The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-06
THE .MURDERER'S DOOM.
GEORGE HOWELL, NgGR", HANGED YEsrER-
DAY FOR THE MURDER OF ELS EMP OYER
AN AWFUL CRIME ExpIATED BY DRATH-rHE
TERRIBLE STORY OF THE SHOOTING.

a
DAY For THE MURDER OF BIS EMP OYER
AN AWFUL CRIME ExrIAT ED by DRATH-THE
TERRIBLE STORY OF THE SHOOTING.
LBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
GREESviLLE, Tenn, Sept. 5, 1878
The execution OF George Howell, colored, tor the
murder OF Joseph Martin took place to- day in the
presence OF few officials small crowd OF spec
tstors The black cap ana shroud were placed on the
prisoner IN the cell and the procession left tho Jail at
twenty minutes to one, reaching the gallsws about
ono r. ii. Howell made rambling and incohercnt
statement, occupying about thirteen mnulos In de-
livery, in which no Martin family being
the cause OF his shameful DEATH After a short re-
igous service the black cup drawn his face,
the rope adjusted, and at gwen signal the drop lo
The neck was not broken, and II not un I'll he had
been suspended about forty-seven minutes that no
was pronounced dead.
CRIME.
The murder for which Howell paid tho penalty OF his
life was one OF the revolving that disgraced
the annals OF crime East Tennessee. the murderer
averrDg that the whole affair planned by the wife
and children OF Martin. the murdered man. Howell is
negro boy, not yet seventeen years oil age.
10 this section IRON Georgia about two years ago
He worked on tho far ms Of several gentlemen up
per East Tennessee ana, tue 10th OF June, 1877,
commenced to work Tor Joseph Martin for
IS per month. In his confession, made
shortly after his conviction Howell regards that az
the most unfortunate day oil his life. He had been
there but u short time wnen no discovered that tho
family was not happy one, quarrslng aud b.cxerng
being OF frequent occurrence. Joseph Martin, though
the iathor OF a large family, not q man Of do.
msstic haots aud he frequently absent from
home One oil these occasions was 10
his wife considered It dsserLion anu Obtained d.
vorcs with aiMony. THIS look him entirely by sur
Prise on his return out II did not take INN long 10
Wn ch anarf M
aiimony, ana he persuaded his VIE to again enter
The married state. Her relatives were opposed 10
marriage, but his arguments were TOO CONVINCING
ana she elOped Win him the second time
their Graf match having spice OF Gro.na Green
about IT, having achieved bis object, Martin 5000
demonstrated that love had not Dcen the guiding
principle and acted in such manner as to Mira
him fssriuliy ana he threatened TO XIII her nc.
count OF it. On another occasion no Knocked one
OF his daughters down with chair, anu Otherwise
matreated her because she remonstratea with him
account oil his ioose habits.
WHAT HOWELL CONFESSED
The following statements were made by Howell
whie u prisoner under sentence OF death. Tho ap-
paing deciaralon u made that he but a tool ia
the hands OF Mrs. Martin and her children, who In
stgatod HIM to DO the bloody deed. He that
evening IN the latter part vi October nrst No.
vemoer 1877, no WAS IN the sitting room with tho
famy-excopt Mr.. Martin who was ubsent-when
Mrs Martin told him her husband mad threatened
tie initiative ana put Martin out Of the
way hrst adding as AN inducements that
Martins little son, aycd thirteen years, then
spoke mp and told Gaorge he would give him "two
calves and q pig If he would shoot bis father"
Howell alter that conversation was under
stood ia tho family that hs was 10 XIII Martin and
they were to Keep hum out OF danger therefor.
Matters went on us usual until the advsnt of the |
Christmas holidays whom, amid tho foasiing Howell
wus remind ed that he mad not complied with The |
bloody agreement entered into two mouths Prev.
ousy, ana he took the first opportunity that offered
for carrying out the contract Three days utter
Martin, his son and the negro were cutting aud
Ing wood and the latter endeavored to split hts
poyer's head open with an axe, but was folled by
team suddenly starting of.
THE MURDER
hen they came home ~ supper Howell told Maggie
Martin how near nor luther mad been to his death.
After supper, while cutting wood, little Bob took
the wsapon-an Euhcld army r,1o-out to Howell Ind
told him that iI WAS loaded with two charges Of pow.
der, handicl OF squirrel shot and rife oalis,
tsiiipg ham also 10 around to the front OF the house
ana shoot his father. howell LOOK the rife and
around, looking INTO tue room as nc did Mag !
side OF the fireplace. Bobbo next 70 tho |
buck door, and Martin in front OF tho fire. |
The children wero all out OF range. Howell
then stepped on = plank nour tho edge OF
doomed man, taxing am AZ his lmtn odately on
beng wounded Msfun ran out Of tho house, going
toward the meadow, while Howell went out through
tue front CUTE, loading his gun with powder as no
went and nring It, calming out vt the same time
Ihough he saw some ono saiu he did tins to create
.he impression that Martin had been shot by ,ramps
Martin had been puoyed up by excitement, but tue
loss oi blood made him faint, and no was taken 70
Thomas Stokes house, where hs died; but Ooiore
doing told Howell to go buck homo ROMAN with
the children not suspecting HIM at all This no did,
and. putting away the gun large room,
where lie says Miss Haggis him ana
ADVISED him TO leave the country, which advice, now
ARREST OF THE MURDERER
Howell tried 10 steep but couia not, and went up to
Limestone Depot on tho early morning freight train
und informed Mrs. Martin VI her husbands SON |
ditiop. he ,ncn started 10 return but arrested
and his admissions were such that he lodged IN
jail HIS case came up Tor triul At the June form,
ls7S Of tho Circuit Court, at Greenv,Ile anu he Vas
convicted and sentenced 10 be hanged August toll
lowing, but was resphsd until! september ..