The New York herald., 1869-03-06
VISIT TO 4 CONDEMyED MURDERER.

George g. Twitchell, Jr., In His Cell-N0
Hopes Of n Reprieve-Hc Is Resigned t0
His Fate.
[From the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph March s.
sing Prison, during winch were afforded the op-
pOrtunlty or entering Twitchells cell and talking
with hin, the following points, the publication OF
which can do no harm were gathered. The main
object OF seeking the interview with the condemned
was TO ascertain from personal observation now
Twitchell bears hiInself In view OF his impending
doom; mis- mental and physical condition. how he
occupies his titne his ideas regarding his immediate
future what signs OF contrition he displays and to
listen TO anything he might have to say regarding
the crime for which he Is sentenced to death.
He IL confined IN one OF the cells of tue third or
upper row OF the northern corridor OF the jail.
Inither we were conducted Dy one oil the prison
oHicials. Before we entered we heard the sound Of
solemn psa mody to familiar tune The prisoner,
In company with his spiritual adviser, the Rev.
George Bnnghurst, was devoutly engaged In singing
tine hymn ''Ul J0rdan's stormy banks stand.u HIS
voice. his manner, his very look betokened sincer-
ity. He was evidently earnest III his deyotons
IL appeared on inquiry that Mr.. Bflnynurst spends
two hours every afternoon mir sterins to Tho spir
itual wants OF Twtcae and sss done SO from the
day Of the prisoners conviction.
the relis sious exercises conducted by his faithful
spiritual attendant and joins In the singing OF hymns
dd no esr ee tSe
singing had died away, and then 1t was that we
noticed the devont air OF Twitchcll, which have
Mr.. Bringhurst at once introduced us to the con-
demned The latter rose from his seat. ana after
dial welcome IN a frank, free, 0n.hand and
cneerful manner. Seats were tnen taken, ana
after . quick scrutiny of the countenance or
Twltcheil we opened the conversation. AS mas fre-
quenily been said Dy those who attempted to de-
scribe the personal appearance, and especially the
pnysoynony OF rwtcheil during the progress Of his
trial, he looks far from the murderer. HIS face IL
one Of intelligence, rather than Ignorance; of OPEN
ness, rather than treachcry; OF Kindness good hu-
NOR, and geniaty. lie was dressed with scrupti-
lous neatness and looked altogether as though ne
was Just prepared to attend church or an Evening
H.. Ia n
nicely adjusted, and his eve bri1hc and expressive.
His manner was cordial, though calm and self
to the visits ot the Rev. air. BrInghurst.
Twitchell assured US that the two hours
ted % him II two ways they rendered ls lighter pee the
depression Of confinement and were Of real advan-
tase to Iis soul In reply to oner questions he said
he had lost nesn since his confinement. He gene
rally retired TO rest about nine O'Clock, and rose
as could be expected without having the benefit or
any exercise, ana his appetite continued good.
Referring then 70 MS trial we askel him II he was
satisfied with the way In which his defence mad been
conducted He answered that he Thought his conn
sci mad done oil they could for MIN uner The creum-
stances and he believed his conviction was the re-
suit OF the I0pular prejudice existing az the time
against him and his VIE.
evidence and Twitchell referring to Its uncertainty
related incident OF his being accused when a nov
OF stealing bottle OF essence. lie could not at the
time prove his innocenc, ana he was not riahted In
the matter until seine years after, when The bottle
was fCund accidentay by the young lady
char ged hun with the theft, where she mad placed 1t
untlinki ngly herself.
Touching his wiie's speedy acquittal he said:-sI
was much grat.ned when heard Of II, but was also
very much surprised, as thought the popular pre-
Judice existing against both her and myself would
convict her also.n lie then said that lie received
frequent visits from Mrs. Twitche and that she stilI
hoped Tor his reprieve.
We then asked him if-he had any theory or hs
own to account for the mysterious murder or his
motncr-in-aw, or held any Suspicious W who the
real murderer was.
lie repliei:-"l have no theory that would feel
justified IN making public ave my suspicious IN
certain quarters, but think 1t best to keep them to
myself. for the present at least. know that was
In bel and asleep at the tle and did not wake until
Camilla this wifel shook me. When | went down
stairs iwas engaged IN wipnx the blood from the
body, and never thought for one moment or being
suspected as the murderer"
Upon questioning him about any expectation he
swerci:-"The trial being so complete, and the
Court after long deliberaton, refusing to grant
new one. and the Supreme Court refusing to grant
writ or error, all combine TO make me give up all
hope that the Governor VIII interfere In the matter,
and have made up my mind 10 suffer the peuaty or
the sentence l nave recelved.n AtteY pausing Tor
a few moments he resumed saying:-"if I am
to suffer death, Will be perfectly resigned TO IT, as
will feel that the ailIcions put upon will be In
fe conf lent tnat innocence will be fully proved
some time other but IL may DO years after am
gone"
As nc uttered these last words the jaIlor, VINO had
been In waiting all the tlIne ntnated that the In
tervIew must end. We rose az did Twi cheli.
Thanking us for the interest We had manifested In
visiting min, with warm shake OF the hand he bade