The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-26
The Isle of Shoals Murder and the
Thorndike Tragedy Expiated.
CHASTITY SPECTACLE ON THE PLATFORM.
Negroes Hung in Georgia and
South Carolina.
UNSEEHLY CONTROVERSY IN A CONDEMNED MANS CELL.
DEDHAM, Mass, June

DEDHAM. Mass, June 25 1875.
James II. Costley, the reputed and convicted
murderer OF Julia Hawkes. his paramour. was
hung In the Norfolk County jail In this town TO-
day. Notwithstanding he protested his innocence
to the last, there are very lew who doubt but that
he was guilty OF the crime for which he suffered
the death penalty.
THE STORY THE CRIME
IL was rather q singular and romantic murder
for which Costley was hung, II the suspicions OF
his motive are accepted as facts. Indeed, it seems
to have been case OF love, or greed for wealth,
or, perhaps, both. Julia Hawkes., his viclim,
was woman with whom he had been
more or less intimate and consequently
there was much surprise when her violent death
was charged to him. she was last seen alive on
me 18th OF May. 1874, and on the oath OF the
lame month her ifeless body was found In the
Aonatiquot River, In the easterlY limit OF the
Town OF Braintree. Her head was completely
covered over with a carriage blanket, which was
lied closely around the neck with what seemed TO
be piece OF clothes line. TO this line was at
tached tailor's goose marked 'twenty-four
pounds which was enclosed in an ordinary gunny
bag Of canvas. Upon taxing of the covering
bullet hole found piercing the head from the
left SIDE, traverslng the whole extent or the
brain, and striking and SCATTERING but not pene-
trating the skull on the opposite side. The body
had on no outer wraps, shawl, cloak or hat; upon
her right foot was shoe, upon the left simply O
white stocking
CosTLEY's ARREST.
On the day the body was found Costley was
arrested at Hanover. TO the inquiry OF the
officers as 10 the whereabouts OF Julia Hawkes., he
pleaded ignorance, saying that ne supposed
she had gone down East among her friends
and that she lett the Hanover House
the 1st OF May and he had seen
her but once since; that he had hired
no teams to 20 anywhere, &c. Upon the officers
asking him II he had not nred room from Mrs.
Day, on Camden street, Boston, for the OF
Julla Hawkes., he shut his mouth. declaring he
had nothing more 20 say. Down 10 that moment
he had been tree TO talk. He was arraigned IN
Plymouth county, but the Officers ascerlalning
that the deed was committed in Norfolk county
he was discharged and rearraigned in the latter
county and committed to Dedham jail, where he
has been cobnned until his execution to-day.
THE TRIAL AND CONVICTION.
The evidence at the trial very strong, but
almost wholly circumstanual. IL WAS, at the same
time, very pointed and direct, and IL took the
Jury only two hours TO unite upon a verdict OF
guilty OF murder IN the nrst degree. The prls
oner received the sentence OF death In an ndi-
IeTenL manner.
CoStley was born In Nova Scotia. and was about
iorty years OF aye. lis parents were respectable,
rs black sheep IN the family. Although no crime
OF heinous nature had been charged against
him, yet he was regarded with suspicion py thc
community Ia wnicn he lived. During his resi-
hence mere. and until his arrest Tor tnemnrder.
he was considered q good fellow Joined the
Masonic fraternity and worked MS way into public
iavor.
THE VICTIM.
But little can be said oil the murdered Woman's
antecedents. Sue WAS born IN Nova Scotia, but
came 10 TINS state twenty years ago, ana worked
a. number of places IN the character OF servant
or huusekeeDer until ABOUT slA months before her
death. At that time she became acquainted win
Cosiey, and went 10 the Hanover House, becom-
ing MS Domestic servant aud lattery his house.
keeper. Sne had been married IN Nova scotia, out
H. is generally supposed that sue had lett her nus
naud or he mad died. she nad no relatives so lar
As known, her most intimate female Acquaintance
peiog Mrs. Jane smith, Of Wollaston Heights,
Quincy, whom sue frequently visited. The last
lime was OF the 9th Of May wnen she stopped for
two days. she was about thirty-nYe years OF age
ana oI remarkable strength Of build.
THE EXECUTION.
There were between 200 anu 800 spectators ad-
mitted, ana there were over 1000 applications for
admission when were not granted. Previous to
the final scene appropriate aud touching religious
services held IN the cell 81 the condemned
by Rev. William h. Brooks, OF Hanover. and Rev.
Zacnarian Nudge, the former the pas tor OF the
chUrch the prisoner formerly attended and the
latter the chaplain OF the jail. Rev. Mr.. Br0oks
opened the services which were according to rhe
Episcopal form, with prayer IN which he COM
mcnded the spirit OF the condemned TO his Maker.
lie tnen read the ffty-nrst Psalm-"lIave mercy
upon me, q Godu-taken from that part oil the rit-
ual relating TO visitation OF prisoners. The prayer,
30 holy Jesus VINO oil Thine IuautLe goouness,'
&C.. followed, after which the Lords Prayer was
repeated oy the clergyman, CoStley joining. The
az, stole benediclion, "lhe Grace OF our Lord
Jesus Cnrist,u was pronounced, after which the
clergyman mad short conversation with the
prisoner, VINO appeared quite cneerful, and IN the
course OF his remarks sald he was prepared TO ae
and that he would be better on at eleven O'Clock
than those left behind. Costey at tue same time
referred TO the murder and said ne old not com
init II, but expressed himself IN way TO give the
inference taat he knew who the author OF the
tragedy was. Rev. MIR. Brooks tnen TOOK a short
leave OF the condemned ana the prison chaplain
held a snort ana impressive service closing about
half-past nine, when Rev. Mr.. Brooks again
visited the cell aud held a snort conversa ion ana
shook hands Win the prisoner anu bade him an
nesT sSe ns wood End dSs warren and
WHITE, with Mr.. White, the jalier, visited the cell
ana we're met oy Costley VINO laintiy s,nhea ana
them, At the same time announcing that ne was
ready. Jailer White then adjusted the straps
about the elbows OF Costey, winch were brought
close at the sides, with his hands in 'front.' and
strapped 10 the wrists. During this ordeal the
prisoner did not exhibit the least emotion, and
MARCH TO the scAFFoLD
was 81 once taken up. Rev. MI. BROOKS In
black robe, with Rev. Zacnariah A.
Nude, the prison chaplain, came irsE fol,
WHITE, with the condemned benlnd, with
Deputy Sherlfs Wood ana Warren on either side
OF MIN. Costley walked with 1rm step, aud with
the utmost apparent composure took chair
which hao been placed for MN IN the centre OF
10 DARK ribbed trousers, black coat aud vest,
white shirt and collar win black neckue,
ana wore PAR o. eIose,a1ng oooe e oi1e s,y
somDed He looked rather pale. On tue left or
the scanold, seated IN chalr, was Sherln
Thomas. wRo nas been suffering severely from
rheumatism during the past Few mouths. The
sheriff was unable TO walk and nad to be carried
to the scene or his duties in chair by
Two OF mis- deputies The religious services
at the scanod consisted OF a prayer by Rev. Mr..
Brooks during which the prisoner pressed the
palms OF his hands together and closed mis- eyes.
At tue conclusion OF the services the deputies
took their positions on the scafold, SherifTs WOOD
and White standing on tue right ana Sherin
Warren, the turnkey and Snerin Thomas on the
lett. Tue reading OF
tue DEATH WARRANT
having been concluded, the Sherin turned 70 the
condemned man ana informed him that II ne
Wishes 20 say anything ne now had an opp0rtu-
nifty TO do 50. Costley once sprang 70 ms Ieet,
and, turning toward Mr.. WHITE. the turnkey, In q
low but firm tone OF voice said -
SPEECH or THE CONDEMNED.
"Ihia much nave To saF tnatl have the utmost
regard Tor my beloved keeper, Mr.. Henry White,
with whom nave contdcd a statement whIcn
viii be duly given TO the public. / am grateful Tor