The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-04-11
7HE LOVE OF A SISTER
Fails to Save the Life Of a
Brother Condemned
FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE
Miss swIrt's Remarkable Struggle
with tho Connecticut Legislature.
Tho Governor Vet0os Her
Resolution-FInal Vote,

HARTFORD, CoSS, April lO,-After
one Of the most bitter legislative struG-
giles in the history Of the State, 1t was
decided to-day that John H, Swift must
hang April IS for the murder Of his wife,
In 1884, Swift married Katie Mccain,
the former being 10 years Of age, and
the latter 20, They frequently met but
never lived together and why they ever
married was mystery, July |, 1887,
as Katie was returning from her work
with two female companions, she was
shot dead by her husband, after relus.
ing TO live with him, Swift pleaded in.
sanity, caused by drink, but he was con-
demned to death, and the higher court
upheld the decision,
This was the state OF the case when
the General Assembly convened in jan
uary. Soon after tho opening Of the
session a good looking young woman,
Mary Swift, the sister Of the condemned
man, appeared in the lobby. She Is a
teacher in Brown school aud Is highly
regarded.
A SISTERS WORK.
Never did woman work harder 10 save
allowed one than Miss Swift labored to
rescue her brother from the gallowS,
She was always ladylike and made
good impression. A petition TO commute
swift's sentence was introduced and
then the sister began her work in earn
est, During two months, she had inter-
views with nearly all of the 275 mem.
bers Of the Assembly, leaving her school
In the care OF another, to work for her
brother. After a long debate the pe-
tition was referred to the Judiciary
Committee and 1t reported almost unan-
imously in favor Of Communication. This
was Miss Swift's first victory. Then
came the action in the Senate which
sustained the report by a vote OF II 10 0.
The House Concurred by q vote OF ll3 to
100 and everybody believed tho sister
had saved the neck OF her murderous
brother. The signature OF Governor
BulklUy was all that was needed, or the
resolution would become a law within
three days without being signed by the
Governor. The House passed the reso.
luton week ago Thursday. 1t laid on
the table during Friday, when the Leg.
islature adjourned until Tuesday and |
that day 1t was sent TO the Governor.
Friday last, the day Swift was sentenced
To swing, the Governor reprieved the |
condemned man until the 18th and ve.
toed the resolution.
TIE LAST RESORT.
Tho Senate committee passed a rcsolu-
ton over theveto by practically the same
vote as before, and but one more vote
was necessary TO make Miss swiit's efforts
complete success. Another vote was
taken yesterday afternoon and dashed
all the hopes Of the past weeks labor.
Between last Friday, when the Senate
voted, and yesterday Miss Swift was ac-
lively at work and wrote letters to all
members to vote for her brother. The
floor and gallery Of the House Yesterday
afternoon were packed to sutfocation,
many ladies' being among the audience,
as every one knew the deciding vote was
to be taken. For three hours the resolu.
ton was debated, in which many bitter
utterances were made. The Governor
was called q coward for yetoing the bill,
and Mr.. Hill, Of Stamford, the orator Of
the House, said II Swift was hanged his
blood would be upon the members who
voted TO sustain the Governor. Mr..
Darand, OF Milford, said he had voted TO
commute the sentence because OF
promise made 10 another member, but
now that he had fulfilled his promise he
would not again vote to save Swift.
During the vote there was the utmost
suspense.
swIFTs FATE IS SEALED.