The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-14
The End OF a Murderer.


Pennsylvania, for the murder of John and
Isabella Mcbride, near that city, on the 22d
of last July. His victims were old persons
who lived some distance from the public
highway and who were reputed to possess
$5O,O0O in gold, which they would not in
rrust to the banks. Wade, with a stout
club in his hand, raped at their cabin door
and asked for some milk. Mcbride refer
red him TO Mrs. Mcbride. Wade talked
with her and then to the old man and ask
cd for bread. Mcbride was inside the door
and refused to admit Wade. The latter
forced the door, knocked Mcbride down
and crushed his skull with the club. lie
then turned to the kitchen and met the wo-
man, whom he killed instantly in the same
manner Their faithful dog attacked Wade
and was likewise dispatched with the club.
The old man reused and was again terribly
heated and left for dead
Wade searched the house and carried
away $4,000 in gold and silver, which he
hid in different parts of the city. The dis
covery of the double tragedy was not made
until the next day. The woman was found
dead the man lived five days, but did not
regain sufficient consciousness to speak.
Wade did not attempt to fly. lie went to
the city, and the next day sold some of the
gold at the bank, saying that he was a
drover from Texas.
In the afternoon he showed woman
some gold coin and then told her where
more was secreted, In the evening she in
cdentally mentioned the circumstances to
other visitors, and they informed the po-
lice. Wade was surprised at a card table.
AS he saw the officers he tried to secure
his pistol, but it had been removed by ano-
Their person in anticipation of the arrest.
On his way to the Jail he acknowledged
that he had committed the murder, adding
II did it like little man..
The Coroner's jury visited his cell. lie
met them with a villainous smile and
said
Well, gentlemen, | suppose you have
come to talk with me about the McBrides.
am willing to tell you all about it, but
there are so many of you around the cell
door that all cannot hear. just let me out
into the hall, and will tell the whole story
just rs it happened. Don't be afraid to un-
lock the cell, for am perfectly peaceable
and harmless.
On being let out he walked to one of the
stairways, seated himself, and related the
story of the crime. He continue;
The club used was cut in the woods
near by with n small jacknife. If you
will look in the cornfeld you will find
where the grass is tramped down that is
where looked over the money. got
between sixty and seventy thousand dol
lars. will not tell where it is. When l
come TO die | will tell some poor man
where it is but no rich man shall have it,.
| am an American born, and have had fifty
different names in my lifetime, but Nelson
f. Wade is my right name.
Wade told many of his exploits with
seeming relish. lie had killed many men
and women on the frontier, he said. He
ended the interview by saying:
Gentlemen, this is getting to be a great
country, AwheIe few rich men rule the
nation and the poor must suffer. 1t is
time to put a stop to it. The people are
going to the devil as fast as they can
The trial lasted a week. Insanity was
his counsel's defence. The jury were out
twenty-four hours. Wade was told in his
cell that they were slow in arriving at a
GsSaclusion, and he answered, ;'well, If |
- = among them with the club used on
The McBridcs, I'll bet I'd make them
agree"
After the sentence he was handcuffed,
but soon broke the gypes by main force.
After he had broken seven pairs in the
same manner, he told the sheriff that if he
would keep them off from his wrists he
would behave.
The Rev. Dr. Rely, who has endeavored
to prepare him for death, has not been able
to make any impression on him, and as the
hour approached he seemed as lght-hearted
AS ever. A more hardened criminal was
never seen in the State.
At lao Wade was taken to the scaffold.
/ While the sheriffs were making ready he
was very profane. He told the jailer to
hurry up.
The drop WAS knocked out, but the rope
was too long, and he touched the ground
with his feet. In this position he remain
ed. shouting, Oh Lord, have mercy ~
The rope came off his neck, and his body
fell over heavily on the ground.
His body was carried upon the scaffold,
and after long delay in arranging the rope
thedrop was again pulled.
lie fell this time less than three feet. His
pulse continued to beat for seven minutes
After hanging 81 minutes he was placed in
a coffin and taken charge of by his friends
Many pieces of the rope were cut off and
carried away as relics by the spectators.