Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-12-28
EXECUTION OF HENRY NORFOLK.


Henry Norfolk suffered the death penalty
at Annapolis, on Friday last for the murder
of his wife by sudden blows with a heavy
stick on he head. He was the first white
man ever hanged in that city according to
the memory Of the Oldest inhabitant. Nor
folk was a maa of british appearance, and
thick, ox-like neck lie was 26 wears of
age, and stood, as measured in Jail, 5 feet
| III inches in his stockings and 20 inches across
the breast. lie was very round in build. He
confessed that he killed his wife, not from
hate, illwill, or dislike even, but from an I'M
lawful passion which he wickedly nourished
for the youngest sister OF his wife, girl of l6,
who was guiolessly ignorant, her friends
aver, OF his purposes concerning her.
| Norfolk declared in paper written BY him
self last Saturday that nothing had ever hap
pened ''to mar tho happiness Of his married
life" and that his wife twas most anfiabIe
woman, whose every wish was his pleasure"
He also wrote that he attended day and Sun
day school until he was sixteen years old, and
that the happiest days of bis life were when be
was at Sunday school. He was born in Calvert
county in 1852. He never drank liquor of any
kind, and neither smoked nor chewed tobacco
lie was good and careful provder for his
family, and this one awful deed seems to have
been the only crime Of his life. He had been
married several years and had three children,
all girls, the eldest Eve years old. The young
est, an infant at the mothers death died since
his trial. None of the children were brought
TO see him in Jail. His aged parents were
sick, it is supposed from grief, and none of
his relatives saw him Thursday except his
brother-in-law, John Armiger, and Frank
Armiger. They, with other neghbors, took
charge of the remains, in regard 10 the dispo-
sition of which he showed solcitude, and for
which he made special requests OF them. He
had conversations with Frank twice during
the morning. calling him into his CELL
Neither of the Armigers witnessed the execu-
ton, but withdrew temporarily.
Among the vast crowds of both colors, in
Guiding few white women, who swarmed on
low roofs and fences in view, were many from
the part OF the county where Norfolk lived -
All the morning, from dawn, could be seen on
every road 10 the ancient city professions of
pilgrims TO the tragic scene of expiation for
one of the most revolving murders, as man
said, in the annals of crime.
The gallows was erected in the Jail yard,
within twenty feet of the window OF Norfolk's
cell, and for two days he had looked out on it,
He exhibited emotion, and often wept. His
coffin, of plain walnut, provided in part by
his father, having cost more than the county
allows in such cases, was never seen by him,
though he passed in view Of the box inclosing
it in coming down the Jail stars to go on The
scafold.
Norfolk spent the hours up to the execution
in religious conversation with Rev Mr.. Lem
mon, who left him about 1890, and Revs. W.
A. Mcdonald and j. w Steele of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South.
Mr.. Mcdonald offered prayer during which
Norfolk sobbed and moaned, apparently from
the effect of the prayer, moving his body to
aud fro. Part OF the time Norfolk leaned with
his arm over the sherlf's shoulder, as if a
brace or for support. After the prayer,
Norfolk spoke in loud, clear voice. He said
Farewell, all Of you. Take warning from
my example, for am to be hung for the MUIR
der of my wife, but am going home to glory.
have received the greatest kindness from
every body-the good Christian people, the
sheriff and oficers--and my counsel have been
more like brothers 10 me. Good bye, all of
you. | will never meet you more on earth,
but hope to meet you all in Heaven.
The sheriff then started down the steps, his
back towards the prisoner, and as he went
down he gave a jerk at the lever railing, the
trap door fell at IL 3d. and Norfolks body
swung in mid-air through the opening He
was perfectly motioness for few seconds, and
then for some minutes drew up and kicked out
his legs. 10 thirteen minutes the body was
lowered, the pulse and heart felt, aud life was
extinct.
The body was Immediately placed in q wal
nut coffin by friends, and and removed in a
wagon TO the burial ground near Friendship,
where his father had purchased lot for the
purpose, distant from that in which the MUIR
dered wife is buried.
| There were about $50 persons adm tilted to
the jail yard, though ticke,s were issued for
but $50. rope forty feet square around the
scaffold kept back the crowd.