The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-11
A SISTERS DEVOTION.
SHE WORKS INDEFATIGABLY TO
SAVE HER BROTHERS. NECK.
She Succeeds 80 Well at First That
Hope Is Given, but the Governor Re-
fuses to Support Her and Her Case Is
Lost,

HARTFORD, Conn, April i0,-After one OF
the most bitter Legislative struggles in the
history Of the State, It was decided today
that John H. Swift must hang April Is for
the murder OF his wife.
In 1884 Swift married Katie Mccain, the
former being nineteen years OF age and the
latter twenty. They frequently met but
never lived together, and why they wero
married was a mystery. July !, 1887, rs
Katie was returning from her work with two
female companions, she was shot dead by
her husband, after refusing to live with him.
Swift pleaded inaanity, caused by drink, but
he was condemned 70 dca.h, and the higher
court upheld the decision. This was the state
OF the case when the General Assembly con-
ycned in January. Soon after the opening
Of the session, good looking young woman,
Mary A. Swift, the sister OF the condemned
man. appeared In the lobby. She Is n
teacher in Browns School and IL highly re-.
spected. Never did woman work harder TO
rave loved ono than Miss Swift labored 10
rescue her brother from the gallows, She
was always ladylike and made good I'm
preston. A petition 20 commute Swifrs
sentence was introduced, aud then tho
sister began her work In earnest. During
two months she had interviews with nearly
oil Of the 2.5 members of the Assembly,
leaving her school In care OF another 10 work
| for her brother. After n long debate the
petition was referred 10 the judiciary Com
mittee, aud II reported almost unanimously
IN favor OF Communication. This was Miss
Swifts first victory. Then came the action
In the Senate, which sustained the report by
vote Of II tot The House concurred by
vote OF li3 TO lO0 and everybody believed
the sister had saved the neck Of her mardcr.
ous brother. The signature Of Gov. Bukcley
was all that was needed, or the resolution
would become law In thrco DAYS without
being signed by the Governor. Tho House
passed the resolution aweek ngo ThuJsdhy
II laid on the table during Friday. when tho
| legislature adjourned until Tuesday, and
that day IL was sent 10 the Governor. Friday
the last day, swift was sentenced TO
swing the Governor rcpricyed the con-
dcmncd man until tho 18th aud vetoed tho
resolution. The Senate committee passed
| resolution over the veto by practically the
same vote ms before and but one more vote
was necessary 10 make Miss Swift's efforts n
complete success. Another vote was taken
yesterday afternoon and dashed oil the hopes
OF the past weeks Of labor Between last
Friday, when the Senate voted and yester.
DAY Miss swift was actively at work aud
wrote letters 10 all members 10 vote for her
brother. The floor and gallery OF the House
yesterday afternoon were packed 10 sulTocat.
Ing many ladies being among the audience
as every one know the deciding vote was TO
bo taken. For three hours the resolution
was debated, IN which many bitter utter
nnccs were made. The Governor was called
a coward for yetoing the bill and Mr.. Hin,
of Stamford, the orator Of the House. said II
Swift was hanged his blood would be upon
the members who voted 10 sustain the dow
crnor Mr.. Durund, of Milford, said lac had
voted 90 commute the sentence because OF a
promise made 10 another member. but now
that hc had fulfilled his promise Lo would
not again vote 10 save Swift
During the vote there was The utmost sus.
ponsc. Many spectators kept tally, and the
1yenncss Of the vote was remarkable until
folland and Middlcsox Counties were
reached. when Swiits fate was decided by
majority OF twcniy-iour votes. There fell
dad quictncss ON the house.
II ~ possible that cuy,Pel Tor Swift may
rnisc the technical question OF the resolution
becoming effective on account OF the oxpira-
ton Of the three DAYS from the timo ii was
received by the Governor aud tho day OF tho
veto. 10 was sent 10 Gov Bulkclcy at 1880
o'clock Tuesday afternoon and his veto
reached the Senate at II o'clock Friday
swifrs sister Il at homo hcar.broken, aud
his mother does nothing but weep.