New-York tribune., 1868-05-07
THE GALLOWS IN NEW-HIMPSHIBE.
EXECUTION OF SAMUEL MILLS FOR TIE MURDER
OF GEORGE MAXWELL.

! EXECUTION OF SAMUEL MILLS FOR THE MURDER
| OF GEORGE MAXWELL
HAvERHILL, n. H., May 6.-Samuel Mills
| the Franconia murderer was hanged to-day at the
| County Jail in this place. Good order was maintained
| throughout the execution When on the scafiod Mills
made the following remarks: samuel Mills Is guilty
| My peace is made with God. have showed myself a
man. and mean TO die Ike a man" About 5000 persons
witnessed the execution The drop fell at lOi o'clock pre-
| cisey.
The streets Of Hayerll fun OF carriages special
trains came in from different points. and hundreds
started at midnight and trudged into town foot in
der form part Of the novel and imposing throng
During the few moments Immediately preceding his
oution the condemned visited by clergyman with
whom he united in prayer and after which he SAID that
he felt that God had forgiven HIM and that he was pre-
pared TO die. A desire having been expressed by the
prisoner that lac should have an Interview with "A Mr.
page of this town a gentleman who has frequently be-
fended him while In jail, the request was granted To
him he also for the first time maehted some feelng OF
penitence and also ntnaed that II OF his crimes
In tbs Lake Superior mining regions were known
he would he Judged doubly deserving OF death
As Mr.. Page was about 10 leave him, Mills
loosened some OF his clothing and took therefrOm
lot Of tools which he had ngeniousy made from por
tOns OF the stove and with which he could have effected
am escape m an hour left alone These no delivered
remarking pully that all hope Of life was now gone
and that he should meet his fate Ike man and Chris
tan few moments later, tho village clock struck
ten sheriff stephens accompanied by two or three depu
ties aud the dozen legal witnesses required by law and
the Rev Mr.. German, tho prisoners spiritual adviser
entered the CELL The sheriff informed bum that every:
thing in readiness to proceed with the execution OF
the death sentence, and Mills replied promptly that he
ready to die. His hands were then bound behind
him with pair or ordinary handeuHs ana ne was ied
forth upon the scafold As he took his place his
sharp eye surveyed the vast concourse OF people before
him. and then recognizing an acquaintance In the
multitude he nodded and bade him goodbye in
termined TO keep his courage TO al outward appear
His feet were then bound with heavy IRON chains,
after which the Sheriff read the death warrant This
having been completed the rope adjusted around
the neck Of the condemned man, he whispering mean.
time with the officer The clergyman offered long and
feryent prayer During this Offering the condemned man
surveyed the crowd with GOODNESS and deliberation
1 La iUaV tr4faA Inv nal
twltches as the cord OF execution swung before him.
At the conclusion OF the prayer he made an approving
Sheriff then stepped forward and said Samuel Mills
you have now Just fifteen minutes TO I've and you de-
re 10 say anything those arOun you there snOw
opportunity What shall / say - he asked. "Any.
thing you please replied the sheriff After moments
hesitation II collecting his Ideas Mills spoke III loud
and clear voice as follows: ..
nav. %sa % pse. WIN &c S s M S i shown himself s 'I man
and be will die like Il have done anything offend e
that Mills died Ike man, aud that he guilty Of tie crime
Just as he had finished his speech an old gray headed
man the crowd exclaimed, amen, glory De to God -
The body Of the doomed man was then enveoped In
strong sack which was securely fastened by straps
suddenly, "Not 80 tight Mr.. Stevens, You hurt me.
shant Try TO get away any more The buckles were ac.
announced 10 him that eight minutes remained for
him yet For moment me he eonygrsed with the
he stood firmly upon the seaifold saying moth
ing but viewing closely and with evident In
tefest and pain the scene aronnd him When length
the last moment had arrived sheriff stevens proceeded
TO draw the black cap over his head, when NILS OK.
claimed loud voice, Good by, gentleman, and good
luck 20 all OF YOU" An acquaintance In the crowd re-
sponded 20 hun, Good bye, sam-bully for your The
soemnity OF the occasion broken by general laugh
all round When the levity had ceased the Sheriff had
finished all the preparations and nothing remained 70 be
done except the touching OF the fatal lever Ihs was
done At precisely Ol clock and the drop fell and with
t the boay OF samuel Mills distance OF eight feet The
beam ereaked thrill and shudder went through the
multitude The neck broken, and after feW nerV-
GUS cOnvulsOns all was over.
THE AIURDERERs CRIME,
On the 9Th OF December, 1906 Mills, who an English
man NV br broke open the trunk OF felowboarder IN
LisbOn where he vas employed In the gold innes ana
abstracted watch and about 500 With this lie started
for Franeona where he had formerly resided arriving ut
the house of old Mr. Maxwell at about 7oclock In the
evening This man single 65 years OF age ana yed
alone m peacefl bachelorhOod and acquainted with
MilIs who had time and again accepted his hospitality
Tie next morning (Which was sunday some OF Mr. Max
we neigbors called at his house and found on the OOr
OF the pantry the dead body OF the old man. manged tn