The New York herald., 1871-02-11
EXECUTION OF J0gg MARTIN.

EXECUTION OF J0GT MARTIN.
A Negro Fiend-rcrriblc Ou,rasc Upon an
OttoacnuriRn.-Particuia Of the HoYrid
irine--A Repentant Crimnal-Tae Decd
Con.sssei.-.JastiSe Vindicasee.
FREDERICK, Nd, Feb. 10, 1871.
Since the day OF Barbara Fritche's nag haunting
IN the lace OF rampant rebellion, aud the time wnen
wars rude alarms resounded through the streets OF
this quiet place, there has been occurrence that
has occasoned har SO much excitement as the exc
cuton to-day of the colored man, John Martin.
The crime OF which he was convicted was SO
HORRIBLY APPALLING
IN ts nature snd disgusting in ITS details that
ought TO dnd record alene In tile scaled pages
Of past barparic ages. The frequency OF It's
commission, however, made it the duty
OF The authorities to furnish an example
and push tae punishment 10 the uimoss
extent OF the loss HIS victim was an aged white
woman, Ms Maryaret Butcher, vino lived with her
paralyzsd husband in q little hut in the Mount
Peasant distinct OF this county, about i've miles from
this city. she had lived there and in the adjoining
village OF Snoketown upwards oi fifty years. and
had reached thc
ADVANCED AGE OF EIGurY-TuREE
when the outrage was committed. John was
born in that neighborho0d aud knew the Old lady
as well AS dog OF hs character could. lie was
Well known as hardened wretch, and nad served
two terms IN the penileniary IN eyplation OF minor
crimes. The Butcher family were exceedingly poor
and relied mainly for their support on the generosity
Of a married daughter IN Baltimore. Mr. Butcher
was almost
ONE HUNDRED AND THREE YEARS OLD
ana for years had been parayze1 TO such extent
that be could not move his limbs, c0ufd not speak
audibly, and, In short, was perfectly helpless On
Ia Cf ha n Of hl,r
coule were asleep, John Martin entered their house
and made his way 80 their bedroom. Mrs. Butcher
was awakened by the noise OF his entrance and at
tempted TO rise, but John splang forward, caught
her by the throat, threw her back the bed, aud
telling her 10 lie still or he would Kill her. committed
cne OF those terrible Outrages ON her aged person
which horrifT civilized men, and which shocked the
helpless old nlan lying by her side so that he died
shsrt time afterwards The shock great TO him
that he partially recovered the of his arms and
threw them over towards John and his wife, mum
bling at the some time we'll he could on appeal
for mercy; but The dsnd paid no heed to his suppl.
cations, and choking the old lady INTO submission,
again repeated the terrible act. 1t was dark; SO
dark That Girs. Butcher, whose eyesght at any rate
was not perfect, could moi distinguish the features
OF the brute. Although her hearing slightly I'm
paired by age his threats Of murder were toned so
hgn that sire had no difficulty in recognizing his
voice. lie remained over her PROSTATE form
for fifteen minutes, and then, his hellish
passion satlated, he left her. The old
woman arose, ana through the weary hours
which followed until daylight covered trembingln IN
in tue corner Of her room, fearing the return OF tho
beast and listening with wringng neart to the mean.
ingiess mumbiugs OF her husband. who, thoroughly
frightened, had reapsed into the chidllke helpless
ness OF his paralyzed condition. All the ensuing
day size sat fearing 10 omen the doors or windnws ~
m nf.
tempt TO prepare food. The only visitor during the
gay was an Old colored woman, to whom Mrs.
Butcher related the tale OF her suffering, and who
at once suggested that complaint against the per-
netsator OF the outrage ought to be made. So
thai the idea OF appealing to the authorities
had not occurred TO her, ana probably would not If
some cDe else mad not suggested It, The next
day April s, q magistrate was called, who issued
warrant for Johns arrest. These are ia brief the
trial which followed at the September term Of the
Criminal Court III this city. Tic law OF the State
provides as a punishment for crimes OF this class
eighteen years Imprisonment; or The death penalty.
TIC Court, having discretionary power, decided to
inillct the latter, and pronounccd sentence upon
dlaley made TO Governor Bowie Tor Communication
OF the sentence ana Tor pardon, on the ground Of
awaiting, and on the 10th OF January
>, -. THE a,, DEATH wAnnANT wAs hEAD TO HIM
was appointed for to-day. 1t is charged by Martins
friends that bus color had much to do with his con-
the jury before which he was tried ana that the sen.
timeD of the better classes OF both races is that he
deserved hanging. The condemned mans conduct
In prison has been influenced TO a great extent by
slc hopes o. pardon, aud up to few weeks since
ne acted with RECKLESS indlherence about either his
however, succeeded IN impressng on his siuggish
mind lhe impending. danger Of his situation,
reson Since mage then he fn a 5sen 5pTa
exceedingly dociie has spent much OF his time lin
psas sagns hymns ana preparns to meet his
was engaged TO be ma ried. visited hin and later
tlc day Waen he heard the sounds OF the worknen's
saws ana hammers preparing his scalroG he re-
quested 10 be allowed to look ut thenl In compli.
ance WIN this request he was conducted to an
adjoining celi. from the window oil wnich he got q
al view Oh the jail yard, including the scaacld lie
dd not evlnce the slightest ,repIdaton, but after
scanning IL thoroughly turned TO his fellow PRISON
ers and adronished them 10 pay heed TO his
exanple-takc 1t home 70 themselves. profit by II
he sand that every nail driven into his scalold
would be one into tser hearts unless they became
converted. ~ ne believed he had been.u ua
PRAYED AND SANG
with them FOR a few moments and then returned 70
MS cell. Hi9 appearances In prison was that or a
the qualification OF beastly passions. lie was not
very dark, but his thick lips and heavy eyebrows
years DID, bat looked TO be at least thirty. In con-
versa tion with those Who approaoned him after his
Sonnsraon oss t ne was exceednsy respscml and very
darky' in his manner OF speech Up 10 late hour
tis morning ne refused 10 allow confession cf as
GuHt 10 PC made public. although lie had privately
conaded 1t to the keeping OF the Rev. Mr. Smiley,
under an injunction or invioiabie secrecy, which
could only pc removed with his mothers death
PHIvAlE CONFESSION
was as foileTs:--
WAS npFn 10 Frederick county, Nd, Feb H. 1850 was
a.ssu Win va the attention 1mothc-,
was Placed could give uut was about nneteen vcns
sue tssh, nc TO rear God and try 60 co gooJ On 10
@ nl As & 81 G only one act io Which was puIsbsd BY tho
was that took pair OF pants ueoranz 60 ,nan n t,s
county Lne rcason why did he owed me and wouJ moi
pay tne was p.Tdonc1 out OF the pen.teniayv no ,oo
wsSS % oa was s 'restsd FOR ,sln have no
fnod this Jail .or ten days ofter winch wa rs,eased
AN auiLTi o. THE C.IMg