Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-11-16
The GallOws at West chester.
EXECUTION or GEORGE GRANT FOR TIL
MURDER OF AMANDA SPENCE.

EXECUTION or GEORGE GRANT FOR THE
MURDER OF AMANDA SPENCE.
The death penalty was inflicted at West
Chester Wednesday on one OF the most des-
perale criminals who has ever figured In
the annals OF crime In Chester County
George Grant the criminal had been con-
vicled OF the brutaland wllful murder of his
aunt, Amanda Spence. He has been surly
and morose ever since his condemnation,
and has evlnced desperate disposition 70
escape.
On Wednesday Of last week Gas was at
the time reported In the telegraphic COL
umns Of EVERY EYRNISG) he made fu
rious attack on Mr.. Haines, keeper Of the
prison, and Mr.. Cooper, a Waterman, and
inflicted on both Injuries which may yet
prove fatal. For some days after this he
was very morose and frequently refused
his meals, but gradually grew more cheer
full. The prison Inspectors, however, con-
cluded finally Il would be best TO have him
mahscled and at half-past 1 o'cl, ok on
Tuesday, Sheriff Gill and Deputy McFar-
Ian pro, eeded TO the jail and entered his
cell, where they found him with his hand
cuffs broken, his beistead broken TO ices,
straw scattered over the door, hole
nearly large enough over his door for him
10 have passed through on to the roof,
another OF smaller dimension under his
door, and yet another in the wall next the
yard. They also found In his possession
an auger, saw, knife, billy, pair Of shears,
and large stone. These tools have doubt.
less been In his possession for some time,
ani overlooked after his cell was searched
after his first desperate etfyrt u. escape
but how he obtained them Ia a mystery
which will remain unsOlved.
The prisoner asked them ''if they had
come TO murder him." when he was told
they had come 10 prevent him from muir
derng any more people, by Stacking his
limbs. On hearing this he asked, The
privilege, for one hour in his cell alone t.
make bis peace with God, but the Sheriff
seeing the hole In the ceiling, considered
this request too thin, refused 10 grant IL
and gave him the choice to 90 down TO ,
cell on the first floor and he ironed, or bl
manacled where he was and then be tax, l
down. He chose to go down quietly
when he WAS manaclcd and placed iu
more secure cell, guard stationed out
4 side at the window, and another NJ hi
door, the latter remaining open.
After this operation be asked for oyster
soup, which was brought him in a lii
kettle lie wanted the spoon and ke'tl
left, so he could eat 1t at his leisure
1 Deputy McFadden said, Eat II now
! can't leave these things with you" Gran
/ flow into rage and hurled the kettle an
contents out of tho cell, saying, IF ha
these things off (nleanlng his handcuiIs)
- | would kill YOU"
Grant slept well on Tuesday night an,
4 ate heartily of breakfast on Wednesda
5 morning. Al 10, 40 that morning he sske
} for O piece ofpie and ate it almost gIeedill
, Rev. Joseph S. Evans, spent most of III
morning with the prisoner, earnestly strl'
v ing TO bring him to repentance for h
: ! crime.
A large crowd assembled to witnet
3, the execution. At 11.2O O'Clock the cor
= demned man with his hands and arm
pinioned was led from his cell to the sea
fold supported on either side by Rev. NJ
Evans and Sheriff Gill.
He assembled the sesflold with ialiein
step. Mr.. Evans then made a most fe
a vent and touching appeal for the dooms
a man to the Almighty Father, at the col
. cluslon Of which the prisoner, with clasl
ed hands and eyes raised toward Heavei
l. responded "Amen." At II 80 his lel
i were tied together, and Mr.. Evans shoe
J. hands with him and babe him good by
an act which was followed by the sherI
d and his deputies,
70 A voice in the crowd said, "Georg
lr goodbye" TO which he responded only
v a nod Of the head. The moose was IN,
n placed around his neck, the black ca
drawn over his head, and at quarter
Dr. twelve Sheriff gill pulled the prop aud Il
8, body of George Grant hung dangling
10 the air, causil & a shudder TO run throul
the crowd. Tue fall was about three fe,
r The hands and fte. tWitched considerable
w and there were three upheavals of d
chest, and all was over.
e, In falling the knot slipped to the ba,
es Of his head, causing death by strangul
ton. In fifteen minutfs bis pulse stoppe
Up aud his heart ceased It's bGating.
C. The body was cut down and placed in
90 plain pine coffin to be disposed of by I
authorities, bis relatives refusing to have
ng Grant m ide no confession, never denyl
ry In specific words that he did kill her, /
a Re protested his innocence, and claim
that he was a martyr to the vengeance
bis enemies.