The Portland daily press., 1875-06-25
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS In MAINE.
WAGNER AND GORDON.
Both Prisoners Calm.
They Still Protest their Innocence.
GOrdOn's Mother Dying of Grief.
MATTERS In MAINE.
WAGNER AND GORDON.
Both Prisoners Calm.
GOrdOn's Mother Dying Of Grief.
Especial to the Pressl.

THoMAsToN, June 24.-Those who have ar
rived here to witness the tragic scene tomorrow
are mostly newspaper men, Indeed, few 9TH
ers will be admitted. Warden Rice is very
careful not to admit the curious to the presence
of the prisoners. They are in the upper corri-
dor of the south wing. Wagner Occupying cell
AZ and Gordon Isl. No man connected with
the press has seen Gordon to-day. He has been
writing quite busiIy, and is said to be some
what moved at the near approach of his terri
BILE end. He is pale and talks little Of late
he has paid much attention to his future exist
ence, and reads his Bible much. He has been
urged to make confession for the sake of his
mother, who really believes that he is innocent.
He says he would do so for her sake, but can
not go into eternity with such lie on his lips.
The poor old mother is very feeble and broken
down at the fate of her family and the certain
ty of the terrible end of the son tomorrow. and
it is quite possible that she will be dead before
her son is led up on the fatal scaffold to-mor
row.
On the other hand, Wagner is as cheerful as
ever This morning he was singing as merrily
as if he was innocent of the great crime of
which he is convicted, and free from the GER
tainty of the gallows to morrow. He is a sim
gular man, and those who picture him as a ruff
fanly looking brute would be surprised to see
man who converses freely and earnestly, hav-
ing an open countenance, winning smile.
Those who hear his story from his lips or ques-
tion him respecting the crime Of which he is
accused, and the circumstances connected with
it, will be surprised at the directness of his
answers and the promptness with which he
meets the most difficult questions. .Whoever
talks with him on the Isle of Shoals matter
will be agreeably impressed, and not few who
have gone to his cell convinced of his guilt
have come away doubling. Last night he
went to bed very early in the evening and slept
soundly until the bell rung this morning. He
said he wasl trying to dream but could not.
The men were first informed of their fate
last Friday, when the Warden took them from
their companions and put them in separate
cells. Wagner, on being informed of the re-
suit said, ''Good God. are they going to hang
an innocent man in this country?" He was
moved to tears, but soon recovered his compos-
ure. Gordon only remarked that if they hung
him they hung an innocent man. The gallows
is situated almost under the bridge which leads
from thu higher ground of the prison to the
second floor of the new carriage shop, which is
built in the old lime quarry. Those standing
on the bridge cannot see the men after the fall
OF the trap door, while those standing on the
ground below can only see the men after the
fatal fall One would hardly notice the gall
lows, or would mistake it for staging used in
the construction of the buildings. Sheriff Tor
rey has not been here for some days. His ar
rangements were perfected in February last
The victims will be clothed in black, and the
demand of the law will be satisfied at about II
O'Clock.
At ten o'clock there was nothing of particu-
lar importance to add to what has been given.
1t may be said that no change has taken place
with the prisoners. Rev. Mr.. Mason was with
them until about o'clock, but while Wagner
paid that respectful attention he always gives,
he expressed no concern about his future. He
is German, and his religious ideas are rather
indefinite. He was bronght up in the Luthe-
rean faith or some offshoot of it. Gordon gives
deep attention to his religious adviser. Two of
Gordon's relatives spent nearly an hour with
him last evening, bidding him farewell at ten
O'Clock. Neither have made any confession,
and neither will do so. That is the opinion of
Warden Rice and others who have been most
conversant with them. Wagner has been read
ing Celia Thaxter's article in the Atlantic. He
expressed horror for woman who can write
such a series of falsehoods for money. There
is not near SO much excitement about the exc
cution as last February.
at this time, II o'clock, no arrangements
have been made public as to the executions
Indeed it is not known, or will not be announc-
ed at what hour the execution will take place.
Several columns of Wagner's free conversations
might be telegraphed, but nothing beyond that
which has not already been published time and
again. S.
Schooner Rurned.
RocKLAND, June 24-Last night the schoon-
or Thomas w. Thorne, Wilson captain, for Bos-
ton, owned by Lineken & Austin, of Thomas
ton, was burned at that place. She sprung a
leak setting fire to the lime with which she was
loaded. Sails and rigging saved Hull and
spars a total loss. No insurance. A.
ITO the Associated Press.l
Burglary.
AUGUSTA, June 24.-Three boys, John Fitz-
gerald, VIM. Nichols and VIM. Cragan, were
bound over to-day for entering the store of the
didn't steal anything.
State Universalist Convention.
BELFAST, June 24-Tho meetings in connec-
tion with the Universalist State Convention
have been fully attended through the day. At
5 a. m. large and very interesting prayer and
conference meeting was held. Ats, meeting of
Women's Centenary Association took place.
Mrs. G. w. Case, Vice President for Maine,
presided and made report, and addresses by
Mrs. e. H. Cobb of Boston, Mrs. G. w. Quin.
by of Augusta, Mrs. Newman of Lewiston,
were made. Fifty five dollars in membership
fees and contributions were collected, besides
ss27 for Mrs, G. o. Soule. This meeting was
followed by the women's prayer meeting, at
which special prayer was offered for the two
criminals to be executed tomorrow and their
friends, and for the temperance reform move
ment in the state. At half past ten a meeting
to consider educational interests was held, at
which speeches were made by ex Gov. Perham,
Rev. DR.. Quinby, Rev. III. G. Leonard and Rev.
j. O.. Snow. Resolutions paying tribute to the
memary of Hon. N. G. Hichborn and Gen. S.
i. Hersey were adopted. In the afterr DON an
able sermon was preached by Rev. G. P. Nash
OF Rockland, followed by communion service.
AT the business meeting reports of the treas
urer and executive committee were adopted the
latter embodying an amendment to the by
laws providing an annual collection by parish
es for state convention. Report was adopted
recommending the holding of a series of mass
oonft rences under the direction of the executive
committee, the first at Sea Side summer. Hon.
E. O. Bean Of Readfield Phlo Hersey of Bel
fast, I'll. r. Sargent of Portland, were appoint
ed committee to visit Westbrook Seminary
Rockland was selected as the place for the
next annual session. After disposing of minor
matters of business and passing the usual votes
Of thanks the convention adjourned at 6 p m.
Meetings close with several reunions at Uni
yersalist chur eh this evening.
Hot Weather.
BRUNSWICK, June 24.-This is the hottest day
of the season. Tbs thermometer stands at So
in the shade.
Meeting at Bangor Trotfing Park.
BANGOR, June 24'-In the sweepstakes race
for $3.50, V. G. Halls Phil Sheridan won in
three straight heats. Time 2.33 IA, 2.33 IA
231 3.4. Lothair won the consolation purse of