Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-22
DOUBLE EXECUTION TO-DAY.
Two NeSrOeS HANGED I'm DeIaMara

NEW CASTLE, DEL, March 22.-Saml Cham
victed of outraging Kate Smith, alias 0'Toole,
near Middletown. August 18th last, We're
hanged here today. The woman was tramp
and in company with James Smith. alias Clegg,
her alleged husband, was tramping through
the state. Since the trial and conviction,
Clegg has made a confession declaring that
his testimony was false and that the woman
was not his wife, but a common prostitute
and that the acts for which the men were con-
yicted were committed with her consent On
the strength of this and other evidence tend
ing to weaken the testimony at the trial, peti-
tiOnS for pardon and others for a reprieve
have been presented to the governor. and so
late aSyesterday and the day before delega-
tiOnS of citizens and lawyers called upon him
in behalf OF the condemned men, but without
avail. Chambers was thirty-fve years of age
and Collins about nineteen. Last night they
rested better than any time since they have
They breakfasted lightly, and at $50 were
visited by two cOlOred ministers, RevS. Isaac
Young and Thomas NJ. Herbert.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the prisoners were
visited by the Rev. b. McMakin. Baptist, of
New Castle, and by delegation of the Young
Mems Christian Association, whom Chambers
thanked for their efforts in his and Collins be-
half. The three ministers remained and the
prisoners We're greatly affected. AT 1880
Warden Herdmann piniOned the prisoners,
and at l05 they were led out. Sheriff Grubb,
Chambers, Collins, ReyS. Herbert Young and
McMakin, and Warden Herdmann assembled
the scatfOld in order named. About two
hundred persons were present to witness the
execution. At IL o'clock, Rev. Mr. McMakin
made prayer of five minutes duration, the
prisoners frequently making responses of
Amen" A hymn was then given out by the
Rev. MI. Young, and sang by the prisoners,
whose voices were weak and tremulouS.
Chambers then expressed himself as forgiv-
ing Governor Cochran and those who had
injured him, and called on God to bless his
friends and enemies alike. He then declared
his innocence of the crime for which he was to
suffer, and hoped that Delaware would never
hang another Innocent man under the same
circumstances He then said, huSkiy, "Let
me 60 now: l am ready. Life's work is
DONE"
Collins spoke so low that he was nearly in
audible. He made short prayer, asking God
to forgive him. The ScaffOld was then deserted
by all but Sheriff Grubb and Warden Herd
mann and Rev. Mr.. Young. The nooses were
then adjusted upon the mems necks and the
black caps drawn over their heads.
At IL :lS a. m. Sheriff Grubb, with two blows
of the hatchet, severed the ropes and the
bodies fell straight down with heavy thud.
Collins made one convulSve movement, and
was still. Chambers drew himself up several
times and then made no movement, but that
OccaSioued by breathing, which lasted about
five minutes. Chambers died i'm eleven min
uteS and Collins half a minnie later. Both
died easily. The bodies were cut down and
placed in pine cOfins, and application will be
made for their burial in the aims house GENE
terry at Wilmington. There was little or no ex
cifemeut manifested here.