Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-02-10
A Double Execution at Wnllamsport.
CArHARlNE MILLER ANp GEORGE SMITH FAY
THE EXTREME PENALTY OF ruE LAW FOR
the MURDER or ANDREW MILLER.

ter, took place in the jail yard at vii.
Transport, on last Thursday, ll.2O :. NJ.
in the presence OF one hundred and
| fifty people. Long before the hour of
execution the streets in the immediate
vicinity of the jail were thronred with
an excited crowd, who, though they
could neither see nor hear, stood for
long hours in the bitter cold under the
impression that they might be able to
crafty their curiosity 10y getting look
at the dead.
About one o'clock on the morning oi
the execution, the Rev. j. 4. Bright,
spiritual adviser OF Smith, and news.
paper reporter visited Smith IN his cell.
They found the prisoner asleep, but as
1t was at his request that they came be
was awakened. lie was in cheerful
spirits. The minister administered the
sacrament to him, which he received in
deep seriousness. \ copy of his last
confession was then read to hun, which
he pronounced correct. At 4 o'clock
he called for his break fast, which he ate
heartily and apparently with great rel
ish. \ barber visited him, shaved ms
face and cut his hair. Smith freely con.
yersiug with him and disclaimiur ncr.
vousness.
MRS. MILLER EEukTN uowN.
Mrs. Miller also arose atau early hour
and took her breakfast, but, as she had
passed a restless night, appeared to bee
much broken down. At 10 o'clock the
prisoners were III consultation with
their spiritual advisers, the Rev. i. A.
Bright being with Smith and the Rev.
7. 7. Rceser with Mrs. Miller. Both
stated that they were provided with
power to meet their doom
At / O'Clock they were brought from
their cells to the lower corridor Of the
Jail. where the death warrants were read
10 them 10y Sheriff Wilson, after which
the procession TO the gil.pws was form
ed. Deputy Sheriff Icagcr walked with
Smithand policeman and a turnkey
with Mrs. Miller, who walked with great
effort, leaning heavily on her assistants
and eroaniuR frequently
On Tuesday Mrs Miller made a soc.
ord confession. IN which she acknowl
edged her guilt Smiths last confcs.
sion was made on the previous ~alur.
day. In this he acknowledged hls
guilt and fully excuiplted the negro
Brown, who was arrested soon after the
murder upon the statements of both
prisoners IN their first c1nfcs -ions aud
who was declared IN subsequent couic.
sIons OF both prisoners 10 be not guilty
THE FATAL vDurSr.
After the statements had been read
prayer was offered up by the Rev Mr.
tteeser. both prisoners sitting on the
trap with uncovered heads and shiyer
ing violently with the cold. When the
black caps were adjusted Mr.. Miller
began utering heartrendiue and dis.
| tressing cries.
While the minister was reading
passage OF Scripture. Sheriff Wilson
| sprang the trap, the bodies falling five
feet and hanging motioulcss, not even a
/ tremor being PreceptibIe.
| The Sheriff decided TO let the bodies
/ hang thirty minutes. during which time
the attending physicians made frequent
| examinations OF the pulses until the
/ expiration Of seven minutes. Then
/ Mrs. Miller was pronounced dead.
/ while Smiths pulse continued to beat
1 ieebly few minutcr later At ll58
/ the bodies were lowered into the collins.
where, upon examination by the physi.
/ clans, it was found that both uecka had
| been dslocated. The moose around the
neck Of smith had slipped to tho back
Of his neck. After the bodies had been
| placed in the collins they were taken
/ charge OF by friends. who removed them
to Jersey Shore for iutermcnt.
the BLOODY DEEp.
The murder for which George Smith
and Catharine Miller were executed
I sc fA 4
cool delIbeTaiion. IL occurred on the
night of March rs, 1850, about half
mile from the village Of Jersey Shore
and sixteen miles from Wllliamsport.
According to the confessions Of the pfis.
oners the motive Of the crime was
merely u desire to get the husband Of
| Mrs. Miller out Of the way. so that they
could live together Various plans were
devised for accomplishing the purpose.
The plan selected and which was carried
into effect on the night named was az
follows: Smith came in the night and
made a noise at the barn, which aroused
Andrew Miller, the victim, who was
sent out by his wife to see what the
noise was. lie was met by Smith. who
ielled him with heavy club and, strik.
ing him several blows, carried him into
the barn. Being joined by Cathsrine
Miller they placed a rope around his
neck and hung him to beam. TO give
bis death the appearance OF suicide.
Owing to the marks OF violence on the
body after it was discovered and the
known intimacy between Smith and
Mrs. Miller they were arrested on sus.
pioiOn OF committing the crime and
placed in JAIL The testimony Of the
little daugher Of Mrs. Miller, which was
read 10 her in her CELL caused her to
make full confession, which was fol.
lowed by one from Smith. These con.
fessions. along with the testimony Of
the little girl, caused their conviction.
and on June II, 1880, they were sen.
fenced to death, the execution of which
was carried into effect 10 day. Thus
ends the record OF one OF the foulest
crimes ever committed in this Common.
wealth.