The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-30

Execution Of Winnem0re. at
Philadelphia. Yesterday.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of the HERALD.

OJIVihL tvhhESTCnurNcC w i"s "I"r-Ss
PHILADELPHIA, August 20, 1867.
The words of Holy Writ, "whosoever sheddeth mans
blood by shall his blood be shed" received prac-
tica exempfcaon to-day in the execution OF George
W. winnemore convicted OF the murder OF MIRA Dorcas
Nagton in Shipper street. above Twelfth, on the 25th
of April last The murderer died protesting bis limo.
cence, and according TO his words on the gaows
fully confident Of happiness in the other world. The
sprltuasc ideas Of the departed feon buoyed him up.
or appeared to do So until the fatal drop fell; and
greater exhibition Of self possession sang od and utter
indifference under such painfully trying circumstances
was never seen in this or any other country.
For some days past Winnemore had steadily declined
to admit amy visitors with the exception Of his own rea.
tives and his counsel Damon Kilgore Esq and ever
since his incarceration, and even until the moment
was led out for execution, he has maintained
cheerful, confident and even amabe frame Of mind,
He has invariably persisted in The statement that he did
and when Monday last his counsel paid him visit
and told him not to entertain any hope he said that he
word brought TO him that he had been reprisved
he would feel disappointed, and he would much rather
be hung than have his sentence committed TO impson
wished to got 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
spirit aud stated that before his body down he
would be mixing in the crowd around the scaold. look
ing at his OWE remains and hearing the remarks that
Ahnoo
the night OF the day Of his execution at the bedsdes
Of number Of persons from whom he conceved he
had suffered wrong and would trouble them terribly.
The prisoners theory OF the murder is that If he COM
mted it he unconscious Of II, and his spirit was
not with his body at the time. His counsel Mr. kgore
also persists this theory and up to the last moment
expressed his conviction that his client an innocent
man. in at least moral point Of view. winnemore
singular character and true type Of the spiritual
lists Of the present day He had not the appearance Of
murderer, but looked mild dreamy and strange
Sheriff Howell received last night a telegram from
(yOVeruOr aarv hQd
not TO interfere with the process of the law 10 Winne-
morc's case and the preparations for the execution
were commenced Invitations to attend the execution
extended ouly to the sheris jury the condemned
mans counsel and limited number Of the members Of
Asa quarter before 10 o'clock this morning those who
invited to be present. assembled at the Assembly
Buildings, Tenth and Chestnut, and pro eeded IN car
to the prison. situated a. the Southern extremity of the
city, On arriving at the prison the small procession
marched in In the following ORDER
ing Gentlemen: VIM H. Kern, 8 p Hancock, Hor-
ton. r. Blackburne, Geo H. Roberts, Spencer Roberts,
r. P. King, John Thornley,, VIM. Elliot VIM. v0gdsa,
Then came the sheriH's Deputies, James v. Stokes,
R. B. OFT, 8 s. Mooney, james Balm, Jr, and VIM K.
Leeds
The party were conducted to an ante-room while the
preparations for the execution were going OH.
Your correspondent during the interim learned that
Winnemore slept we'll during the night. and 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 OF his little
sisters. The party remained with him until about ten
o'clock when the Gpai adeus took place He refused
first TO his brohor but prevailed upon to do
e. by Mr Kgore, his counsel, who was With him during
the entire morning. and who exercised great control
over him, being like Winnemore, spirituaist.
Duriug the morning the condemned mans conversa-
ton manly about splrtualsm and he reiterated
his intention OF coming back to earth. He breakasted
about six o'clock. and parook heartily OF coffee eggs
and bread and butter remarking during the mea thai
death, and he desired to prove the contrary he bad
not missed a meal since he was committed to prison
About eight o'clock the prisoner was brought down to
the cell occupied by Gotilieb Williams just before his
execution.
Howell, accompanied by Keeper Fleming and two
representatives Of the press entered Wiunemores CELL
and the Sheriff. after brief conversation with the
prisoner, informed him that bis time had come and he
must now perform his painful duty by preparing him
for execution. Winncmore replied that he was quite
ready and anxious for the final The prisoner
was then taken from the cell TO the room In which the
shers jury and reporters stationed and the order
which was erected in the end Of the prison yard
TO the north of the the main building
The Prisoner supported by Keeper Fleming and Mr..
Sheriff Howell and Mr.. Perkins. superintendent Of the
Sherins Jury.
Deputy Sherins.
Reporters Of the Press.
Winnemore was dressed in white Shirt gray cassi.
mere pants and prison shoes. His hair was nicely
combed. and his face presented clean appearance,
the most perfect noachalance, and quietly looked at
different objects the prison yard The gaows is the
same one used 2. the execution Of Probs Williams and
some ten or twelve others, and is simple, though e-
caci0ue, structure.
The foot Of the galows was reached at quarter Of
eleven when Winnemorc mounted the steps with firm
ness and aIacrity, accompanied BY Sheriff Howell,
Keeper Fleming, Superintendent Perkins and d. G. Xii.
scene beneath him. and once or twice glanced upward
He submitted tamely to being handcufed, and during
the operation chatted with the Sheriff
Sheriff Howell then said that the prisoner desired TO
make few remarks when, with clear voice and per-
ecy sefpossessed manner he addressed those present
GxSrLKNEy-I have been brought to this rcadold to
10 die, and know Is expected that will say few
wods which now sor 20 49, s have only to say
which am TO suffer an ignomnious death. have al
ways tried 10 1--we up to knowledge of the right and do
my duty faithfully; but how terrible IL is 10 hang a
man who has not committed any crime. Death itself
has no errors for me- for know where my will go
anu onv rers n'r INV spirit VIII come back TO
count OF my relatives; and IL exhibit little trcmor
nov 10 not fear but the grief feel at parting from my
brother and sisters. who were with recently. I
forgive every body earth for all the wrongs have su
fcred and there have been many Of them fruly forgive
Mr. MannrThe District Attorney who tried hiul-REP-)
and forgive the Governor also for his conduct to-
wards me; and sincerely trust this is the last
renee Of this kind that will take place, have not
world. bear no i'll will towards anybody and as
Christ died for principle so do Il although you may
have nothing more to say, only that have no un-
kind feelings towards any body.
prisoner tnen turned 10 snern Howell and shook
bands with him, and did the same with Mr. Perkins
and keeper Fleming: He then extended his hand
Warmly towards Mr. Kisors, when for the FIRST time
he was affected 70 tears. He SAID 10 Mr. Kilgore:-
mo mortal could have done more for mo than Won
have done. thank you from my heart, and may God
bless you"
Mr.. Kilgoro told him he had done everything he
,ouid but without avail, and commended his soul to
God.
There was no minister present, because wnnemore
ieterminedly refused TO receive one, aud this was the
irs instance IA the history Of the prison where man
After Mr.. Kilgore had finished his remarks oil re-
ired from the scafold with the exception OF sheriff
lowell and just as he about to ax the white cap
Winnemore looked down the spectators and, nod.
ling pleasantly said, "Goodby, Doctors; goodby,
anon; goodby, Grubb.n
The Sheriff affixed the cap and left the scafold aud
he prisoner stood firm and erect alone the plafor
nd on the very brink OF eternity. The ropes TO pull
he supporting prop away were then adjusted moment
awful suspense ensucd when sheriff Howell, with
rm hand pulled tho support from under and The body
Il George winnsmore was dangling between heaven and
arth.
The drop fell At eracty nine minutes OF eleven clock
nd the execution was faultess In every respect
AfAs.F