The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-12
END OF A BAD LIFE.
a Fire Runner aud Political Rough Completes
His Career on the GallOwS.
SURE OF SALVATION.
Last Hours Of the Convict and His
Final Strangulation.

Corrupt and degrading political associations such
pcrvade the larger American cities have their
raj result 10 the OF tho wretch who expiatcd his
crimes upon tho galows in this city to-day. He bore
The name-Heaven savo the mark !-of George WASH
ington Fletcher Born OF good, respectable family,
with brother exhorter In the Methodist Church,
he has been the black sneep OF the flock. obslnatey
repcng all good iDnucnces, he has deliberately fol-
lowed life OF crime from pcyhood up, and nothing
we'll shows the depths which local politics in tins
city have sunk as the fact that this man was able
dehantiy TO pursue the life be did merely because
no had political friends whose dirty work did So
cured immunity from punishment BY the small Try
ward politicians to whom his aid was valuable, this
was nurtured In the belief that for him the law
could have no icrrors that "inhuence' could not
move Tho leader Of gang whose services as repeat
IT'S at the polls in the interest OF corrupt ring Of
JAILED republicans Fletcher found that could deiy
e law and its officers Hrs history is catalogue OF
offences against law, bat its sudden ending In the
midst OF his career In the very prime OF lite. proves
that justice does not always sleep In Pnadolphix,
even when q politician is the transgrcssor.
sLErcHERs CAREER.
Fletcher was born portion Of the city called
Southwark in 1915 lie was only eleven years OF age
whom his innate cruelty OF disposition showed itself
cutting OF Pigs tails at pork packers yards. He
committed to the House OF Refuge for this offence
released aud couple Of years Inter engaged
IN o row with colored boy named Robert Clayton,
now living In Anterior street, near Ficlcher's
Did home, and gave him a serious stab Ia
The side with knife. About this time the
rebellion broke out and Fletcher followed the FIRST
Pennsylvania Reserves 10 the Army OF the Potomac,
deserted and aiterwnrd became what was known as
'bounty jumper" Al the close OF the war ne shipped
in the navy and was drawn TO fill the Swntaras quota
one OF the vessels which accompanied ADMIRAL FArra.
gut's fleet 10 Europe. On their homeward cruise he
deserted from the SwatarA At Antwerp. He swan
ashore. He then made his way TO Liverpool, IRON
which place no worked his passage 70 Phadcphia on
Fletcher and James Haney had both been runners
with tho Marion Hose, of the old volunteer hro depart
ment and on the formation OF the paid department
both secured positions The TWO had been companions
IN boyhood, but had grown up very different in char
acter Fletcher having become young trough" and
political "strikern aud HAnoy n quiet, InoHcnsve,
sober and industrious young man. Fletcher and his
chosen companions planned series oil robhcries, but
WORK, while they obtained tho 'Hwng'' and divided
tue profits among themselves.
Fc,cher's later career as fireman was marked with
acts OF violence, Of which was the shooting OF
companion nnmea stark, which occurred some tmo
previous TO the murder OF Hancy rhis was SET
tied like many others IN which no was Involved aud
never reached tho courts
4aa EMPLOYMENT.
Fletcher and hts carly companion Hanley appeared
TO continue on irendy terms until tho spring OF 1874
when Fletcher was arrested charged with having
mitted IN on rage % girl about fourteen years Of
April, 1874, the Grand Jury found bill against
him this charge, and ne tried three days after
and acquitted but the accusation HIM bus position
In the Fire Department Alter losing his situation
Fletcher was for long time out VI work. he com
planned greatly his troubles and placed the entire
blame on Hanley. He frequently made threats that no
would Kill him, and bis desire for revenge increased
his repeated efforts TO have himself reinsated in the
Fire Department were unsuccessful
On election day, November z, 1870 the day before
HanIey was murdered, Fletcher attempted 70 vote
illegally At poll In tho First ward Frank WILCOX
residing IN Redwood street, in,erposed objections,
whercupon tho fireman rough levelled his pistol and
caused the barrel to point downward, and the bail
lodged ia wilcoxs foot Tnnt sago day with pistol ~
hand, Fletcher was securing the Vicinity ofthe Neck"
with tho Intention OF killing one Antonio Hale.
his LAST CRANE.
Shortly before eight O'Clock on the evening of tho
81 Fletcher visited the engine house to which Hnpey
vas attached. Az the door he Of tho members
named pinker, OF whom no inquired lis jimmy Han
ley up stalrsY"
"1hen." returned Fletcher, tell hun 10 come down;
1 want 10 SEQ him.
comes down here there will DO .rouOio between you
and him."
Fletcher replied quickly, ''oh no there wont; saw
him up town to-day ana We made up"
.'Ail right, Them said PlukcT, II will call him,
and he then called up stairs. Hanlcy was reading
BOOK, but laid u down and came down STAIRS lmine-
aiatey. The words, "How are you ght ~ passed
between him and Fletcher and they went toward the
outside together IN friendly way.
HanIey leaned against the jumb OF the door, and VI
: drlzzang ram was falling P,nker asked him
.ad ho had not better put coat on Harley
The latter took coat from The truck and advanced
With u to Hanley, telling nim where 10 place II
raised bis arms TO pull the coat on when Fletcher drew
small pistol and nred. Tho ball entered Hanley's
heart and, reeIing back into tie engine house, tho
wounded man exclaimed that Fletcher had shot min,
aud ell Puker and somc OF tho other bremen ilted
Lm aud carried hlm up stars 10 lounge, on which
no expired III about i've minutes.
Fletcher was ut once arrested. His trial took place
lew weeks later, and, verdict OF guilty OF murder
Jury and trial refused, Fletcher on the 18th OF
tcpruary was sentenced 10 DO hanged by the mock
until duado Tho Governor liked lust year ago tor
the execution but through the legal delays and argu-
ments In the Supreme Court the execution was post
poned.
Since Bletcher's conviction the most strenuous
Efforts have made 10 secure his pardon, mainly
by potciaus Ia whose behalf he has often rendered
Important services at tue polls James n. iicvoriu,
the prisoners COUNSEL has also abored most faithfully
IL behalf OF his cllen not ceasns his cndcavors TO
procure parcon or n rcpricve until within twenty
lour hours oi his death.
ms LAST HOURS on EARTH.
Recently the conduct Of the condcmcd man has
undergone change under tho Of the Row.
!. j. camp. the Moihodst preacher, who has been IN
aithiuI attendance upon him. Fletcher leaves wits
and thrse children aged respectively i've, thrco and
tDout two years, all OF whom have been frequent vsl
ors 70 hun and have had softeniug elect upon him.
he has gradually come TO DO repcnant Tor his crimes
aud to take comfort in the Consultations OF religion
Yesterday he WAS visited for the last time oy his
iAmily bis counsel Mr. Heverin, Rev Dr. Westwood.
George h. Stuart aud others. Ills last iarewcs are
SAID ~ have been vcry touching.
Fletcher vent 10 sleep about ten O'Clock last night
and slept soundly Tor ave hours. His spiritual Nd.
vsers we're with him until he retired, anu no prayed
fcrventiy with them. When he awokc this morning,
II half-psst three O'Clock, no 1t cigar and sat on
Iooi IN thoughtful mood lie talked 70
Keeper EVERY Of his death, and SAID no
was prepared to die. "ln three four
bours.h said he, II SHALL DO In heaven" Early
this morning he was yts.ed by Rev. Mcssrs Camp and
Pearcc, and sang with them 10 clear loud voice, tho
'Crucincd One" one oil Moody ana Sankey's hymns,
commencing, s'lt IL the promise OF God fu salvation
10 give" which seemed OF all sacred pieces his
Ito His voice rang out clear 10 The corridor aud
Ihe prisoners him must have distinctly heard u,
Tor his door parity open His brother.iu.law. Mr.
Bobey, paid his farewell this morning.
TIM kxECrTioy
The Sheriff and his party arrived az the prison at
sehtesn minutes before ten O'CLOCK aud upon being
that his counsel we're among the visitors Fletcher
Tor them. An affecting interview result, all OF
tho party, including cx-5hern Leeds, coming out OF
Abe cell with their Dyes full or tears The scaloid was
erected IN the c0nvcps corridor. A. ten minutes past
ten Fletcher was brought from his Cell, and tho
dismal procession walked 10 tho galiowa As