Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-20


MAT's LANDING. " J.. June 2O.-Andrew
Grimes, convicted of the murder OF Mate John
Martin, paid the penalty of the crime at this
place at 1907 O'Clock this afternoon.
STORY OF THE CRIME.
The crime for which Andrew Grimes was
hanged was the brutal murder of John Martin.
the mate of the schooner Annie Carl. hailing
from Fair Haven. Conn, while that vessel Law
at anchor in Absecon inlet, or last Christmas
day.
Grimes, homely and brutish-looking North
Carolina negro. thlrty-five wears old. had ship
ped on the Annie Carl at Norfolk some
two months previous, but had given up his
position at Fair Haven and induced Capt Gil
bert f. Newton to take HIM back to Norfolk as
a passenger.
The schooner was anchored Off Run Point.
on the inlet, and the crew went ashore. About
3 o'clock they returned. aud Grimes who had
been drinking, went below and Law down. Near
. o'clock supper announced and Mate
Martin went down and aroused Grimes.
telling INN 10 get up for supper. Grimes
cursed the mate, and drawing a 5-inch
sheath-kn.fe from his belt chased him on
deck. The mate finally reached his state
room and locked the door. Grimes, who was
now IN furious rage. attacked the door with
his knife, broke 1t open and stabbed the mate
several times. 4 terrible struggle took place.
Martin managed to reach the deck but Grimes
continued 10 hack at him with his knife, while
the steward of the schooner and colored sea-
man jumped into a small boat. terror stricken,
and started ashore for assistance. Finally the
mate sank exhausted from his wounds. and
Grimes picked up his body and threw II over
board. 1t was recovered a short distance
from the schooner. The police authorities OF
Atlantic City, after desperate struggle. took
Grimes of the schooner. Mate John Martin.
Grimes victim, lived at Fair Hasen. Conn.
and supported his widowed mother " was
J forty-eight years old. thorough seaman. and
was popular with his men.
The scaffold used for the execution of Robert
Elder on January was again brought into
requlsitlon to-day for the execution of Grimes
Grimes was convicted and sentenced at the
! April term OF court. Since his incarceration,
he has preserved outwardly perfectly calm
demeanor. and to all appearances
WAS INDIFFERENT As To HIS FATE.
He claimed TO have a wife and child living in
North Carolina, but no word has been received
from them. Last night he was extremely ner-
vous and did not close his ewes in sleep. His
death-watch, Deputy Sheriff Moore and Officer
Conoyer. kept strict vigil over him. During
the reading of the death-warrant to-day Grimes
| perceptibly weakened The usual scene oc-
CURED IN detail attending hanging in this
state. Under the New Jersey statute, none
were allowed TO witness the execution ex-
cept the jury drawn bv Judge Reed
the sheriffs special deputies and the
/ press representatives provided by law The
condemned man walked firmly 70 the scaffold,
preceded by the sheriff and his spiritual
adviser. Rev. Elijah Hammett. The rope and
cap were quickly ad justed by Deputy Anderson,
and the rope cut by Sheriff Johnston at pre
cisely l2O7. Death instantaneous. The
body. after hanging twenty-five minutes. was
cut down and delivered 90 the care of the
county physicians. The body will be buried
IN the potter's ield at the county almshouse.