The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-20
GERTRUDE DUWNEYs MURDERER.
A Knox County JURY Says Sylvester Grub
Must Suffer the Extreme Penalty.

Special TO the Indianapolis journal.
VINcENsEs, Ind, Oct. 19.-The trial of Syl-
vesser Grubb for the murder of Miss Gertrude
Downey was begun in the Knox Circuit Court
Oct. IL. The defense was a plea of insanity,
and a strong pull was made to save his neck
from the rope. The case was a romance-trae-
edy in real life. aud excited great interest in
this community. the courtroom being crowded
day after day to hear the shocking details of tho
story.
Grub is . young man. twenty-four years OF
age, and two years ago met Miss Gertie Down
ey. 1t was a case of love at first sight Both
these young people lived In Gibson county. Let
ters passed between them, and then Grubo pro-
posed marriage. The young lady did not wish
to marry him, and refused longer to see him.
Then he wrote her a letter, vowing
revenge, if she cast him of forever. He
proposed Co GO away for a year, and
see how that would do. He told her he would
disgrace her forever il she cast him off. This
letter was introduced in the trial. A day or
two before the tragedy he called at her home at
FRANCISCO, eight miles east of Princeton, and
when the young lady refused to see him he sat
for three hours on a pile of lumber near the
house, hoping still to have the privilege of see
ing her, but all in vain. On the morning OF the
fatal 18th of September he went 80 the Prince
ton fair. hoping to see her there. On the way
he remarked to q friend that she was there with
another young man, and be waited to see her
but once more. They met on the fair ground.
and he asked her TO walk with him. Unwill-
inglv shs went with him, telling her lady friend
20 remain at that spot, as she would be back in
a few minutes. As they went toward an uufre-
quented part of the ground. il was observed that
they were onarreling. Suddenly, and without
notice. he showed his revolver in her face and
fired. tbs ball striking Just below the right eye,
and the powder burning her face. She turned and
ran away screaming, the blood ssturatiug her
white dress. lie fired two other shots at her,
one hitting her in the arm, the other missing its
marx. Then he pointed tie pistol at his own
head, and snapped il twice, but il failed TO 60
off. When parties rushed in to Interfere, he
fourished his revolver around and told them to
stand back. After a moment, however, he sur
rend cred TO the officers, and was at once lodged
in Jail.
cerine six days, and the indignation of Miss
Downsy's friends was so great that an attempt
was made TO lynch the murderer. His neck was
saved BY %spiriting him away TO Evansville.
Then LIE was taken 10 Jeffersonvills for safe
keeping. and was brought here for trial.
The jury took the case last evening. On the
first ballot the jury decided that Grub was
guilty of murder in the first degree. The sec
ond ballot was 10 decide whether it should be
the death penalty or imprisonment for life, and
nine were for iuh;cting the extreme penalty of
the law. The Insanity dodge was not considered
IN the jury-room at all. After celebrating
eight hours a verdict OF death was reached.
The prisoner WAS brought into court this
morning and the sentence read TO him. He
seemed to take it as n matter of course. and
there was scarcely q perceptiole blanch on his
cheek. Many encomiums have been passed up
on the jury for its moral courage in aft xiug the
death penalty as a mates of justice to the slain
girl.