Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-15
THE GIBBET.
Two Men Hanged in Illinois.
The Confession Of Murderer.

A Merry Criminal Strang uIatIOn.
CHICAGO, March 14.-George Driver
who killed his wife on the morning Of the
Both of last November by shooting her with
pistol borrowed from his son, was execu-
ted In the county jail here this afternoon.
KNOXVILLE, ILL, March 14.-Osborne,
the murderer of Mrs. Mathews, was
brought from Galesburg to Knoxville
about five o'clock this morning. He was
Ia good spirits, laughing and jesting and
telling stories all the way to those who
accompanied him. He was hung in the
Jail yard here at one o'clock to-day. When
asked if be was ready he said "yes sir"
promptly, and stepped smilingly on the trap.
His neck was not broken, and he died by
strangulation. His struggles were terrible,
and lasted some time, and in thirty minutes
the body was cut down and life pronounced
extinct.
GALEsBURG, March 14.-The confession
of Osborne has been given to the press.
He claimed to have been hired to murder
Mrs. Mathews, for 5000; by man repre-
sentiDg himself as an agent for patent
harrow. Mrs. Mathews was an important
witness for her father in some
pending lawsuits, and must be si-
fenced. Osborne says he didn't
think of hiding his tracks or of committing
the deed that day, until he was in front of
the house. He went to the pump for
drink and Mrs. M. kindly invited him to
rest himself, and he lettering awhile, she
said she would get him some dinner. The
confession proceeds:
1t then flashed through my mind that she
would go down into the cellar, and 1t would
be my best chance. She went into the
cellar with plate and knife, for butter.
For an excuse l asked her whether all the
water was out of the cellar. She said yes,
but it was muddy. | was at the cellar door,
and passed down, remarking that I wanted
to see. | went down and talked with her
a little, and as she stopped down l picked
up brick and struck her on the back Ofthe
head. She started TO run, and l caught her
by the dress. pulled her back and struck
her again, when she fell. 1 then picked up
small board and struck her on the side of
the head. She groaned and
thought was done. l then
went up stairs, and 10 make a false
motive l ramaged the drawers and found
the money. thought l must take it to
prevent the true motive from being dis
overed. l put part in each of my pants
pockets and then thought 1 would
90 down and see if she was dead.
Saw her eyes looking at me.
went up to her and bending over her
'aid, "Adelia." She raised her eyes and |
ooked at me. l said 'do you know me-"
She made no reply. asked her again and !
he said 81 do" l asked her who 1 was
md she said "Mr. OSBORNE" and reached |
Ter hand to me and said, "why did you do |
his?" dropped her hand, and turned away,
Ind looked at her again in moment and |
elt that would give the world to have her
veil again. l then took my knife and cut |
Ter throat. She never moved or shud-
lered. 1 then went up stairs and
eft. 1 then put the money in
he old Corbin house. Ihad ON coat and |
.Ot drop of blood on the sleeve. wash
d it off while on the hunt the next day |
lone. [He was arrested while pretendin G
0 be hunting the murderer.J