New-York tribune., 1869-04-08
THE TVITCHELL MURDER

HISTORY or THE MURDER-THE TRIAL-THE
CoNFRSsION-THE CONDITION OF TWITCHELL
HIS EXECUTION TO-DAY.
PHILADELPHIA, April 7.-On Sunday night,
November % 1865 the community startled by the
announcement that Mrs. Mary E. Hin, lady about 6
years age had been brutay murdered in her house at
the corner Of Tenth and PDess in this city. The
der was discovered at O'Clock in the evening when
girl who endeavored 10 gaiE entrance 10 the
dwelling met at the door by Geo g. Twtche jr the
sOunaw Of the murdered woman. After expressing his
surprise that his mother had not usual opened the
door he retired to his bedroom while the servant girl
proceeded 10 the kitchen thence TO the yard and
discovered the body OF Mrs. Hill lying the pavement
The alarm was at once given Mr.. and Mrs. Twitche
gthe daughter OF Mrs HID came upon the scene the
body was carried into the kitchen by Geo. S. Twichen
and the servant, and the sDeghbOs were aroused.
Twitchen manifested great concern at the discovery
dead while LIS wife bused herself sending messages Tor
physicians Ncishbors who were attracted 70 inc mouse
examined the premises and discovered that the n1t9e
had been committed up stairs IN slttngroom ana mat
TIE body had been afterward thrown nto te yaIo SI
Twitche was then accused OF the muuer. he ashSI
permission TO change his clothing Whlch thehs u uu
sisted OF an undershrt, no oohar, ah9 eoa, COW
bu;tOucd TO the Chin After he had clOthe9
himself with his ordinary shirt and had reached
the police-stauon, blood was found on the bosom,
the sleeve vest. and pants, and when called TO
explain these stains he said they came from carrying tbe
BODY IA from tc yard HIS ATTENTION was caeE 70 .ne
fact that he had not the shirt az the time ana ne en
~
e was innocent subsequently pair Of shirt cuffs with
spri,,eicS Of blood them and paper collar, also
blood were found on the blanket in his bedroom Mrs
TNcle although free from blood stains taken into
were Committed for trial The trial Of Geo s. Twitchei
ir, commenced Dec 81 and was concluded with verdict
prosecution established there had been difficulty between
Mr.. and Ms Twltche aud Airs Hill in regard TO the
fhe deed in Camille 4. Twitches without her
UOnsen and SUIT TO recover back the possession and
IT, 10 have been commenced on Monday. the day FOL
lowing the murder. II was also shown by medical e1-
pers that the blood the shirt bosom and the coat
seeyes spUrs sprnes, and must have been pro
dueed by jet OF blood from living body and not from
carrying dead body, no matter how completely satu
rated with blood The nature OF the wounds on Mrs.
Hil-lS in numbcr-were explained by the presence OF
causing death. 1wltchelps financial difficulties and
moheruaw, OF her constant threats, were all
gwen IN evidence ~ the Commonwealth.
The defense relied upon the testimony OF medical
perts that poker could not fracture skull without be-
Ing bent that there no motive for the act and also
hour which w3s at least thirty minutes before the
servant applied for admission 10 the house The excel
was also established. After exhaustive argument on
tion. returned verdict Of guilty Of murder irst
degree. Motions for new trial and arrest Of judg
ment were made and overruled the sentence OF death
was pronounced the Supreme Court refused writ OF
error, and the Governor signed the death warrant.
The recent Application 70 the Supreme Court OF the
the argument before this Court being made. hr.
Iwiiehe was concluding the framework OF confession
laade week before 10 the Rev Mr. Biughnrst and
Prison Inspector Howell This has been published and
has been followed by additional statements an them
tendng TO suDstanate the truth he asserts, Of his
frst declaration.
Tho statement has been made the subject FOR very gen
era ana severe comment both by the press and people
familiar with the facts brought In the trial Few
people regard other than tissue Of fasehood framed
last hope. Though during the rial and for weeks
aerward TWitehell maintained st0lca indifference he
finally broke dOWn, n,and Is now a complete wreck trem
bling Ike an aspen, and unstable as of Jelly. To
party OF friends who visited ms cell yesterday, he said
not authorize The publication Of that confession. II
not Intended for publication until after his death
aud he absolutely and positively objected IL being
given TO the world Dh against his wishes bis spiritual
adviser insisted upon takingi % the newspapers lie
did not make the confession with any desire 10 affect
either the Governor the United States Supreme Court
but the contrary he had hope OF relief from either
0f tbese sOurces AS the confession had been given