domestic in Mrs. Grinders
family. She had accumulated llle
money. The first attempt TO poison her
was made February 25lh, 1864. On
February 2slh she died. The body was
exhumed August 2Slh, 1865. and show
ed evidence of poisoning. Another
charge lodged against the condemned is
for she poisoning Of Samuel Grinder. her
brother in-law. His body was exhumed
and poison found therein The opinion
is entertained by some intelligent people
that Mrs. Grinder was a monomaniac on
the subject Of homicide, and consequently
did not commit murder with any criminal
intent, in accordance with this represen.
tstion commission was appointed 10 ex-
anime into her condition, who unanimous
ly agreed that there was no trace Of in
sanity in her.
The sentence of the law was carried
into effect at fifteen minutes past one
o clock. The scene was sad, solemn
and deeply impressive one. The only
person present who seemed TO be not in
the least affected was the mu,deress her
self. Mrs. Grinder was dressed in a
brown alpaca dress, trimmed around the
neck and down The front with white lace,
lightly made kid slippers and white
stockings. She look seat provided for
her on The scafOld, and remained entirely
while prayer was being said
in her behalf. Her features wore a.
pleasant smile from the Time she left her
cell until the fatal white cap was drawn
over her face. MOI muscle quivered,
not an expression Of the cour'enance es
capped her that could by any possibility be
into either remorse .or fear OF
death. mental agitation or any kind OF
emotion. There was nothing like 8
Iorced determination 20 appear calm and
j, was evidently natural and
unaffected. while words were be.
ng spoken 10 her by the sheriff, her spir-
rusl adviser and others on the scsffold, !
hen while the moose was being adjusted.
she bestowed on each remarkably grace I
'ul inclination OF the head, coupled " rh I
sweet smile. In answer 10 tie ques-
ion whether she desired 10 say anything. /