The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-19
MRS. GRINDER.
rur rn1soNrRls ooNprr1oN


The Pittsburg Commercial Of last evening con
tains the following;-
Report of he Medical Commission.
BURG, January 1.-THE medical commi 5sioners
appointed by Secretary Of State Sitter, consisting
OF Doctors John Curwin, Of the State Lunstlo
Asylum at Harrisburg, j. X. Reed, OF the Dix
mont Hospital, and James s. King, of Pittsburg,
for the purpose of inquiring into the mental
soundness OF the unfortunate Martha Grinder,
under sentence of death for poisoning Mrs.
Mary Caruthers, have transmitted report by
telegraph from Pittsburg to the Secretary of the
Commonwealth. The commissioners give a full
account OF their interview with the prisoner, aud
unanimously agree that she is not even tainted
with insanity. Secretary Sitter has decided, in
view of this fact not to interfere with the de-
ciston of the Court No respite will be granted,
and, therefore, the execution must take place
on Friday.
AN AFFECTING INTERVIEW
George Grinder, the husband of the prisoner
was arrested some time after his wife for sup
posed completely in the murder of Miss Jane
Buchanan, but nothing was produced to crlmi-
nate him, and the Court ordered his discharge.
Since that Tune he has visited his wretched
wife in her cell several times, and their inter
views have been of an ordinary character.
Yesterday another interview was allowed them,
that was, however, particularly affecting. The
prisoner had been informed that all hope of
respite was past, and when she met
her husband, the thought OF beng at last
forced to bid him long fareW ell seemed to
flash across her mind, and as she related to
him the painful intelligence, she completely
broke down, and for some time could not be
restored. Her whole nervous system gave way.
She sobbed as though her heart would break
She continued to be hysterical for considerable
time, and so affected her husband that he too
gave way to his feelings, and the unhappy pair
mingled their tears together. Warden White,
who was present at the time, relates the facts as
trying to the feelings OF any human being. He
saw that the presence of the husband was likely
10 render his prisoner more helpless and feeble
hp no nj
view as soon as possible. When Mr.. Grinder
lett the iail he went out like one utterly broken
in spirit and inconsolable.
MRS. GRINDERS SPIRITUAL CONDITION.
The prisoner is fortunate in having secured for
her spiritual adviser the Rev. DR.. Holmes, of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. man of deep
piety, whose sympathizing nature finds ample
vent in unremitting attentions to her future and
eternal welfare. Since her conviction he has
BEEN regular in his visits to the cell of the con-
demned one. Mrs. Grinder has usually shown
an adequate appreciation for the kindness thus
manifested in her behalf, and since the commits
sion closed its Iabors, she has felt a stronger
desire than ever for the prayers of her pastor.
Yesterday, she requested that he might be sent
to see her in the evening. We unGerst tand that
her wishes were complied with, and that the un-
fortunate woman gave unmistakable tokens of
heartfelt contriton.
Will THE PRISONER CONFESS?
In view of this fact it has been suggested that
Mrs. Grinder will, probably, make full conles-
sion of her crime. The evidence produced at
the trial was so clearly against her that no one
wFo reads it over with care can entertain any
doubts about her guilt. II she is really preparing
then, for the solemn scene at o judgment bar
more terrible than any here below, let us hope
that the first step towards that end will be an ac-
knowledgment of her offense against both human
and divine laws. We were told, last night that
her condition had considerably improved but
we could not discover anv reliable facts concern
ing her confession which, we believe, has not
yet been made.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION.
Sheriff Stewart, upon learning the result of
the Commissioners visit to the jail, concluded,
without further delay, all the necessary arrange
ments tor carrying out the sentence of the Law,
tomorrow. The scatfold upon which Marschall
and Frecke we're executed still remains standing
in the Jail yard, with the fatal trap-door down,
Just as it was left last Friday afternoon, at the
close OF the terrible scene which took place at
that time. This same scafod will be used at
the execution tomorrow, and either one of the
hempen cords which strangled the wretched
Boyd'S Hill murderers be placed about the neck
of the modern Borgia.
The Sheriff has issued limited number of
passes to witness the fate of the prisoner. But
the demand for them is exceedingly great even
females of respectable families having expressed
q desire to be present on the occasion. The sight
will, in all probability, be unusually fearful,
The physical condition Of the prisoner is such as
to warrant the belief that she will have to be
carried to the scafold-a scene almost too terri.
BILE to contemplate-and without the power of
standing on her feet, be launched into eternity
1t will be seen by the SPECIAL telegram of our
Harrisburg correspondent that the report of the
medical commission was received at the office of
the Hon. Eli Sitter, Secretary of State Yesterday
afternoon, and that that official has decided in
view of the opinion of the commission, that no
respite shall be granted.