The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-27
4 cOHoRED MURDERER HAYeED.
The Sheriff Overcome and FaInts-Death
instantaneous-Accoun OF tho Crime.

iho Sherih Overcome and FalnfR-Death
lnstantaneOus-Aocount OF the Crime.
CAMDEN, n. j.. August 2G.-At 1895 this
morning James X. Morton was hanged in
the jail building, this city. by Sheriff West.
The murderer made no speech. At 1898
Father Kelly, dressed in the vestments Of
the catholic church, stepped out Of the con-
demnod mans cell. Morton was haudcufed
and ia charge Of e1-Under Sheriff Porter
immediately following them came the death
watch. As they walked the priest chanted a
prayer walking closely beside the condemned
naD. AS MCrton's eyes fell upon the scat
fold bis face showed that be fully appre-
cated his terrible position. He walked
firmly. As the steps leading 70 the scaffold
were reached, the two constables assisted
him to the top.
DEATH TNsTANTkNEoUs.
Sheriff West and Mr. Porter quickly ad-
iusted the straps about bis legs and pin
Toned bis arms. The black cap was then
drawn over the murderers head, the moose
was next placed about HE neck Back from
the trap door stepped the priest and as
slstaut. The sheriff then stepped
down the steps. pulled tho rope and with a
fearful bang the heavy trap fell. MOrtons
body shot downward like a flash. The neck
WAS broken like pipe stem. Death was
instantaneous.
THE SHERIFF PAINTS.
The scene that followed the fall Of the
trap was one that drew tears to the eyes of
those that witnessed st. The sheriff. imme-
diately after he had pulled the rope,
turned to walk down the steps from the
scadod. As be took the frst step his feel
ings Overcame him. his hande covered his
face and, with the exclamation Ny God.
he staggered down the steps. lie would
have fallen 10 the ground bad not the two
constables sprang forward and caught him
and led him to a seat. AS he sat down his
head fell forward and 10 was thought for
moment that he had tainted. lie quickly
recovered, and, bending his face in his
hands, he wept like a baby.
THE CRIME.
The crime for which Morton paid the
penalty was one Of the most brutal in the
history Of the country. 10 was the result Of
deliberate planning of a mind crazed 10y the
desire for money Morton was. until q few
months before his crime q special officer in
the lower section of the city, and was looked
upon as an intelligent cOlOred man. He
lived at 1l42 south sixth street with two
daughters, his wife being dead. Some time
in April Lydia Ann Wyatt, r. seventy three
year-old negro woman who was separated
from her husband, went 20 live at his
house. She owned property, which she
solo in May for $500 la her visits 10 the
lawyers in arranging the sale of the property
she was accompanied by Morton, who took
general interest IN her welfare. 30 great
was this interest impressed upon her that
on the 9Th of May she made a will leaving
Morton one-half of her property and a Cam
den lawyer the other half. The two heirs
were % act as her executors. Three days
after this. Monday, May eth, the murder oc-
cured. Between and 10 o'clock on that day
Morton met the old woman as she WAS COM
ing down stairs from her room. Spatchlug
from her hand "A heavy rosewood cane,
which her age compelled her 70 use IN
walking, he felled her 70 the floor In bis
confession, made Just after his arrest. he
declared that the old woman and he had a
quarrel and that il was IN a moment OF pas
sion that he struck her. At the post-mor-
tenn examination her skull was found TO
have been fractured and no less than
dozen wounds we're found on her body.
old woman was dead Morton took
S325 from bag sho carried
and left the house. Re offered colored un-
dertaker seventy-fye dollars If be would
bury. her at once. This aroused suspicion
ana he was placed under arrest. Ii was
then developed that Morton on April 25th
attempted 10 get q Philadelphia medical
student 10 purchase "a live woman subject
seventy three years Old
Morton's trial took place on June 2d. tie
pleaded not guilty. AZ the first Juror entered
the box he withdrew this and pleaded
guilty After two DAYS advising the court
unanimously found hIm guilty Of murder IN
the FIRST degree. He was sentenced % be
hanged on July 2gth. bus through the inter
vention of Father Kelley he was granted
rat,rieve until TO-DAY.