The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-08

sicians, made an examination OF the
Body Of the Condemned Man,
in order that the Sheriff might have a basis for
his formal return to the Governors writ Inc
body was found lying upon the back, on sinai
cot the coat, vest, collar and boots alone having
been removed. The head was thrown back, the
lips apape the eyes wide open, with an unearthly
pallor fixed upon his features, tlnged with
blush trace
1t was stated that the cause of death could not
be ascertained certainly until the regular inquest
was held Git will take place this afternoon); but
the physicians were OF the opinion that death
could not have resulted from strychnia. 1t was
ascertained that TwitchelFs father had
been with him during the evening,
but left him before the Rev. Mr.. Brnghurst, who
remained until ten minutes after II. This
morning. at 2 o'clock, he was seen by one of the
keepers lying on his couch, with his hend
covered with the blankets. At "A quarter past
this morning. when next seen, the blankets had
been thrust down below his shoulders. Life was
then extinct and the hands were already cold,
although the parts about the neck were still
warm
F""eheh r'S"'"'7 suicide. lts tn''"'''" 10 '"""''
About half-past o'clock yesterday afternoon,
Eaton went To the door of his cell and succeeded
in attracting the attention of Twitchell TO whom
he said, substantially
Bear up and die like a man tomorrow, as |
intend to do"
In answer to this, Twitchel shook his head
demurey, held up his thumb and forehnger, ~
if he held something like pill between them,
and said simply
'Mum's the world"
Twitchell had previously insisted on frequent
occasions that he could commit suicide, and
could not kbe prevented from doing On
one occasion he had explained to one of the
keepers how he could readily take his own life
by placing pin at the back of his neck, and
then, by thrusting his hand back upon it forcibly
drive 1t in up TO the head, producing instant
death.
Therefore when Eaton, about 10 o'clock in the
l,I l. 10 Il A11I
him of the incident which had taken place be-
tween the two, remarking that he "could not die
composedly without putting them on their
guard" it was deemed advisable to institute
search of the cell and person of Twitchell.
This was done by the prison officials, but
nothing of an apparently dangerous character
was discovered. cologne bottle which had
been in the cell was taken possession of, how
ever, Twitchell requesting permission TO mois-
ten his handkerchief with its contents, which
was accorded him. There n small looking
glass in his cell, and when 1t was proposed to re-
move that, Twitchcll eaid that the precaution
was unnecessary as he could readily commit
suicide with piece Of glass from the window of
the cell, if he should choose to resort to such
desperate measure.
As nothing in the shape of a dangerous or
poisonous drug was found on his person, he was
then left to himself, under the belief that he had
been merely taunting his neighbor in the oppo-
site CELL
Eaton's Last Day.
Gerald Eaton who occupied cell below that
of Twitchell, was much more cheerful and re-
signed than his fellow-convict. During the
morning he received visits from his wife and two
sisters-in-law, and bade them farewell in a man
ner which, though cheerful, had nothing of
bravado about it. A number of his male friends
also had interviews with him during the day, all
being careful not to state to him the efforts being
made for his reprieve. Eaton expressed his be-
lief that there was no hope for him, and that he
would undoubtedly be executed, and stated that
he was ready to die. Rev. Father Riley was
with him during the afternoon. Eaton was also
visited during the afternoon by Mr.. O'Byrne, one
of his counsel, Immediately after the latter had
visited the cell of Twitehen.
Shortly before o'clock in the afternoon the
two sisters of Eatons wife were in the cell with
him, and upon being spoken to relative to his
position, he said he desired to live, and turning
to one of the keepers remarked, You may have
to teach me shoemaking." The old maxim,
| "While there's life there's hope" holds good
! even when a man has one foot on the scaffold.
But late at night this faint hope was crushed in
| the manner related above.
Enton's Last Hours.
Shortly after midnight Eaton was left alone.
During the evening Fathers Reilly and OBarony
passed portion of the evening with him. He
! appears to have slept quite soundly, and without
disturbance, until O'clock this morning, when
he awakened by the keeper, who few
ooTsTy of deatS %ads h1 About dis
o'clock the two clergymen again waited upon the
unhappy man in his cell, and celebrated in his
presence the solemn religious service of high
mass. This over, about Z o'clock the prisoner
partook of quite substantial breakfast, consist
| ing of bread and butter and eggs.
| About half-past eight o'clock he received a
parting visit from several of his nearest relatives
his wife, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and "A
! little girl of eight or nine years whom he had
! adopted as his own child The interview with
these was very affecting, and when they left him
he is said to have been deeply moved. His spi-
! ritual advisers were then admitted and remained
with him until the next turn in the solemn pre-
! parations for the closing scene.
About 10 the rosary was recited by Father
Reilly, in presence of Joseph r. Chandler, Esq,
| one of the prison inspectors and another gen.
tleman protesting the same faith with the con-
demned man. Eaton entered into these services
| with great eamestness, making the responses
which he had thoroughly committed to memory
J in clear and distinct tone, and appearing
fully to realize the solcmnity OF the occasion and
of the services
Under the guidance of his spiritual advisers he
had been faithful and jealous In observing the
requirements of the Church. and was prepared
to meet his fate with all Christian fortitude.
In the interval between the religious exercises
he conversed freely and unreservedly Will
several persons who were admitted to see him
part of the time throwing himself back in hif
chair as he smoked II cigar, and ut others walk
ing up and down the CELL not altogether ut hi
| ease.
| He did not, however, appear to contemplate
his approaching doom with fear, either physica
or moral; but, on the contrary, expressed himsel
| as anxious that there should be no unnecessary
| delay.
"As long," he exclaimed, ''as 1t is TO be done
the sooner it is over and am relieved oi ny
| present suspense the better
The FinnI Preliminaries.
| At half-past IL o'clock the Sheriff
| iury were called 10 order bY Deputy Sherii