Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-03-18
PAID THE PENALTY.
George Matthew'S Pays Penalty
OF His Crime on the Scat
fold at la Plata.


George Matthews was hanged at $3.50
o'clock Friday morning in the jail enclos-
ure of La Plata for the murder of James
J. Irwin. DIR. r. s. Owens, the physic-
ian in attendance, said the death was
caused by strangulation.
The doomed mans last night on earth
was not peaceful. His spiritual advisers
Rev. Fathers Wade and Broderick, re-
manned with him in his cell until short
ly after midnight, administering the
consolation of religion and trying to re-
concile him to his fate. II was o'clock
in the morning before he undressed him
self. Then he said Goodnight" to
Padgett, the aeath-watch. The pris-
oner laid down upon his couch, but not
to sleep. He turned and twisted on his
bed until @ o'clock, when he arose and
dressed himself During the uneasy
hours he was in bed he several times
asked the Waterman the condition of
the weather. This was about the only
question he asked during the night.
In the morning, when he had dressed
hiElself, he was asked IL he desired
breakfast. He replied: ~ do not care
for anything to eat, but will eat some of
this fruit" which Mrs. Bailey, the wife
of the Baltimore city Jail warden had
kindly furnished him. Soon after this
Rev. Father Broderick arrived at the
prison and went at once to the con
demned mans cell, where the final pre-.
parations were made for the end.
A visible change in the prisoner
codntenance and demeanor were made
by the anxious night which he had pass.
cd. His pulse beat at the rate of 112 pei
minute. He said nothing of fear, but il
was plainly evident that the nerve which
had served him so well during his con
finehent was about to forsake him.
After receiving the last rites of the
Roman Catholic Church, he requested
Rev. Father Broderick to send for
States Attorney, who was within easy
call and promptly responded to the sum-
mons. As soon as he entered the room
the prisoner, without looking directly
at him, extended his hand and said:
"Mr. Posey, have no unkind feeling
toward you. You did your duty, and I
have no right to blame you for that.
blame myself would not exchange
my place with any on earth, and am
glad that the Governor did not reprieve
me-"
Matthews then halted in his speech.
States Attorney Posey, who was very
much affected, said in reply that he had
only performed his duty in prosecuting
the prisoner and that he had great SYM
patty for him in this trying hour. He
also said that he was glad that Matthews
treasured no emnity toward him.
When this scene was over, Rev Faith
or Broderick notified Sheriff Wade that
they were ready. The deputies proceed
ell to tie the prisoners hands, but be-
fore doing so the priest placed a white
gown or shroud over the condemned
man. His hands were then securely
bound behind him and he said: ~ am
ready" This was the order of command
and the procession started for the scat
fold. The priests, Fathers Broderick
and Wade, walked on each side of the
prisoner, with Deputy Sheriff Medley in
the lead. The rear was brought up by
Deputies Adams, Maloney, Barber, Pad
gett and Murphy. AS the doomed man
passed ont of the doorway of the Jail,
his face assumed sickly pallor. He
cast quick glance toward the few per-
sons who had congregated about the
door. He repeated the words of the
litany in unison with his spiritual ad-
visers and walked with firm step. AS
he entered the gate of the enclosure sur
rounding the scaffOld his eyes fell upon
his coffin, which had been left near the
Jail building. A slight tremor passed
ever him and one of the priests, noticing
it, took hold Of his arm and led him TO
the steps of the scaffold.
In starting to ascend the steps of the
S%AAO"S MS ANNt pNNAuAC ia TIT
robe which he wore. Father Broderick
caught hold of the gown and held il
clear of the prisoners feet. When he
reached the platform, Matthews gave a
hasty glance at the instrument of death.
1t was but moment The guards tied
his feet. Deputy Sheriff Medley placed
the rope around his neck and the black
cap over his head. The priests and the
attendants stepped back, a signal was
made to Sheriff Wade, who pulled the
drop from the inner room of the jailer's
house.
The execution was performed. The
body shot down and for moment wa:
perfectly still. II vas the general impress
sion that his neck had been broken, but
almost before speculations could be put
into circulation, the body, hanging with
in a short distance of the ground, began