The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-12
GEO. ". ILETCTrER HANGED.
How the Perp-trstor OF Most Cowardiy
Murder NJ ct His Fate.


PHILADELPHIA, June 1l.-Gcorge WASH
ineton Fletcher was hanged Mt 10 A. NJ. to-day.
in the corridor of Moyamensing prison. for tho
murder of James iianley IN November. 1875.
Flctchcrs Inst night in his cell wns an unevent-
ful one. After taking leave of all his relatives
and friends and his counsel in the afternoon.
he devoted the early part Of the evening tc sing
ing hymns Atahou' 10 o'clock he fell asleep.
but shortly aftcrwarl awoke. and lighting a
cigar. smoked for some time. Tho keeper. ut
his request, read Hbc to him until near mid
night. when he again fell nsccp. At twenty
minutes OF four this morning he awcko and
dressed himself In the new suit OF black
which had been supplied him by ono Of
his old political frionis Until o'clock he em-
ployed himself in singing hymns. the iavorte
one being Jesus. Lover Of my Soul" Then
his two spiritual ADVISORS entered the cell and
remained with him until the final moment. At
7 he nto small breakfast of ham and eggs
furnished from the table OF the superintendent
He and the ministcrsthen resumed their devo-
tions until the arrival Of the, Sheriff and his
party about ga o'clock. Fletcher had re-
quested to see his counsel. MIR. jam IL
before the sheriff, arrived. aud these
Mcssrs. kneuss and Hawkins. all badt him
igrewrll. whicn was 80 affecting that all except
III
self cried like n child at "A reference from the
minister to :he visit of his wife Yesterday. Mr..
Hrv"rin pntted him on the shoulder saving,
: George. do you think you can stand IT -
Then the doomed man quickly iaccd him. dried
ms Eyes and repiird; Don't fear; | viii 20
10 stay with % him to the lust moment. i Sr orion from
tins time forth he gave no indication Of
weakness
formed. the Sheriff and tho Superintendent
lraiing. ana Fletcher and his spiritual atVlsers
following. th" Shcrlil Jury. counsel. and news
paper mon bringing up the rrHr. As Fiet her
approached the scatiold in the corridor of the
prison he remarked aloud. Jesus. N coming
lirm stop. Alter brioi prayer hy the Rev. JOS
Camp. hs chief spiritual adviser. the two min
listers left the sHioll 80 hurriedly ard 50 EVIL
IDENTIFY overcome that tl"y neglected to hid their
charge good 10y, mistake which they rrmcdled
altcr the Sh"rii mad called them bbk The
Shorln then adjusted the moose. while the
ir son Snpcrintenioht pinipn"d the hands,
Fletcher keeping his cy's raised during the
proc even after the placing y the zap over
his ne. The amen AT the l'lo-r Of n lew dovO-
tonal words was the signal for the drop 10 TAIL
and II tell. the sheriff Keeping his pt'-ru' 'e "
mind Ion. enough 10 AIv.. the cord the a u,rrssa-
of the Iookcr- ON was divided 10y the con ia oi
the r., ling Shcr.ff and the hanging man. The
eih 1al was so comp'r~ly pro7traisd that
floor. and he had to hc carried on IN
a faintlns ,comiiton. flct,hers body
was then cut down. and % WIS as ertaiuci that
h" died without sp"rial pain from strunguA
ton. 1t WAS stated 10y tho aged physician of III,
PRISON. who had sn"n many "Ncrut .ons. that B.,
hud never known "A ciiso whore tn" neck wls
broken. tut inat Ail NAT died of stran- ultt4on
NOR, especially when the man il of = Lht franc
~ fl"i'h"r was. W,lghnE onlN ~ pounds
Fletcher WAS about thirty wears old. aui leaves
vile AMI three children. one of whom wHs
born since the crime Tor which he died was
An Incident Of Fleichers Imprisonment has
never been published. bcng known 10 a low
Il. I.Af Hl| - a. f