Evening journal., 1897-04-16

| WAS INNOCENI AND Pt1PARklJ
TO DIE-A NEW TRIAL MAY BE
ASKED FoR-THE VERDICT AP-
PROVED.
Special Despatch Evening Journal
Georgetown, April 16.-James NJ.
Gordy, the convicted murderer OF his
wife. Mary Estella Lewis, Of New
York. is already prepared to die for his
brutal crime.
His brother, Joseph, went to his cell
last night, and in response to ques-
lion as to his acceptance OF the verdict.
Gordy answered: Il am prepared to
die. But am not guilty"
After his brother left. Gordy paced
up and down his cell shouting Halle
lujah | am saved He quieted down
before morning, and is now resting
quietly In his cell Gordy has always
Jeen sort of religious maniac.
His counsel have been given until to-
morrow to file reasons for an arrest OF
Judgment, but it is believed that they
will withdraw their application for the
arrest Immediately upon the opening
1f the court tomorrow morning.
Sheriff Johnson will not allow any
one TO see the prisoner and his coun-
vel will say nothing about the verdict.
sentence will undoubtedly be passed
Ipon Gordy tomorrow, as Il is an
aounced that the court will positively
,efuse any appeal.
Gordy's aged mother prostrated over
ais conviction, and the blow may event
ially cause her death. His brothers
md sisters are all plain. hard working.
honest farming people, who have never
Snown and do not know anything of
The world outside Of this county, In
which they have lived all their lives.
some Of them have never been outside
II the county.
j. Gordy Is the black sheep OF the fam
iy. desire to handle money prompt
ID him to start out to see the world
d. .bout three years ago, and has led him
~ the steps OF the gallows.
ipecial Correspondence Evening Journal
Georgetown April l6.-Guilty OF muir
} der in the first degree That was the
B ierdiot rendered al 73O O'Clock last
/ night by the jury in the trial of james
Va. Gordy, charged with having killed
i MS vile, who was Mary Estelle Lewis,
1 If New York, on March 10.
G. GREETED WITH APPROVAL
II was $50 o'clock when the jurors
retired and they were ready TO return
their verdict as soon as they reached
The jury room. but as the court had
a aiken a recess until o'clock no poll
4 vas made until Gas. Then il was
found that there was one dissenting
vote against a verdict of first degree
a aurder. The man who cast this ballot
u. laidhe hadmade amstake. He corrected
j Il on the second vote, when the jury wos
-h unanimous.
l' The jury filed into court again, and
e. thief Justice Lore warned the crowd
against any demonstration. Clerk Dor
ui nan propounded the question as to the
ac verdict and a hush settled on the hun
l6 ireds Of persons present. The reply OF
foreman Titus-"Guilty as indicted
although given In a weak voice, could
be heard throughout the room. In an
n. instant there was a murmur OF ap-
ny proval.
st The women who have all along
ty showed deep interest In the case, were
ns out in force Many OF them congre-
ai gated on the outside OF the Court House
n and expressed approval Of the verdict.
nd GORDY NEVER FLINCHED.
", Gordy was commanded to stand up.
He arose and leaned against the rail-
ing of the prisoners dock with his
hands clasped. The verdict did not
cause him to finch.
Counsel for the defence asked that
ed the vote be again polled. and each jury
p, man answered guilty The prisoner
then sat down, and picking up his hat
=, put Il on his head.
~, Levin II. Moore brother-in-law ol
n the prisoner, and Joseph Gordy, his
.Seu brother, were sitting by the rail OF the
MS dock when the verdict was given. Boil
Of them lowered their heads and wept
nj Mr.. Moore said Gordy's mother was a
,ei her home about three and one-hal
Ice miles from Georgetown, and that h'
red was going to break the news to her. HI
ra- was sure that the news would kill her
a. TAKEN BACK TO JAIL.
INT. Chief Justice Lore ordered the wa
,rs cleared for the prisoner and asked tn
yas crowd to remain until the sherin anS
be- Gordy had gotten out OF the building
Deputy Short carrying stave tppe'
ym with black, signifying death, led ~
md procession the pIloohel AOiVmihb' w
uty Roland W. Joseph, holding a re-
staff, signifying blood, brought up tn
OF rear This is an old English custom
llls still observed in murder trials here.
anu Gordy walked through the crowd ap
parently unconcerned and was hurrie
arv to the rear entrance OF the Jail. Whei
! in he reached his cell the handouts wer
af- removed. and he asked Deputy Shor
re- for a chew Of tobacco. which was give
ned him.
81 AM INNOCENT" HE SAID.
Mr.. Short asked Gordy what b
Of thought Of the verdict He replied.
'ins II am innocent. Will they hang n
ON at Georgetown
"Gordy," said the deputy in respons'
oad "ycu are not nervous are you!
srI Not a bit, was the answer.
- Ii Is rumored that a motion may b
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