The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-21

BosToN, Mass, Jan. 20.--James i. Now
lin was hanged at Cambridge Jail at G23
o'clock this morning for the murder Of
George A. Goldman, his employer, Janu-
AIRY 4, 1887. The details Of the murder
for which young Nowlin was executed
mark II MS one OF the most horrible in the
history Of New England crime. Early on
the morning Of January a farmer Of Lin
coin, who was riding toward Lexington,
saw what looked like big snow bank
lying two rods beyond the wall by the
roadside. Upon investigating what was
his horror TO find that the object was
mans head, completely severed from the
body, the trunk missing. The features
were contracted, showing that the victim
had suffered untold agony. Just over the
left car and back OF il were two or three
deep gashes that had been made with n
sharp knife. Turning away he found, four
or five feet to the right, a bare arm lying in
the snow. Jumping into his pung lac drove
rapidly W Lexington, where he notified
the selectmen. A searching party was
quickly made up and the trunk of the body
was found hidden In gully beside the
| road nearly mile from the spot where the
head was found. A rubber blanket lay on
some bushes close by. The medical exam
liner took charge Of the body, and the State
| police at once began the search for the
murderer. They soon usceriaincd that
George A. Goldman, u Somerville mlkman,
about thirty years Of age, aud unmarried,
had been missing since Tuesday morning,
and on "Wednesday night the victim had
been recognized as Goldman. James Ed
ward Nowlln, a lad OF seventeen years, who
was employed by Goldman, upon being
questioned by the officers, told 10 many
conflicting stories regarding COdman's dis
| appearance, that he was arrested upon sus-
| picion Of having committed the crime, and
| upon his statements two other young men
were also taken into custody. Being sus-
| piciOus that the murder had been committed
| IN Codman's own stable ON Sangcant ave-
nue., Somcville, the officers made n
thorough search Of the premises, which
revealed horrible evidence Of the bloody
crime. The floor WIS bcsmcnrcd with
blood, n blood stained ax was found, aud
| traces Of blood were found ON Codman's
milk pung. II was also asccrtninod by the
officers that ON Tuesday afternoon Nowlin
had called at Codmans boarding house,
and upon stating that lac had been sent by
Goldman, obtained the laitcrs desk and
money. Nowlin was confronted with the
evidence accumulated against him, and
the boy began To weaken, and finally made
a full confession, admitting that he alone
had committed the crime, and that robbery
was the motive. According 10 Nowln's
confession, lie went to the stable at 2
o'clock Tuesday morning armed with q
carving knife and laid In wait for Cod
man. Aided by the dim light ~ lantern
which Goldman carried, the murderer
struck his victim heavy blow in the
neck. killing him almost instantly. Now.
lin then went ON his regular rounds de.
liycrng milk. and upon his return at n
o'clock lac cut the body up No ~ to bc able
j Ia liit II, and then, putting the parts into
an old milk wagon, lac drove about fifteen
miles and thrw the pieces out where they
were found.
The death sentence was executed by
Sheriff Gushing and his deputies without
an occurrence to mar the proceedings, and
Nowlin's death, nj least as far ns his con-
sciousncss was concerned. was instanta-
ncous. The drop fell at 0.23 o'clock, and
half AN hour atcrwarl the body was low
cred aud delivered 10 the relatives OF the
deceased. Nowlin's mother stayed with
him In his ccll-intil clock last evening
aud then babe him goodbye for the last
time. The final meeting was not pain
iul one 90 witness M described by nm oili-
Ger on watch, for although both mother
aud son were deeply moved they bore up
wonderfully. and the boy prayed earnestly
With his mother and urged her TO be- recon
cilcd. The boy was calm until the last,
aud spent most OF the night In chatting
With his keepers.
AZ . o'clock this morning sheriff Cush-
ing entered the cell and read the death
warrant. Nowln looked calm during the
reading, and seemed less moved than the
sheriff himself Handouts were then
placed ON the prisoners wrists and the
party stepped from the cell door 10 tho
platform Of the scaifnld. Nowln walked
with n firm step 10 his position ON the
center 81 tho drop lie vas not pale or
nervous. Straps were then adjusted
around his leg and arms Chaplain Hart
lett then offered prayer. IA MIR. Bartlett
finished sheriff Cushing stepped forward
and asked Nowlin " he had anything 10
gay before he died. Nowln rcpiicd
Nothing, only that I am about square
aud ready 10 die. feel tlfat God has for.
given me, and | feel thankful 10 YOU for
what YOU have done" The moose was
then slipped over his head the black cap
adjusted, the tmp sprung and he met tho