Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-03-19
The Tragic End


after consultation with the States
Attorney concluded that it was
useless TO proloag the tire, and at 30
O'Clock the murderer was hanged, and at nine
O'Clock his remains were being driven hur-
riedly to st Thomas cemetery, where they
were buried by undertaken G. E. Wade.
The physician in attendance at ,he execution
was Dr. 7. S. Owen, who gave certificate
that the man died from strangulation
Fathers John E. Wade, Of Newport Catholic
Church, and J. J Broderick Of ST. Thomas
Church, were the spiritual advisers Of the
murderer and they assembled the scatiold aud
remained with him until the end
Matthews slept scarcely any during the
night previous to his execution, although he
undrcssed and went to bed lie spent several
hours in writing letters, which, it is said,
were given out to be mailed, one ofthe letters
he wrote, as reported on the morning of
the execution, was to Mrs. Taylor, nee Mrs.
Wood, formerly of this county. but now
resident o. Washington city with whom
Matthews lived in childhoodi but 1otwith-
standing vigilan. search was made after
the execution no trace Of the letter could be
of bsd and carefully dressed himself Fathers
Broderick and Wade called shortly after and
administered the last rites of the church
Matthews was nervous but his stsong will
kept him up He refused to eat anything
sa, ing be was not hungry although be had
only drunk cup of strong coffee the night
before. About G clock Matthews expressed
desire to see States Attorney Posey, and
that gentleman was sert for. When Mr..
Posey entered the cell Matthews extended his
hand and as the two shook hands he said.
''Mr. Posey, those stories about my being
set against you are all untrue, have nothing
against you, it was my fault and don't
blame you for doing your duty did not
say that ! wished | hUd YOU in front of gat-
ling gun, did say that would like to have
4 gatling gun between ne and the people Of
Charles County but what / said was all ip
a joke" Mr. Posey told Matthews be had
performed his duty not from a spirit of re
venge but beeauseit WAS his duty, aud added
81 am sorry that you are brought to this
terrible condition and sincerely hope you
will lie forgiven for your sin" Matthews
then said 81 am prepared to die and it Gov
Lowndes were TO pardon me nov | would
consider him my worst enemy" The two
feelngly shook hands aud Iarted. A guard Of
twenty-five sworn deputies armed with mus
kets under the command of Mr.. P. Reed Wills
then surrounded the Jail to prevent any dis
order that might possibly occur, and, inside,
the preparations for the hanging were com.
menced A white robe was placed on the
| condemned man and deputy Barber tied his
hands behind him. When asked by the
deputy if the rope hurt his wrists, Matthews
slid, No" and this was the last word
uttered by him except the responses and
pray ers going to and on the scaffold When
the binding was completed Sheriff Wade
took his place at the cell window where he
was to stand and spring the trap and the walk
to the scnifold commenced. Deputy sheriff
Barber, Medley, Murphy and Maloney headed
the procession and With uncove'ed heads
marched out the Jail door followed by
Matthews and Fathers Broderick aud Wade
who walked on each side Of him reading the
prayers of the church. When inside the Jail
enclosure and for the first time in sight OF the
scaHolI Matthews cast quick glance up the
structure and then with dosncast eyes walk
ed firmly, but with almost deathly pallor of
countenance 70 the steps Of the scaifold. His
gown interfered with his upward progress
and he was assisted by Father Broderick aud
other lifting his gown so that he could step
freely. He vas placed on the trap, his legs
quickly tied by deputies, Maloney and Murphy
and again he gave one quick last glance to
the left which was to be his last on earth as
deputy Medley threw the black Cap over bis
face which was pulled firmly doEn by deputy
Barber whilst deputy Medley adjusted the
rope around his neck. When this was eomplet-
ed Medley gave the signal to Barber, who had
gone partly down the steps, and he signalied
Padgett, on the ground who in turn gave the
signal to Sheriff Wade inside the iail and
in lust two minutes from the time the pro-
cession entered the Jail yard the doomed man
was hurled iuto eternity As the trap fell
sort of stiHed cry went up but not it seemed
from Matthews. The body shot down drop
of eight and half feet, there was a heavy
clang of the trap aud the body daneled,
struggled, and slowly swung at the end of
the rope In a few minutes there was slight
struggle a convulsive shudGer and then ell
was over. Eight minutes afterwards DR.. Owen
pronounced the man dead and in seventeen
minutes after the drop fell bis body vas low
cred into the coffin After he role was taken
off and coat was nut on. Dr.. Owen was
.,.od - s,d ,ha, tho uoat,
SUI p''s'u ~ nAU '1"' -. ,''" ne'A was NV
broken Fathers broderlck and wade atteud-
ed the burial of Matthews at st Thomas