The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-17
TESTIMONY OF A FAITALfSs MISTRESS,
A Brothers. Devotion, and His
Life Sacrificed.
Reckless Attempt to Release the
Condemned.
INSANITY AT THE LAST HOUR.
A Bad Life and It's Ignominious
Termination.

| SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 1873
Charles Mortimer who was hanged in Sacra-
mento City to-day for the murder of Mary Gibson,
was either insane or simulated insanity with sim
| gular perslstency. He did not, or pretended not
| to, recognize his brother Frank, who journeyed
from Massachusetts to console him in his dungeon
the minister who attended HIM, his counsel nor
any other person. He seemed not to comprehend
his position; his c0untenance exhibited no emo
ti0n, and he did not utter word. Mortimer had
the reputation OF being one OF the worst criminals
In California 1t is said he had attempted to COM
init suicide four times since his conviction.
1t must be said that there certain character
istics about California homcides not to be matched
by the felones Of any other country. The crime
for which Mortimer suffered death was an extraOr-
binary one, and in many OF its features went far
beyond commonplace murders. In its atrocity it
would be hard to find case that exceeded it. The
testimony was entirely circumstantial but cOnclu-
sye. His victim, Mary Gibson or Shaw, was sup
posed to be widow about forty-tw0 years Old pos
sessed Of some means, principally IN the form OF
ready money, considerable portion of which she
carried around her person In sack or bag. She re-
sided the water works. close to the river where
| bands of Indians were constantly in the habit OF
encamping. Mortimer was man OF decidedly
bad antecedents and had served a term
in the State Prison at San Quentin Two
days before the murder september II, 1872
he and his wife mistress, a girl named Carrie
Spencer but with half dozen aliases, arrived in
Sacramento and put up at the Mechanics Hotel.
the latter person Immediately went to Mrs.
GibsOns grocery store and saloon and found no
alfllcuty, though stranger in becoming in
timately acquainted with the unfortunate woman
Carrie made inquiries concerning her financial
Affairs and learned everything about her circum-
stances.
FEARFUL MURDER.
During the afternoon OF the 10th Of September
Mortimer visited the bar, and in a short time Car
RE followed. 1t would appear that Mrs. Shaw was
about selling out her place, for which she was to
receive good price, Some liquor was drank, and
while there the murdered woman invited Mortimer
To come inside, with the view of showing him
through the house. She was heard repeating the
words in her apartments, "This is my bed this my
bureaur Mortimer returned to the bar where he
remained with Carrie until five O'Clock At seven
O'Clock next morning, September 20, Mrs. Shaw
was found in her room dead. Her knees were
doubled up under her body her face and throat cut
across with a deep cash. She was dressed in her
everyday garments, which appeared in the great
est disorder and the bed in the room where the
BODY lay, which had not been used during the
night, was ripped up and the fragments scattered
IN every direction. Everything topsy-turvy,
showing that terrible struggle had taken place.
The money sack which Mrs. Gibson was known to
carry fastened under her clothing with strings,
and the contents OF the warirObe, were gone. A
calico sack containing S22 so in silver half dollars
hidden from view, remained, and gold ring on
her right hand and a diamond ring on her left
hand were not removed. But in her right hand
was clutched
BUNCH OF SANDY HAIR
the color OF Mortimer's, evidently torn from the
whskers OF man, and to which was fastened
piece of human nesh on the discovery OF the
murder suspicion fell upon Mortimer, who was
well known to the police. 1t appeared that early
the day before he borrowed S. from an acquaint-
ance. stating he was out OF funds and wanted the
money. During the night he was met by switch.
man ON the railroad coming from Mrs. Shaw's
house. He inquired II the woman had sold her
property, and was informed that II was understood
she had, and got $4,000 for II. Mortimer said he
had friend IN the saloon, and wanted to
see after him. He then went to the window
and looked in. The switchman subsequently
took drink with him at the bar,
and found Carrie Spencer there, it being
about nine O'Clock. Four or five hours later
Mortimer was encountered. without his hat, by q
policeman on the street They entered into con-
looms Mortimer displayed large rolls OF gold and
silver. and asked the Offcer II he wanted to bor-
row any. They proceede ed to the Mechanics Hotel,
where carrie lived. He called her by name, told
her he was tight, and requested her to keep him
In the house. The party then separated. The same
day
MORTIMER AND CARRIE WERE ARRESTED.
They had made no attempt at flight or conceal
ment. On Lis person was found six or seven dol
lars anu bottle containing strychnine. Several
Efans OF this poison were discovered in the bot
tom OF a beer glass in Shaw's store. In CARRIES
room there was found valise in which we're
several dresses. neatly folded up, and also a
quantity OF jewels belonging TO the muir
dcred woman. Mortimer had shaved on his
whiskers during the day; his face and neck were
covered with scratches and he looked as il he had
been engaged in terrible fight There was the
mark OF piece Of mesh having been torn from his
CHINA damning proof OF his guilt. The police
brought the prisoner the Coroners Office, where
the body OF Mrs. Gibson was lying in Its coin with
the hair still remaining IN her grasp. The remark
said ..You don't believe it is sou Mortimer and
| Carrie were confined in separate cells, and were
what happened at the trial and the subsequent at
tempt to rescue the prisoner constitute story OF
| uncommon interest.
The trial commenced OF Sacramento, March IL,
| last, and continued four days. Mortimer being
| without means, Judge Reardon, whe presided,
assigned counsel to conduct the defence, and IL
must be said they performed their duty with re-
markable zeal and ability. An application was
1 made for q postponement in consequence OF the
absence OF alleged important witnesses Tor inc
prisoner, who would, IL was stated, testify that
they had seen Mortimer Intoxicated at circus, on
the night OF September TO- and that the articles OF
dress ana ewery found in his possession were sod
! and delivered to him by man named Fuller. me
Court denied the application. The facts, as stated
! above came out az the trial. The defence was
That some one else and not the prisoner had com
| mitted the murder. In fact Carrie appeared 10 DC
| the one to be made the scapegOat.
| THE soILED CARRIE SPENCER
turned on her paramount or husband ana .estlnea