The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-05-16
A Bungling Job Was the
Killing of Christie War
den's Murderer.
FEET TOUCHED THE FLOOR
And the Man Strangled Slowly to
to Death-His Cool De-
meanor.

expiated the cowardly murder OF Chflstle
Warden at Hanover, this State, on July
II, 1891.
The execution was bungling job.
Almy's feet touched the floor when he
went through the drop. and he was
strangled to death.
Almy retired early last evening. He
said nothing to the death watch. aside
from bidding them good night In his
usually pleasant manner. The watchers
were unusually vlgilant, but nothing oc-
Cured to indicate that the condemned
man was not resting as we'll as he had
since they began their duties.
At the last moment Warden Goliath
concluded, as matter of precaution, to
keep Almy in his cell over night. This
Ishe did ip order to preclude the possibili-
ties of his escape, although Amy never,
since his incarceration, had given any
lntimation That he contemplated making
break for liberty. Invariably, hereto
| fore, in this prison, condemned murder
ers have passed their last night on earth
IN the matron's room En0er strong
guard.
HIS LAST MORNING.
At mine O'Clock this morning Almy
arose. and after cheerily greeting the
| watch. dressed himself. He asked Tor
and was given cigar, which he lighted
and sno ked, seeming to enjoy 1t greatly.
Then he read for a while. At fifteen min
utes to seven the warden appeared at ms
cell, opened it and said, "Come this
way"
Almy obeyed, and under escort OF the
| Deputy Warden and death watch, walked
| to the ma5ron's room, which is IN the
south wing, a few feet from the Warden's
Office He walked steadily and endeavor-
ed to appear to be the most unconcerned
man in the party, but 1t was Impossible
for him to conceal the terrible mental
strain by which he was affected. Tyss
The steward asked Almy what he
wanted for his breakfast. He took
steak, eggs, rolls and coffee. Almy ate
heartily and with evident relish. SnertH
Hurlbut and Deputies Arthur 4. DAVIS OF
Woodsville, Charles 2. Coburn or Little
ton, w. S. Leonard of Rumney and w.
B. Richardson of Canaan, who were to as
sist him, had gone to the prison early to
erect the galIows and complete the final
arrangements for the execution.
Messrs. Norris, Ray, Blunt and Moul-
ton of the Executive Council took car
riare at eight O'Clock aud drove to the
prison for tine purpose of Determining, SO
| far as their duty required, that every
thing was in readiness for the hanging.
| They saw Almy, who, as he is called
each by name, shook h ads with them
very cordially. He said he was feelin
as well as a man could under the cir
cumstances. No a.lusion was made to
the hanging
NO RELIGIOUS FEELING.
From eignth TO ten O'Clock Chaplain
Wiikens aud the death watch were
Almy's only visitors in the Matron's
room at the prison. Almy said put little
and paid no attention to the Chaplain's
final instructions to turn his thoughts TO
Eternal things, in fact he declined
absolutely to hear anything about
religion. He looked about the room and
admired the flowers that were there and
expressed great pleasure a5 again being
able to see the beautiful landscape slop-
ing away to the east. Warden Goliath
went to see him at half past nine. he
again greeted the official kindly.
BIT OF STAGE EFFECT.
SIS there anything l can do for you,
Frank" asked Mr.. Goliath.
"Tnere is but one thing" said he.
''What is thatH
please allow re to have the ring
wore when came here"
The Warden, after briefly considering
the reques t, ssld:-"Yes, Frank, you may
have it,"
..Thank, you, thank you, Warden;
shall place it on the finger where Christie
placed it loug ago."
The ring is heavy. plain gold one. and
he placed it upon the second finger OF his
left hand. Soon after, the suit of black
clothes. which Sheriff Hulburt purchased,
at the expense OF Grafton County
was brought in, and when Almy
had taken a bath he put them on. They
fitted him nicely. He knew that he was
to be delivered to the Sheriff about ten
O'CLOCK, and, as the hour grew near. ne
became perceptibly nervous, getting up
aud pacing the room.
THE SHERIFF TAKES CHARGE.
Spectators were admitted at fifteen
minutes of ten O'Clock and the doors
closed when they had been assigned to
their places. Almy was in charge OF the
prison officials until few minutes after
ten O'Clock, when the Warden surreu-
dered him TO Sheriff Hurlbut. A large
number OF citizens came from Hanover
on the early morning train to witness Ghe
hanging, among them being Bert War
den, brother OF the murdered girl, and Y.
&. Hewitt, the student who shot Almy IN
the Warden barn before he was captured.
CURIOSITY ANNoYs HIM.
The matron's room is directly In front
of the main entrance and as the specta-
tors began to gather, they. nat
room where they know the condemned
man was located. This exhibition of
their curiosity seemed to annoy Amy
greatly. and, after expressing his dis
pleasure at IL several times, ne asked
and obtained permission OF the
guards To draw the curtains. He
breathed easter when he knew that he
was temporarily shielded from outside
intrusion. This exhibition of Curl
osity or some other unaccountable
reason caused him to become
restless, impatient and In measure
cross. so much SO that the officers feared
he might resist them at the last moment
and compel them to carry him to the
scaffold by force. This fear was ground
less, however.
NEARING THE END.
At 10 o'clock sharp the Sheriff and Dep
uty Sheriffs Davis, Coburn aud Leonard,
under escort of the Warden, entered the
matron's room and the Warden with the
death watch as witnesses formally de-
livered Almy TO the Sheriff. The latter
informed Almy that he might say any
thing be wished before going to the scat
fold, but would not be allowed to speak
on the scaffold.
Almy said he had nothing to say.
Meanwhile the witnesses assembled in
the guard room in full view OF the gollows.
Then the door leading to the North
wing swung open and the witness filed
In over the landing, the scaffold being on
their immediate right. and took positions
IN the corridors above and below
the gallowS and on the Hoor.
Upwards of $50 persons were present.
Deputy Sheriff Richardson stood on the
scaffold to see that 1t was kept free from
Intrusion.