Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-03-18

siyely, and the struggles were sickening
to behold. When finally all became still,
DIR. Owens made an examination and
decided that Matthews and died in eight
minutes. However, he was allowed to
hang twenty minutes. At the expira-
tion Of that time the corpse was cut
down and placed i'm black stained cof-
fin. Though he died from stran guIation
his face gave no evidence of the terrific
struggle of the last act.
AS soon as the coffin was closed il was
given in charge of c. E. Wade, the un-
dertaker, who placed the remains in
light wagon and started for ST. Thomas
Catholic Cemetery for burial. The feel
ing against the prisoner by the people of
Charles county was SO pronounced that
notice was served on Undertaken Wade
that should he use the hearse for convey
ing the body to the cemetery, it would in
the future remain idle so far as they
were concerned.
Among the last acts of the prisoner
before going out to execution was TO ask
for pen and ink and paper. He wrote
letter to Mrs. Charles Wood, the wife
OF the man who procured Matthews from
the Boys Home, in Baltimore, when a
lad. In this letter Mstthews expressed
great regret for his approaching doom,
and kindly feelings for generous deeds
which Mrs. Wood had done for him while
a boy. He gave this letter to Deputy
Murphy, with instructions to mail it,
Adjutant- General Wilmer, who had
been instructed by the Governor to take
charge of the special police at the scene
OF the execution, was on duty by Z o'clock
In the morning. Twenty-Five special Of
fcers were selected, and placed in COM
mand of Mr.. Reed Wills. Philip Jen-
kins, one of the special guards, tainted
as the trap was sprung and had to be ia
ken to the courthouse, where he was re-
vived. His musket was found where he
fell.
A large crowd of curiosity-seekers ar
rived after the execution had taken
place. They were indignant at being
disappointed and blamed the sheriff for
mot waiting until the crowd had arriv-
ed" II was the general opinion of the
few who witnessed the execution that
the sheriff had done credit to himself as
well as to people of Charles county by
arranging the execution as he did, so as
to secure privacy of execution which the
law enjoins. Adjutant- General Wilmer
and States Attorney Posey both called
on the sheriff and said they wished to
thank and congratulate him on the adj
mirable arrangement of the affair. II is
safe to say that this execution was more
private and orderly than any which has
taken place in Southern Maryland in the
past year. The entire number within
the enclosure was less than fifteen, while
outside of the Jail the crowd did not ex-
coed fifty.
Matthews Story Of the Tragedy.
A short time before the hanging, Mat
thews answered series of questions for
The Sun, telling how he had killed Irwin
while the victim was asleep beside his
wife in their little house at Aliens Fresh.
in Charles county, and of the part Mrs.
Irwin had in the affair The questions
asked him and the answers he gave to
them are as follows
when and where did you make up
your mind to kill Irwin? Was Mrs. IT.
win with you:"
MY mind was made up to kill Irwin
at an appointed meeting with Mrs. IT.
win and her sister on the road, where
all the plans were made and carried out
accordingly"
Where was Mrs. Irwin when you fired
the shot? Was she in her bed with IT.
win ?"
"She was in bed with her husband, and
was awake waiting for me to come"
Did any one promise you any imuni-
ty from punishment if you did not tcs-
tify against Mrs. Irwin: If so, what
was the promise -
mo one requested me not to testify
against Mrs. Irwin. had my own rea-
sons for not doing so.'
why did you not testify against herr"
For two reasons. One was that
thought the woman had suffered enough,
and the other was that Posey had treated
me badly and deceived her, and didn't
intend to help him to carry out his
scheme"
How did you go to Twins home that
night and how did you get into the
house? Was there light in the room:"
II rowed over in my boat and landed
about One-half or three-quarters of mile
from Twins house and walked from
there"
How did you go home and by What
routef''
II left the house after the murder and
returned to my home the same way
came"
Did you see Mrs Irwin after you shot
Irwin ?"
yes, and she saw me, but she neither
moved nor spoke while was there. |
heard no cutlery until had pushed my
boat out into the middle of the stream"
There was light in the house and l
entered through a window which had
been left open for me by Mrs. Irwin. ]
never saw one moments peace from the
time the arrangements were made at that
maatinu IN tho road ,,n.;l 7 49,, t..l.l