Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-12
Executions in Maryland.

BELAIR, Nd, March II Joshua Grlthn,
cvlored, was hanged near this place this morn
lug for the murder of Miss Susan Taylor, near
of October 1874.
Grifiu was twenty-five years old, aud had
been raised by h. murdered woman. lie was
born in the jail at BeIair, his mother being a
prisoner at the tlme.
On the morning of the execution he made a
full confession of his crime 10 the sheriff, say
ioy that he killed Miss Taylor on account Of a
grudge he had against Henry Taylor, the MUIR
dered woman's brother, who had whipped him
previously, Miss Taylor having been the cause
of the whipping. The evidence agaiost Griffin
was entirely circumstantial, but very strong.
The place of execution was on the Aims House
farm, one mile and a-half from Belair. A
space thirty-two feet square was enclosed by a
high board fence. The gallows being erected
Inside, no one was admitted but the counsel
engaged ia the case, the officers Of the law,
and mcubers OF the press. The prisoner was
taken out at nioe and a-half o'clock, heavily
manacled aod euveloped 10 black gown. The
arrangements Tor the execution we're we'll or
dered by the sheriff, William B. Jarrett, who
pulled the drop at nine minutes after 10 a. m.
The prisoner was accompanied to the gal
lows by bis spiritual adviser, Rev. David
Baker, of the colored Presbyterian Church.
After siugiug hymn, in which Critic joined
with the MINISTER the latter offered up a..tervent
prayer, after which the platform was vacated
by all except the condemned man. After the
drop fell Griffin struggled convulslvcy for at
least ten minutes before nature gave way. His
body was permitted to hang for twenty-five
minutes. when it was cut down, and being ex-
auiued by DR.. K Hall Richards, of Belair,
and Drs j. + Michael and A. u. WiDches-
ter, of Baltimore, life was pronounced ex-
tiuct. The body was taken in charge by
the Sheriff and Inferred in the buryDg
ground upon the aims house farm.
EAsToN, TALBOT County, Nd, March IL.
George Wheeler, the negro, will be- banged to.
day, for the murder of Mrs. Margaret W hit
mau, a white woman, on the 18th of July last,
10 this county. The condemned was visited
yesterday D. ID. by Rev. +. B. Newman and
Lewis E. Barrett, white, and Martin Webb,
coored, of the Methodist Church; two
hours were spent 10 religious exercises
Newman and Barrett then retired, Webb
remained and several colorcd religious
friends were admitted who remained with him
until after ten. Wheeler then paced his room,
praying singing and shouting evidently much
excited. About IL o'clock the Sheriff pre-.
vailed upon him 10 retire. He slept W II until
early dawn when he renewed his deVotioDs,
singing, praying and talking to himself. About
half past seven o clock usual breakfast was taxi
en- to him but he ate only piece Of bread
aud drank a cup of cohee. The Sheriff
dressad him 10 black suit; he seemed much
excited, but was quiet and yielding. He became
more quiet, aud at ten o'clock bis spiritual ad
wiser visited him again and remained with him
until eleven clock, when the Sheriff came to
couduct him to the gallows. Shortly after eev-
en- the condemned seated in wagon with the
Sheriff, followed by Go. A., Capt. Roberts,
twenty men, eight deputies and large crowd,
left for Wright's Race Course, three quarters
of mile distant.