The New York herald., 1869-05-29
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Execution in Frederick, Nd, OF a
Negro for the Murder Ofa
White Man.
CONFESSION OF THE MURDERER.
Bungling Work Of the Sheriff and
His Deputies.

FREDERICK, Nd. May 2s 1869.
George Truman, negro, about twenty-one years
OF age, was hanged in our jail yard to-day at
half-past twelve O'Clock, for the murder OF un-
known white man on the 30th Of January last, near
Point Of Rocks, Maryland. The murder was COM
mitted to get possession OF carpet bag which
tanned clothing valued at twenty-five dollars.
During his trial, which began on the 11th
Of March, aud was concluded the
10th of the month, he betrayed no trepidation,
and evinced throughout an utter indifference to the
proceedings-seemingy careless OF what might be
the result. This indifference never deserted him
during the trial. and not even when the solemn SEN
tence of death was pronounced by the Court During
the whole term OF the prisoners confinement he
evinced no more feeling than when undergoing
trial. He was taciturn reserved, and could with
the greatest difficulty be induced to speak OF the
circumstances connected with the bloody deed he
had committed. He maintained throughout an in
difference to the dreadful fate which awaited him
unparalleled In the history Of maefactors. He
seemed to make an EFFORT to Danish from his mind
all thoughts OF his crime, and was habtualy lively and
cheerful, frequently passing the time by singing
snatcnes Of rude songs peculiar TO the lower classes
OF negroes. One scrap OF rough rhyme which was
evidently original with himself and which he was
often heard to sing, was,
If dis niggah rad never been born, by ling,
He Wouldn't a. had on de galows 10 swing.
The Sheriff. Mr. Nathan o. Neighbours very gen.
temany and knd-hearted gentleman, took an early
and deep interest in the spiritual welfare OF his
apathetic prisoner and by his mildness OF manner
soon won the prisoners confidence and esteem. To
him Truman talked with less than with any
body else. Mr.. Neighbours succeeded after the
prisoner was in his custody for few weeks, in
turning his thoughts towards the dread future; and
to the Sheriff the prisoner made his first confession.
THE CONFESSION.
Nd lived there since except when was IN
the army was married few months ago, and for
Henry Hopewe On S6!h January, very early n
% sPy sa
se e 10 n % % asa S the ne
stranger. taking another road to Balls Hill.
ss1s ana issPps% caught
what he had % ps Of soldiers blue panis
apar of drawers stockng two shirts and blue overcoat
his sses p carry h,. esTpssS%gg
ap % without q waning, .iasi him
his P sPeees ,ss as p sns yu oe@ a@
TSo@as % "i srasped in his band lie sprans to his feet
then % sou. 70 v eHSs which and & sspa9h b% b%
and hi him in the temple He fell sensees the blood dow
s sss OF
then his a his ia. os, s.d pet % s
had taken from the man Then went on 70 my home at
hs sn is FOR sss
him $ ss s ss s not sa
see what had become Of f.. him quit work and went to the
pa S distance 1'f him.
& @ he us sS s
s SS my s since e
laid there helpless from about nine O'Clock in The morning,
o or & S8 s S@
nmed,tsly went home 60. Mppswes gum loaded 4 and
pack went close % him. took deliberate aim his
i bred: Hs never breaihcd again The charge passed
through nua.a h.: head % sd nso asrss ss ' his
shot The morning George Hopswei start.
George Hopewe that struck he saw e with,
him unless because could not keep my guilty secret.
| The murderer concluded by saying that the above
is full statement OF his crime and that he bears
enmity toward the witnesses, jurors, Sheriff. ad
! dlDg:--
The sands Of srsc existence M have nearly eye.
MSa 20 hope and si and rav upon the spenaer
Of better. bid all last farewell GEORGE TRUMAN
| AN AFTER CONFESSION.
A few days after the foregoing confession was
made TO the sheriff. IN the presence OF the prisoners
| counsel, NJ. p. Gallagher. who ably sustained a
brilliant reputation rs criminal lawyer In defend
ing him. the Sheriff asked the prisoner II everything
he had said in his confession was strictly true.
| "Weil,n answered Truman, ITS all true but that
| part where | SAID there was another man helping
me to kill the stranger. had no help; did It all
This contradiction In tue confession OF the pri-
soner leads to great oeal OF doubt as 10 whether
the remainder OF it can be relied upon; but the opin
| ion OF those who conversed most with him that
the confession "a given above Is correct. with the
exception OF the part where he states that he had an
| accompce. The prisoner has wltnin the last day or
two limited that the Overcoat which belonged 30 his
victim was hidden somewhere by him, although he
has steadily refused 10 disclose ihe place oil conceal
| ment.
Last evening your correspondent was permitted
20 have an Interview with the condemned. ON en-
| terng the cell In company with his jailer Mr. Winn
and hs senior counsel, the prisoner was found
| seated at n window complacently smoking his pipe
| ON the window sill boy his elbow laid an embroidered
velvet tobacco bag. When he heard the bolts drawn
he turned around and disclosed To view slight
built man about twcnty-one years OF age. His hands
were free but his feet were ettered with inanaces.
| Ills counsel said, george here is q gentleman
who wishes to talk 20 you a few moments"
| The prisoner laid down his pipe, but answered
nothing. Having ascertained that he had been
soldier in the federal army asked hun what regi-
| ment he belonged tof
lie replied, company II, hrty-eighih coored
| tr0ops.n
Aficr ono or two other questions regard 70 where
he had served he spoke very freely OF his connec-
! tion with tue army.
remaining TO hIm In this world aud asked II he elt
| prepared TO enter the next.
"ies.r he answered, 'hc had prayed and felt ready
| TO 60 wnon his time was come"
| Iaskcd what induced MN TO commit the fearful
deed for which he was about To sufiert
lie replied that he Thought the man had money,
aud he wanted money then TO go 10 housekeeping
with.
He is thoroughly iiterate, ignorant and totally de-
foient IN moral culture. lie s utterly incapable OF
understanding ihtc tiit
has even expressed desire that his execution
should he fastened Yesterday morning being IN "a
very cheerful humor he remarked, IL wish | was
going 70 be swung or tins mornings just feel IN the
right humor for IT,"
INTERVIEW WITH MS wirE AND NOrHFr-fN-LAw.
Yesterday morning his wife and her mother came
down to see him fron near Point OF Rocks, where
they live It should be promised here that Truman
and his wife not on good terms with each other
having uuarrclled good deal before the commits
sion Of the murder. Trdman charged his wife with
benr too iutmate with other men, and manifested
hon IL wn n n n
Indifference as to whether he should ever behold her
again.
when the women were ushefed into his cell yester-
day morning the meeting between husband and
wife was quite cold. The prisoner arose slowly and
advanced a step towards his wife, saying GLOW do
you do, MargarctS- at the same time extending hts
hand The wife approached him with evident re-
| luctance and took his hand. but said not word.
| she then sat down and all three silent for
some moments. Finally conversation sprung up