The daily gazette., 1878-03-22
FIFTH EDITION.
THE EXECUTION.
LATER pAITlCULARS-THE JURY
THE LAST MOVEMENTS
CHAMBERS DECLARES
HE Is INNOCENT.

George Collins, as was duly announced
in an earlier edition of to-day's paper,
came off at New Castle, at 11:15 O'Clock
this morning.
After breakfast, of which both men
partook sparingly, they were visited by
their spiritual advisers, Isaac Young and
Thomas Herbert, who prayed and sang
with them fervently for nearly an hour.
Both men Joined heartily in the singing.
The following juries were summoned
by the Sheriff to attend the execution:
The jury selected to witness the execr-
ton of Chambers was as follows: Wm.
Herbert, jesse Reeves, Charles w. Con-
yers, Charl es V. Wise, Isaac n. Grubb,
Frank II arding, b. w. Shaefier, Jacob
Richards on, A. S. Pennington, w. H..
Lambson, Henry NJ, Barlow, James
Rodgers.
The following was the Collins jury:
Benjamin +. Townsend, Elwood Sing
ley, VIM II. Dobb, James Brown, w. II.
Rothwell, Benjamin f. Stradley, Jacob
Butz, William ii. Quinn, William w.
Anthony, Samuel H. Black, John Nc
Caffrey, Thomas l. Russell.
Between 10 and II o'clock the doomed
men were visited by Rev. b. McMakin,
of New Castle, and by Messrs. Morrow,
Powick and Todd, of the Y. NJ. G. A, of
this city, all of whom bade them final
farewell. Chambers earnestly thanked
Mr.. Morrow and his associates for their
kind actions in behalf of him and his
companion.
About 1850 o'clock Warden Herdman
entered the cell of the prisoners and COM
menced the preparations for the execu-
ton by pinioning their arms behind their
backs. They were then led out to the
gallows, and walked up on the platform,
facing the Jail yard, where some 200 peo-
pie were assembled.
Rev. Mr.. McMackin offered fervent
prayer, and Rev. Mr.. Young read a
hymn, two lines at time, the condemn
ed men singing the lines after him, in
low and faltering tones.
The men were then asked if they had
anything to say, and Chambers respond
ed in sort othalf prayer, and half speech.
He thanked God that his future prospect
| was bright, and said he hoped soon to
see the "reward of his labors." Pro-
! ceeding he saId, "God bless the Cover.
nor Of this State, and keep him under
Thy protection, make him good and
useful ruler and forgive HIM for the
wrong he has done me-"
Chambers also prayed for a blessinl
upon the Sheriff, anu hoped this would
be the last time he would be called on tc
hang any one.
Chambers closed by declaring his in
are about to punish an innocent man.
will tell you the truth. l was cheated b,
the:men who brought me here and b,
the Squire and the Constable. Only on,
side of my case has been heard, but
have no power TO prevent my beinI
hung; God forbid that this State shal
ever hang another innocent man." H.
concluded by saying, "I'm ready to &c
now, my life's work is DONE"
Collins spoke only few words, and il
such low tone as to be inaudible excep
one sentence, "Pray to God for me an
meet me in Heaven"
Everything being in readiness, til
Sheriff and Warden Herdman adjuste
the nooses, the black caps were draw
over the mems heads, and at Ill
o'clock theSheriff struck two quick blow
with a hatchet, which severed the rop
holding the trap i'll position. The ira
lswung downward, and the two droppe
to their doom. Collins after one convu
lsive movement, hung motionless, bt
Chambers drew his legs up several tim,
and gasped audibly for nearly five mil
utes.
In eleven minutes life was pronounce
extinct by the attending physicians, d
y G. T. Maxwell, of New Castle, and d
C. Lewis, of Philadelphia. AT 11:36 Il
ropes were cut by the Sheriff, and Il
dead bodies lowered into collins. TIL,
were taken in charge by Thomas Ru
= sell.
Then the gates were opened, the CROW
: departed from the Jail yard, and the e
cution was over.