The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-30
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Of WinnemOre, at
Philadelphia. Yesterday.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of the HERALD.


PHILADELPHIA, August 20, 1867
The words Of Holy Writ "wbosoever sheddssh mans
blood by man shall his blood be she'd received prac
teal exempliAcaon to-day in the execution OF George
w. winnsmore convicted Of the murder OF MIRA Dorcas
Magiton in Shipper street. above Twelfth on the 25th
of April last The murderer died protesting his limo.
cence and according TO his own words on the gaiows
fully confident Of happiness in the other world Tho
spruastic ideas Of the departed feon buoyed him up,
appeared 10 do 80, until the fatal drop fell; and
greater exhibition Of self possession od and utter
indifference under such painfully trying circumstances
was never seen in this or any other country.
For some days past wnnemore had steadily declined
admit any visitors with the exception Of his own rela.
ves and his counsel, Damon Y Kilgore Esq and ever
since his Incarceration and even until the moment ne
Cheerful connasn. and even amabs frame Of mind.
He has invariably persisted in the statement that ne ala
not wish either reprieve or Communication OF sentence
and when on Monday last his counsel paid him Visit
and told him not TO entertain any hope he said that he
did not anticipate any executive interference and In fact
he would feel disappointed and he would much rather
be hung than have his sentence committed TO imprtson
wished to set out Of this wicked world and the hour Of
execution could not come too soon for him. He was
quite positive that he would revisit the earth IN the
would be mixing In the crowd around the scafod look
ing at his ows remains and hearing the remarks that
might be made about him. He threatened to appear on
the night OF day of his execution at the bedsdes
OF number Of persons from whom he concevod he
had suffered wrong and would trouble them terribly.
The prisoners theory OF the murder is that IL he COM
miited IL he was unconscious Of H. and HIS spirit was
not with his body at the time His counsel MT kgore
also persists in this theory and up TO the last moment
expressed his conviction that his client was an innocent
man, in at least q moral point OF view Winnemore
singular character aud true type Of the spiritual
lists OF The present day He had not the appearance OF
q murderer, but looked mild, dreamy and strange.
Sheriff Howell received last night telegram rom
Governor Gsary stating tina, he had made up his mind
not to interfere with the process OF the law IN Wnne-
mores case and the preparations Tor ,ss execution
extended only TO the Sheriff jury the condemned
mans counsel and limited number Of the members OF
the press.
ASS quarter before 10 o'clock this morning those who
were invited TO be present. assembled at the Assembly
Buildings, Tenth and Chestnut, and proceeded IN car
the prison. situated the Southern extremity Of tho
city, On arriving at the prison the small procession
marched IL IN the following order a., ,,po
ing gentlemen:-wm II. Kern, :. p. Hancock, Hor-
ton. r. Biackburne, Geo H. Roberts, Spencer Roberts
Then came the sherirs Deputies, James " Stokes
Leeds
Tbs party we're conducted 10 an an,e-room whlo the
preparations for the execution were going on.
Your correspondent during the interim learned that
Wnnemore slept we'll during the nisht, aud woke up
this morning feeling quite refreshed Between seven
and eight O'Clock this morning be was visited by his
brother and sisters and male and female cousin The
prisoner was somewhat affected during this interview
and urged his brother to take good care or his little
sisters The party remained with him until about ten
O'clock when the lDai adeus took place. He refused
first TO his brother but prevailed upon TO do
e, by Mr. Kigore his counsel who was with him during
the entire morning, and who exercised great control
purius , Ie morning The condemned mans converse
ton manly about spirituasm, and he reiterated
his intention OF coming back TO earth He orsasasea
and bread and butter rearking during the mea thai
had been stated that he intended to starve himself to
death, and he desired TO the contrary "a he bad
not missed meal since no was committed 70 prison.
About eight O'Clock the prisoner was brought down to
the cell occupied by Gotil!eb Williams Just before MS
AZ exactly twenty minutes past ten O'Clock sheriff
ps the press entered CELL
and the Sheriff. after brief conversation with the
must nov perform his painful duty BY preparing him
for execution. Winncmors replied that he Was quite
ready and even anxious Tor tne nna scene ne
Shers jury and reporters were Stationed and the order
Of procession was formed as follows for the gailows
which erected in the west end OF the prison yard
10 the north OF the the main building
The Prisoner supported by Keeper Fleming and Mr.
Kilgore.
Sheriff Howell and Mr.. Perkins superintsndeni of the
Prison.
Shcrirs Jury.
Deputy Sherins.
Reporters OF the Press.
Winnemore dressed in white shirt, gray csSsi.
mere pants and prison shoes His hair was nicely
combed. and his face presented clean appearance.
being pale and smooth &c walked 70 Inc sasSs win
different objects the prison yard The gallows 10 the
same one used a. the execution OF Probst Williams and
The foot Of the gallows was reached at quarter Of
eleven, when wnpemorc mounted the steps with 1rm-
ness and aIacrity accompanied by Sheriff Howell,
Keeper Fleming, Superintendent Perkins and d. q. Kit
gore. The wreched man looked quietly around on the
scene beneath him, and once twice glanced upward.
He submitted tamely to being handcuded, and during
the operation chatted with the Sheriff.
Sheriff Howell said that the prisoner desired 10
make few remarks when, with clear voice and per.
fecty sefpossessed manner he addressed those
GENrLMES-I have been brought to this scadold to
TO die, and know II is expected that Will say few
words which now proceed to do 7 have only TO say
that innocent in word and deed OF the crime for
which am to suffer ignominious death. have al
tried to 1--we up to knowledge of the right and DO
my duty faithfully; but how terrible 1t il to hang
man who has not committed any crime. Death itself
has for me- for know where my soul will go
10, and also know that spirit will come back 10
EARTH only regret the manner OF my death, on &c
count Of my relatives; and II exhibit little trcmor
10 not fear, but the grief feel parting from my
brother and sisters, who with mo so recently /
forgive everybody earth for all the wrongs
fered and there have been Of them Truly forgive
Mr.. Maun(The District Attorney who tried hiu-REr y
and forgive the Governor also for his conduct to-
romeo OF this kind that will take place. have not
had justice but will be TO get In the other
world. ! bear no i'll will towards anybody. and a.
Christ died for principle 50 do l; although you may
not know II now, but you will very soon j believe
have nothing more to say, only that have no un-
kind feelings towards any body.
The prisoner then turned 10 sheriff Howell and shook
bands with him, and did the same with Mr. Perkins
and keeper Fleming. He then extended his hand
warmly towards Mr. Kigore, when for the first time
he was affected TO tears. He sand 10 Mr.. Kgore
NO mortal could have done more for me than you
have DONE thank you from my heart, and may God
bless you"
Mr. Kgoro told him he had done everything ne
could, but without avail, and commended his soul to
God.
There wa: no minister present, because wipnemore
detcrmnedy refused to receive one and this was the
fret instance In the history OF the prison where man
was hung without the presence Of clergyman.
After Mr. kilgore had finished his remarks oil re-
tired from the scafold with the exception OF shera
HOWELL ana Just as he was about to ax the white cap
winnemore looked down on the spectators, and nod.
ding pleasantly, said, "Goodby Doctors; goodby,
Lamon goodby, Grubbn
The Sheriff affixed the cap and left the scaaod aud
the prisoner stood firm and erect alone on the platform
and on the very brink OF eternity. The ropes pull
the supporting prop away then adjusted moment
Of awful suspense ensucd, when sheriff Howell with
nrm hand, pulled the support from under and the body
Of George Wnnemore dangling bet ween heaven ard