The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-11
G0RDY HANGED.
Delaware's Woman Slayer Dies
Protesting His Innocence
to the Last.

GEORGETOWN, Del, June II, 1891
James M. Gordy was hanged in the Sus-
sex County Jail at 1926 o'clock this
morning for the murder of his wife.
Gordy displayed very little nervousness
and protested his innocence to the last
1t had been rumored last night that a
party of men We're coming to George
town this morning to mob the murderer
but Sheriff Johnson took extra precau-
ton and between I and 5 o'clock this
morning he swore in forty deputies and
thirty jurymen, the latter to witness the
execution. At the same time George
Hatfield, of Georgetown, who erected the
scaffold put on the finishing touches and
tested it.
Gordy retired about ten o'clock last
night and although he was awake several
times during the night, he rested COM
paratively well. Nothing of incident oc-
CURED during the night. Gordy arose
from his bed about five clock this morn
ing, apparently much refreshed from his
nights rest. A tempting breakfast of
beefsteak. ham and eggs, oatmeal and
coffee was sent over to the jail by order
of the Sheriff, from the Eagle Hotel, but
Gordy refused to touch it, saying that he
did not want any breakfast.
EARLY in the morning people from the
country and nearby towns began to ar
rive in carriages and by other convey
ances. and by ten O'Clock the town was
literally crowded with strangers. There
was no disorder, however, and the crowd
appeared to be more curious than any
thing else. They appeared to be willing
that the law should take it's course.
The most touching scene this morning
was the visit from Gordys brothers. ohm
and Benton. They arrived at the Jail
at $50 with a new suit for the prisoner.
| AS they entered the cell they wept bitter
ly and the prisoner was somewhat moved.
The meeting was touching in the ex-
treme and the deep grief of the brothers
was manifest from the outside. They
remained about 20 minutes and while in
the cell the prisoner with loud voice
sang the hymn, ''There'l be no more
parting there At $50 Gordy's spiritual
advisers, the Revs. S. J. Sewell F. S..
Cain and v. S. Collins, arrived at the
| jail. They talked, prayed and sang with
| the prisoner while he was not otherwise
engoged. Whenever Gordy was left alone
| for few minutes. he spent the time
| singing familiar hymns
| After the departure of his brothers he
donned his new black suit and spent sew
eral minutes arranging his hair. He
| seemed less concerned about his approach
ing doom than any one else connected
with the hanging. To every one who in
| quired Gordy said he was perfectly will
| ing and ready to meet his God.
| After the jury had been sworn in and
stationed in the yard Gordy's brothers
| were again admitted to the cell. The
prisoner broke down, but soon became
| calm and bade them a second good bye
4 without a tremor in his voice.
The last few minutes before the march
| to the scaffold were spent by Gordy with
ministers who sang and prayed fer
| vently.
1910 o'clock. Sheriff Johnson led the way
| followed by the Revs. Sewell and Col
| Inns, after which canae Gordy, with ex-
Sheriffs Sharp and Purnell at his side
Gordy was handcuffed, but walked with a
| firm step up the scaffold steps.
was offered By Rev. j. II. seven, Gordy
standing with his head bowed in prayer
AT the conclusion of the prayer the doom
ed man was asked If he had anything to
say. He said he had and then read a
| held before him by one of the ex-Sheriffs
Gordy read in disconnected manner and
at times It was difficult to gather his
meaning. The statement was protesta-
plain away details Of the evidence against
him.
After making his statement Gordy
bowed to the spectators assembled In the
| Jail yard and said: Farewell, gentlemen,
| to you all.'' He then turned to those on
the scaffold and bade each farewell.
| Again addressing the spectators, he said:
| Gentlemen when you have the love of
| God you need not fear death I have
| asked Him for the last five or six days
| to take care of me and l thank God he
| will do it. thank God that l can stand
before you and say farewell, farewell"
| The sign was given by Sheriff johnson
and Deputy George. W. Hatfield sprung
the trap at exactly 1925 o'clock.
Everything worked smoothly.
The body fell like log. It remained
| hanging about nine minutes, at the ex-
| piraItion of which time DrDs. Robinson
1 and Messick pronounced life extinct and
| 1t YVES cut down.
The physicians stated that the neck
had not been broken and that death was
! caused by strangulation.
i After the jurymen had certified to
Gordy's death, the remains were turned
over to Undertaken Marvel's assistants,
| who put it in coffin. The remains were
| taken to Whitestead, the Gordy home
stead, for burial this afternoon.
AS far as is known none of GordyAs re-
| latives saw him hanged. Just beforeSthe
| drop fell Gordy sang, There are angels
| lowering round" with as much force as
if he were attending camp meeting. 1t
/ Is estimated that about 5000 persons were
in the vicinity during; the execution.