Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-04-14
THs END or TWO muRDERERs.
Gerald Eaton ErpiAies his Crime on
The 0allcwr,
George S, Twltchel Commits Suicide
by Taking prusslc Acid,
frcm The rhilaaeiphla Are ~. VI
GI.nAIn I.ATnN

iecnan, paid ihc penalty oi hlt GRIM
, by the forfeiture Of bis life. II ha,
been expected by the public that Geo
Twitcholl, Jr., the murderer Of Mrs
Hill, would accompany him on tn,
scalold, and that Philadelphia would
have double execution. Tho suicide
of Twitcbcll created feeling OF sym
pathy for Eaton, who, il had been
currently reported, as well as gcner
ally believed, would be reprieved by
the Governor His counsel and friends
were untiring in their efforts. Dis
patches were sent TO and from Har.
risburg, and at every tinKling of the
gate-keeper's bell the persons present
who were waiting TO be the witnesses
of bis execution would scan the coun-
tcnance of the party entering, to try
and catch a CLEAN Of hope or hear a
dispatch read staying the execution.
Alas /. they were doomed TO disap-
pointment. As the hour of twelve
approached even the most sanguine
gave up the case, and began 10 pre-
pare for the final scene. The Sheriff
had already waited All hour over the
usual time allotted, but still he linger.
ed, as il por chance some accident had
detained messenger, or some unfor-
seen occurrence had stopped the mes
sage which would give a few more
days Of life 10 the unfortunate man
Another half hour interviewed, and
when the prisoner was led forth from
the cell, be was followed by most
solemn funeral procession TO the scat
fold. When being handcuffed.
the sheriff asked him if he had any
thing to say, when he replied, othat
as God was his maker he never fred
shot that night" The moose was
then placed around his neck. 1t not
being properly adjusted, the prisoner
turned bis head 10 the one side to al
low its better adjustment The Sher-
ifP then drew the white cap over his
face. During all this time, whilst
these preparations were in progress,
the most careful scrutiny of the man
who was about 20 be launched into
eternity coulG not detect the slightest
tremor. He was calm and composed
throughout The motion of his lips
could be detected through the cap as
il engaged in offering up a prayer.
At twelve minutes 20 one o'clock |
every person had left the scaffold. the /
two end posts were removed, and no
thing but the prop to which the rope |
was attached was left standing. This
rope was carried by two deputy sber-
ifs to an open cellar door nearly op-
posite, and at a given signal an unseen
hangman pulled the rope the prop
fell, the doors banged against the
bags Of shavings placed on the up
rights of the scaffold with dull sound,
and Gerald Eaton was hanging by
the neck betwixt heaven and earth.
Gerald Eaton, with all bis guilt, met
his fate like man, and gave up his
life TO offended justice amidst the
general regret of those who witnessed
his execution.
The facts Of the case for which the
doomed man has paid the penalty of
the law are as follows:
On the night Of the 18th of June,
1865, Gerald Eaton and q number of
friends met Timothy Hecnan in q
saloon at the southwest corner OF
Fifth and Spruce streets, kept by a
man named Sullivan. A quarrel en-
sued, which did not terminate until
the street was reached. Eaton il is
alleged drew a pistol and aimed at
Heenan, but was restrained by a man
named James Trainer, who said "not
now" The party left and went to
Trainers saloon, on Locust street,
near Sixth, where their pistols were
recharged, and they returned to the
saloon at the corner Of Fifth and
Spruce streets, where they had first
net Mr.. Heenan. Finding II closed,
encountered Hecnan nt the
southwest corner of Fifth and Spruce
streets. Gerald Eaton attempted to
ihoot Heenan again, but was again
prevented by his friends. The crowd
hen left, and were proceeding down
Fifth street, near Locust, when Hee-
ian, who had previously declared
himself unarmed, followed friend, !
Who was drunk, and endeavored to
'ring him back. In his efforts to do
o he got within q few feet Of Eaton !
md his party, when he was shot, and
lied from the effects of it next morn Q
ng. The defence set up that Eaton
lid not fire the shot, and two wit I
Iesses, one of whom acknowledged '
hat he was professional thief, assert g
d that some one else seized the pistol '
n Eaton's hand and discharged it.