The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-06
A GRAY-HAIRED MONSTER.
The Latest Death Sentence in New Hampshire-
Evans Condemned to the Gallows for Out
raging, Numbering and Mutilating
His Niece, Georgiana Lowering.

EXETER N. H., Feb. 6, 1873
Franklin B. Evans, the hoary-he Old wretch
who so cruelty outraged and afterwards murdered
little Georgianna Lowering, in the town OF North
wood, in October last, no stands In q fair way to
receive the punishment due his crime. His trial
was commenced before the Supreme Court in this
town on Monday, and was ended to-day by his con-
vction OF murder in the first degree, followed
promptly by a sentence to be hanged on the third
Tuesday in February, 1874 The evidetce throughout
the trial probably foreshadowed CONVICTION in the
mind OF the prisoner, for this morning he made a
desperate attempt to anticipate the work OF the
scairold and hang himself He passed the night in
about the usual manner, not being able to sleep
much. Soon after rising from his bed he requested
his keeper to get him some water with which to
wash himself The keeper stepped outside the
door, got the water, and was not absent from the
cell more than half minute When he went back
he discovered that Evans had taken OF his sus-
pendcrs tied it around his neck and attached the
other end to atook used TOR the purpose Of hang.
ing up clothing.
JUST BEGINNING TO CHOKE HIMSELF.
Just az the keeper entered the room Evans had
began TO settle down and was choking slightly.
The keeper seized him and soon disengaged him
from the hook.
The crime of Evans will be remembered as one of
the most atr0ciOus ever known, and the prompt
conviction and sentence of the wretch has caused
great rejoicing throughout the community. The
Northwood, whose wife was sister Of Evans and
the grandmother OF Georgiana Lowering, who also
was member of the family. Evans, who had
some traps in the wood, near the house, sent
morning of October 25. 1872. She went to the
woods and he also went away, saying he was
THE LITTLE GIRL DID NOT RETURN
In due time, and becoming alarmed, her friends
caused search to be made Tor her, but failed to ind
her. 1t was then discovered that Evans had not
been at work that day, and suspicion rested on
him to his house and keeping him in custody,
Evans told great many contradictory stories
about the girls whereabouts, pretending to Drew
that some one had made an agreement with him
to take the girl away and on the pretence OF md
ing that person, Evans took Drew on long tramp
through several neigIboring towns. Drew at last
became convinced that there was nothing in this
pretencc, and gave up the Search and on the way
home they stopped at o hotel In NorthwoOd where
the prisoner requested the servant to put poison
in his tea when ne came TO the table, This excited
Drew's suspicion still more and that night after
arriving at Drews residence, he confronted Evans
as GEORGIANA LOWERING COLD IN DEATH ~
to which question at last Evans answered, ''She
Drew said, '.wir you show me where the body
is :" to which Evans replied, al will"
then eleven O'Clock at night. and walked to
swamp about six miles from Drews house and
mile and half from where the girl lived. Alter
body, which had been deposited under the stump
OF fallen tree and covered with leaves. The au-
tended by surgeon, who under the direction of
the authorities, lifted the body from the place and
examined II, and al that examination 1t was found
that the body had been terribly mntilated and was
carried TO the village to be laid out. Evans then
accompanied Drew to place near Sherburn's Mills,
where Evans lifted up rock, from beneath which
lie took out
THE REST OF THE MISSING REMAINS
AL THESE circumstances were proved at the trial
and 1t was the sworn opinion OF a physician that
Evans outraged the little girl before killing her
and then to cover up this crime in case the body
discovered. I'm ouch a
manner as to destroy positive evidence OF outrage
before the murder. sAfter the was given to
the jury there was great excitement and specula-
ton In the town as to the probable verdict. The
suspense was brief, however, Tor in thirty-nve
minutes verdict OF guilty OF murder in the first
degree was arrived at and
THE DEATH SENTENCE WAS PROMPTLY PASSED
upon the prisoner.
A law OF New Hampshire requires that con-
demned man shall have at least year to prepare
for his doom. Evans Is q notwithstanding man.
between sixty and seventy years OF age, and will,
possibly die before the time appointed for his exc
cuti0n. He received the verdict and sentence with
cool Indifference.