The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-16
Gordon and the Murder of
AmaSa Sprague.
A Lucky Place Where They
Have Potatoes TO Burn.
Young W0man's Invention to En-
courage Bicycle Riding.

are asked their opinion on the matter,
will declare without hesitation that Jonn
Gordon, the last man hanged in Rhode
Island, was innocent of the murder OF
Amasa Sprague, for which he was execut-
ed. Probably not one out of every hun
dred OF those thus willing to give an
opinion knows anything about the cir
cumstances which surrounded the crime
or have ever read the most meager re-
ports of the trial. What information
they do possess about IL came TO them
second or third hand, and generally con-
sists Of nothing more definite than the
old tradition that Gordon was an inno-
cent victim sacrificed TO satisfy the ven-
geance of the powerful family of the
murdered man. This tradition OF ipno-
cence is given something OF the color and
substantially of truth by the fact that
after Gordon's execution no other MUIR
derer has ever been called upon TO suffer
the death penalty. There is, however, a
very widespread misapprehension on this
point, for the adjustment OF capital
punishment aid not, as Is generally sup.
posed, follow Immediately the hanging OF
Gordon. Gordon. whether guilty or IN,
nocent, vas executed Feb. IA, 1S45, and
1t was not until 1852, some seven years
later, that the General Assembly abolish
ed the death penalty. Doubtless the feel
ing among a considerable class OF clti-
ZenS mat III innocent man nau Deen sht-
riticed exerted some influence In bringing
sLout this result, but 1t must also be re-
membered that for years before that exc
cut ion a powerful agitation had been go-
ing on for the purpose OF Kidding Rhode
Island of what its opponents called
harbarous and inhuman mode OF punish
ment. 1t was the growth of this senti-
ment, much mora than any belief in Cor
don's innocence, that ultimately induced
the Legislature TO sop the hanging OF
murderers.
Amasa Sprague was shot and brutally
beaten TO death on Sunday afternoon, the
last day Of the year 1S43, while on his
way from his residence to his stock farm.
1t was quickly ascertained that the crime
was one OF vengeance and not for the pur-
poses of plunder, for neither the money
ncr valuabes on the victims person were
touched. Then the eye OF suspicion was
directed toward Nicholas Gordon. Tbs
man had accumulated some money by
maintaining a rum shop near the Gram
ston Print Works, and with part Of his
savings he brought to this country his
mother, his brothers William and John,
and sister who,s alter their arrival, made
their home with him at Cranston. Amasa
sprague believed. or at least claimed he
did, that Gordon's place had decidedly
demoralizing influence on his workmen
and he appeared before the Town Council
In 1S43 and strenuously opposed the
granting OF a license TO Gordon. This,
opposition on the part of Sprague Is re-
ported to have greatly incensed Nicholas
Gordon, who was OF choleric disposi-
tion and he made dire threats before his
customers against Sprague, which,
though at the time regarded as empty
vaporings, were later introduced at the
trial with terrible effect. 1t was the
knowledge that such threats had been
made, and that motive for revenge ex-
listed. that fret directed suspicion toward
Nicholas Gordon.
But the authorities, labor es they
would, could not connect Nicholas di-
rectly with the crime. He had an alibi
10 strong that il could not be shattered
SO he was indicted as accessory before the
fact, while William and John Gordon
were indicted for murder. The main facts
established at the trial were that better
feelings were held by Nicholas Gordon
toward Amasa Sprague, that the latter
was killed with gun belonging to Mich
olas Gordon, but that the latter was not
himself near the scene when the tragedy
occurred. The theory and contention of
the State was that Nicholas Gordon had
planned the assassination but had left the
execution OF II to his brot hers, William
and John. TO whom be gave his gun, and
q coat which was found in the bushes
near the scene of the murder, aud which
was said to have been sometimes worn
by John Gordon. One of the strongest
pieces of evidence connecting the Cor
dons with the murder was that showing
that footprints In the snow lead from the
place where the crime was committed to
the back door OF Nicholas house. Dur
ing the trial William Gordon established
an alibi OF such strength that the court
directed his acquittal, but John Gordon
was found guilty and was sentenced to be
hanged. After his execution a story was
circulated to the effect that he had con-
fessed that he killed Sprague, but this
was without foundation. Sheriff Potter
who had charge Of the prisoner. and who
executed the death penalty, afterward de-
clared that Gordon never denied that he
was party to the killing but that he did
say he had not shed any of Amasa
Sprague's blood. The last statement has
led many to believe that the actual kill
ing was done by an associate of the Cor
dons who was alluded to In the indict-
ment as person unknown ana who dis
appeared Immediately after the tragedy,
while John Gordon was present and as
sisted in the commission of the crime.
When potatoes get down to 90 cents or
a dollar barrel In Providence the head
Of the house congratulates himself on the
money he will save on them. But we are
not in 1T at all with the people up In New
York State in the way OF cheap potatoes
In Penn Yam farmer Is using his sur
plus crop OF tubers for fuel. He begins
by having a good bed of Goals in the fire.
box of his stove, and then fills the feeder
with potatoes, which, as they descend
toto the nrebox, becomc kiln dried and,
be claims, give plenty of heat Moreover,
this kind of fuel has the special merit OF
economy. A ton OF coal costs %, willis
ton OF potatoes is worth at the pregailing
rate but S2. In Canandaigus recently the
highest bid that could be obtained for
first class potatoes was 2io cents o bushel,
while In many instances no bids at all
were offered, and the farmers bad some
difficulty in finding persons to take away
the pIenteous potatoes as q gift.
There is one woman in this big country
OF ours who believes that more OF her
sisters would ride the bicycle were II not
for their innate modesty, and she has
endeavored TO help them out through the
medium OF device on which she has Just
secured a patent. Her name Is Jennie
Reed and her invention consists OF cen.
opy for bicycles which will protect the