The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-24

drawing such inference without evidence.
Third. Because 1t was specifically shown by
the testimony OF Dr. Shapleigh' yoroneas s maw pmy
siclau. on cross examination, that ne knew
nothing OF the person upon wnom ne nau maue
the examination, and that the leg which he saw
he only knew as having been told that IL was tne
amputated leg of one Phillis PROCTOR.
TIE MOTION ovERRuLED.
Judge Allison delivered the opinion OF the I
Court, referring to the evidence, aud saying that
Judges Ludlow and Brewster whose impress |
sions must be much more distinct than either |
his own or Judge Perce's, as they sat at the |
trial, had not the shadow of doubt but that the
woman murdered was the same who died at the |
Blockley Amshouse. The question of identity
was submitted to the jury, aud the Court we're
unable to say that the evidence was not sufficient
to justify the jury in their verdict, The motion
for new trial was, therefore, overruied.
THE SENTENCE PRoNoUNcED.
District Attorney Mann recited the conviction
OF Alfred Alexander, and moved for the judge
ment of the Court.
Judge Allison requested the clerk to ask the
| prisoner IL he had any thing to say.
Mr. Galton, the Clerk. Alfred Alexander,
have you anything 20 say why the sentence OF
death should not be pronounced upon you in
| accordance with law2
The prisoner. Yes, sir.
| Mr.. Mitchell then advanced to the dock and
communicated with the prisoner, after which
| he said the prisoner did not know exc 1tly what
! he had to say, and desired him to speak for
| him; but he confessed himself in the same
| dilemma. He could only say that he had de-
| 1endeQ tle prisoner, pefIOrmlng MS uuIy IN
good faith to the Court, and could now only
| recommend his client to Him who alone could
| forgive him.
Judge Ludlow then pronounced the sentence
| which the law affiXes.
THE DEATH WARRANT SIGNED.
A certified copy of the record of the Court
was then forwarded 10 Harrisburg, and on July
25, Governor Geary signed the death warrant,
fixing Aug % as the day for the execution.
READING OF THE INSTRUMENT TO THE PRISONER.
I,I., On I'll, 10, ,r,I, q l..
document repaired to the cell OF the condemned
man, accompanied by his principal Deputy,
Thomas ID. smith, Esq, and were Introduced to
HIM by Mr.. Howard Perkins Superintendent of
the prison, and he received them with marked
kindness and courtesy. The Sheriff remarked that
he had come in the performance oil a reluctant
duty, which he would willingly avoid, but which
devolved on him by his oath OF office. Alex
ander replied to the Sheriff. tnat he was expect
ing him 10 pay visit, and that he was perfectly
aware the duty was an unpleasant one. Know
ing, however, that 1t was an official obligation,
he assured the Sheriff that he regarded the
proceeding in that sense alone.
Deputy Smith then asked Alexander some
questions relative to his age place oil birth, etc.
and the latter in reply stated that he was but %
gears OF age. He was born and raised in the
city of Philadelphia, aud was by occupation Il
waiter. He had served in this capacity at the
Continental Hotel, aud in the summer time he
was engaged in 6rst-class hotels at the watering
places. He had not been much given to the
drinking of ardent spirits, but occasionally he
would indulge some what too freely. On the
night of the fatality for which he is to suffer- he
hau been indulgmg and he does not have a clear
conce ptiou as to no " the difficulty originated.
OF one thug, however, he says he is certain,
and that is, that he was not the immediate cause
OF the woman's death, which he rather attributes
to want OF care and the unnecessary amputauon
of limb.
In support of his position in this respect he
urged that he left the city after the difficulty
and went TO New York, where he received
intelligence Of the death OF Pnills. Supposing
that her death was attributable to matters other
than his own alteration with her, he says he
came to Philadelphia and gave himself up to
the authorities never dreaming, however, that
he would be held for any leng. b of time, as he
regarded his completely wi h the affair insgnid
can't He therefore protests mentally against
the righteousness of his sentence, upon the
ground that to punish him to the extent o
: taking away his life is more than commensurate
; with his guilt. He did not, he says, directly
a cause the death OF another, and consequently
should not lose his own lite. He did not
) murmur at the action of the Judge and jury
but ne thought the Governor should save him
from the gallows.
He was then informed that there was no hope
, | of Executive clemency, as the Governor haC
! | made up his mind not to interfere. He was
advised TO make his peace with God during the
. brief period allowed for his stay on earth, anC
: in answer to question as to whether he desireC
the services of any spiritua! adviser, Alexander
= replied that he had already secured the services
q OF Rev. Mr. Hopkins, colored clergyman, tc
). atteLd to his spiritual wants.
:, The Sheriff then read the document to the
a | D1lSODeTs puTluS lue TedulQB Ue SAT apparently
= calm and composed, and for a few moments a
:, its close nothing was said by any of the partie
present. Deputy Smith then told the prisoner
a that he could thus see that his fate was irrevo
o cably fixed, and to make good use of the time
= thus left him, by conterring with his sDiritu4
. adviser. The prisoner expressed desire to dc
a this, and bade the gentlemen cordial good-by
AREPRIEvE ASKED FOR.
= Since the Governor fixed the day, he ha
y received numerous petitions requesting him t
l. grant reprieve. The grounds laid were tina
e the stabbing inflicted upon the woman by tn
& prisoner was not sufficient to have caused he
); death, had she employed proper medical an,
y surgical aid. 1t was even contended that ha
II she taken ordinary care of herself and not hav
e exposed herself unadvisedy there would hay
al been no necessity for amputating her limb iron
which it was alleged she died, and not from tn
wounds inflicted. 1t was also urged by AleS
c. anders attorney, as a palliation of the crime
le that he had voluntarily given himself up to tn
officers of the law.
ID The Governor referred all the papers {
al Deputy AtloTney-General NeWlin, and at tn
OF same time telegraphed to Judge Ludlow, VIII
ID ans wered that he regarded the sentence as
just one. District Attorney William B. MauI
TO OF Philadelphia, was also advised.
le THE REPORT OF THE DEPUTY ATToRNEY-GENERAI
N The following is Mr. Newlin's report in th
~ Case:-
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. OFFICE O
~ Alfred Alexander, lpnia, Application for
Iep,ieve, CIime:-Murder In the first degree. Sci
ur tence;-Death. 10 be executed August 25, les
ol FACTS
ne The deceased Phillls Reese. or Proctor, had Il
some time been Alexanderg mistress, her husban
m Th mas Proctor, being absent in the naval servc
w Alexander the 2th OF October. 1867 came iuto
room and deliberate stabbed her several Ilme' an
Id on the 24th Ot November, 1857, she died from hI
wounds at the Almshouse.
,ba oasa ,,as 80 - -,