The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-03
LIBBIE GARRABRANT.
A Stupid and Cruel Blunder- The Death
Sentence Not COMMITTED.
The Girl Is Left in Ignorance Of the Fatal Mis-.
take-Excitement in Paterson and Action
Of tho Citizens-A Probable
Pardon on Monday.

PATERSON, N. j., July 2, 1872.
Paterson Is agitated in an unusual degree over
the possible fate Of Lbbie Garrabrant, whose sen-
tence, contrary to report previously published.
has not been committed by the New Jersey Court OF
Pardons. The facts of the stupid and cruel blunder
by which the girl was informed Of her reprieve
are briefly these:-Two days before the Court Of
Pardons met at Trenton New York paper
published despatch stating that the sentence Of
Libbie had been committed from capital punishment
to Imprisonment for life Mayor Tuttle who has all
the way through acted as counsel for the unlortn-
nate GIRL on reading the story in the paper, imme-
dately telegraphed to Mr.. Smith, Clerk Of the SUI
preme Court at Trenton, to ascertain its truth He
received despatch in return stating that the ru-
NOR was entirely correct, and that he was at
liberty to carry the news to the girl.
OverjOyed at being the bearer OF such glad It'd
ings Mr.. Tuttle at once fastened to the Jail, and,
entering the CELL informed Libbe that her life was
no longer in danger. She received the news with
that idiotic Indifference which goes far to prove
that she Is not responsible for her actions, evncing
neither feeling NOR emotion. Some days before Mr..
futile called she was heard to excIaim, ~
s snow comSrenended her own terrible posi-
been more that Of q girl OF ten than grown-up
woman Of twenty-three, and 1t Is difficult to i'm
agne how she should ever have planned siI ana con-
successful end with such devillish cunning. Her
every word and action betokens the child, and the
slight glrish form tends 10 make the Illusion more
complete. The only perceptible change In her
manner since she received the good tidngs has
been q slight increase of cheerfulness and elias
ITCHY OF manner, SO slight, however, that 1t car
scarcely be observed.
A day or two after Paterson had been congratu-
lating itself that execution, and that too, OF
woman, would not take place within its b0unda-
ries, the fancied immunity from scene OF horror
was rudely shaken by the arrival OF Lfbb1e's death
warrant, directing the last sentence Of the law to-
be carried into effect upon the 18th OF July Amaze
ment was on every tongue and consternation sat on
every face What be the meaning OF this strange
revelation ?" ''Wh0 Is responsible for this cruel
bunder % were questions which were Agerly asked
coming The Court Of PardOns had not acted on
the case, though 1t came up for consideration and
majority were understood 20 6e 'or the commute "a
0urned over until the 9Th of this month, when the
Court meets again, and no authority was given to
any One direct or indirect to inform the girl or the
possible result.
The question now arose what was best 20 be done.
lately raised, or would it be more kind and mercifut
to wait until the court met again and the final re.
suit be made known, and thus, probably, save what
would be even to the ignorant girl unnecessary
pain. The last was adopted, Libbie was left
in her ancied security, and strict precautions were
taken that no one should have access to hers
save those who would not diyulge the fatal
secret. The matrOn Of the jail entered heart
and soul into the humane plan, and careful watch
was kept upon all persons coming TO the prison.
Meantime the citizens of Paterson were not idlef
II was felt that now, more than ever there was
necessity ior cemency. The girl, through no error
of her own, had been led to believe her SENTENCED
had been respited, and it was and Is believed thaS
It would be nothing short OF murder under sucl5
distressing circumstances to carry the last dread
sentence OF the law into effect. In Trenton the
majority Of the people are OF the same opinion and
i'm conjunction with the citizens of Paterson,
are endeavoring to induce the Court Of
Pardons to carrying into operation It's half con4
this will be done, and what seems at first sight q
misfortune may, after ALL prove benefit. Your
correspondent, on visiting the Jail this afternoon
was informed that Libbie was In excellent health
and spirits and seemed sensibly impressed since
Friday. The action OF the Court Of Pard0ns on the
sth IL anxOusly looked for by every one here; but
the petition of the inhabitants OF Paterson, whichi
has received 1900 signatures, and the more Nh :
portant representation OF the physicians OF the
county, who pronounce the girl an unaccOuDfabo
being, will probably have the desired effect.