The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-20
THE HANGMAN.
Alexander B. Wiley to be Executed at
WilkesbarrG, Pa, Tomorrow, for
the Murder Of Alice McElWee.
Particulars of the Crime, Antece-
dents of the Parties, Etc.

IRRCIAL ooRREsPoEDENoE EVENING TELEoRAPH.l
WILKBsBARRE, Pa, March l9.-On Wednes-
day, the 10th Of May last, the good people of
this place we're startled by the report that
murder had been committed almost at their
doors. The scene of the tragedy was the house
OtMTs Hannah Miller, near Kingston, village
of.he Wyoming Valley, located on the Lacka-
wanna and Bloomsbury Railroad, about mile
south of Wilkesearre. A justice of the peace at
once proceeded to the place and held an inquest
uDOn the corpse. The facts in the case. as they
were developed by the testimony of Mrs. Miller
ard Mary Trace, who had stepped into the
house to make call, were somewhat as fol-
loVs:-
TAe Murder, and Escape OF the Murderer
The victim was a woman by the name of
Alce McElwee. About three months previous
to he murder she had married Mr.. McElWee,
hei maiden name having been Gardner. At
THU time she lived with Mrs. Miller, on the
mountain back of Plymouth. Alexander b.
Willy, who was nicknamed "Birdn Wiley, had
been very intimate with Alice previous to her
marriage, but after that event she had wisely
refused to continue his acquaintance. About
or s o'clock on Wednesday morning, May
l6, Wiley came to Mrs. Miller's house, near
Kingston. He threw himself down upon the
floor, and was fast asleep when his hostess
arose. Mrs. Miller went about her baking and
Wnlle sne was JnuS engaged w hey aWOke ana
asked or a biscuit, to procure which Mrs. Mil
Ter leitthe room, as the baEing oven was out
doors.
In the meantime, Mary Trace had stopped at
the houe on a morning call, and Mrs. McElwee
was engaged in washing of the plates OF the
stove. While Mrs. Miller was still absent
Wiley dew a revolver, which he first pointed at
Mary Tnce, as If to trlghten her, and then at
Mrs. McGlWee, who was standing not more than
two feetD front of him. He fired at once, the
ball ente'ing her head just bacS of the right
ear, and lassng so nearly through that it was
Afterwards taken out just back of the left ear
about an nch higher than the corresponding
point at which it mad entered. So near to the
murderer vas his victim, that her head was
filled wthgra of powder from the weapon
As Ahce tel to the floor, Wiley cried out:-"My
God my God!" ana ran from the house imme-
dately. Tie report of the pistol was heard by
Mrs. Miller, who started at once towards the
house. As she did so, she saw Wiley running up
the mill, carrying something lii his hand which
resembled pistol. She then encountered Mary
Trace, who eGclamed:- THAT man shot Alice
Gardner" Mrs. Miller then proceeded to "Pope
Hollow shaft where Mr. McElwee was at work,
to inform him Of the murder of his wife and the
escape of the guilty person.
Capture OF the Fugitive.
From the dav OF the murder until some time
in the fall, nothing was seen or heard of Wiley.
1t was then rumored that he was again in the
neic chborhood, having associated himself with a
gang of robbers and incendiaries. The authorl-
ties at once exerted themselves to discover his
was arrested IN barn in the Wyoming Valley,
in which he had taken refuge. Knowing tnat
he was pursued he had covered himself with
hay, to escape the vigilance of the officers OF
Justice but without avail. No little manage
ment was required to get hIm from the NOW,
without giving him an opportunity to use his
revolver. After his capture, it was ascertained
that he was one of desperate band who had
been plundeTipg along the mountain Tor some
tame past, and that the arrest of the rlngleader er
frustrated plan Tor the burning ofa barn near
by, and the robbery OF the dwelling-house dur
ing the attendant confusion.
The Trial and Death Sentence.
Wiley was consigned to the Luzerne county
Jail until his case came uufor trial in December
last. As the prisoner had no counsel, the Court
appointed II. Fakes and II. F. w. Palmer Esqs.,
to conduct his defense. The evidence elected
on the trial did not differ materially from that
given above. After being out four hours the
jury returned verdict OF guilty Of murder III
the first degree,
The prlsoner's counsel then resorted to a
series OF tactics, by which they hoped to rescue
their unhappy client from the gallows. They
entered a motion for a new trial, on the ground
that the constable in charge of the jury fell
asleep on his post, and while he was thus obli-
Vlous one of the jurYmen left the room, few
minutes before the verdict was agreed upon.
The motion for a new trial was subsequently
denied, and on Monday, January Z, Wiley was
sentenced to be hung.
When asked if he had anything to say why
sentence OF death should not be passed 1pOn
nlL tut pIlsOnSI, WITHOUT DeJTaJlnR any emo
ton, and without the least tremOr in his voice,
stated that he had no intention of killing the
deceased that, as but three of the six ch ami bers
OF the revolver were loaded, ne supposed he
was only swapping the cap on one of the empty
baIrels
The findings and sentence in the case were
approved by Governor Geary, who appointed
Friday, the l6th day of March, for the execution.
The Sheriff had completed his arrangements
for this solemn event, and everything was in
readiness for 1t, when the prisoner was granted
A Respite of Six Days.
This boon was accorded the unhappy man a
the earnest solicitation Of the Rev. Father Fitz
simmons, of the Church of the Immaculate
Conception, and of several others, who mani
tested an interest IN his spiritual welfare. Sub
sequent to his arrest, and especially during thu
trial, Wiley was stubborny indifferent to al
his perilous surroundings After the sentenc
he was equally perverse, refusing to listen Il
the consultations of religion until within weel
OF the day appointed for mis- execution. A
this time there was change in his bearing
which was as remarkable as 1t was unexpected
Those who had known him in times back pre-
dlcled that he would meet mis- fate WlthOu
nlnchng. But they were mistaken. AS hi
fate approached, his hardened heart wa
softened, his stubborn spirit relaxed, and h
at last consented to listen to the messengers {
peace and goodwill. Father Fitzsimmons wa
then requested to remain with him, and rende
such spiritual service as he could at that Iat
day. The Governor of the Common wealth
when appealed to, granted the resnite of al
days, that Father Fitzsimmons might haJ
ample time to prepare the soul OF the mis-
Iaole MAI tS IoitShe fearful doom awaiting hin
ever been connected with the Catholic Churcj
he chose representative of that faith IN after
him in his last moments on earth.
The Prisoners Antscedents.