Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-06-17


which the black cap was adjusted and
the trap sprung.
One popularity concerning Gordy
was his inclination TO make light of
serious matters. When, on Thursday,
he learned that the scaffold had been
completed and after he had been denied
the opportunity of making personal
inspection, iBis said that be requested
that it be whitswashed.
The rope with which Gordy was
hanged was the pest italian hemp. 1t
was an inca thick and had been pro-
cured in Philadelphia specially for the
occasion. The rope was go stiff when
it was brought hero that a friend OF
the sheriff put in nearly whole day
working" 1T SO that 1t could be
properly handled. just before the
execution it was again dampened and
worked"
Gordy is the second man to hang from
the hook in the scsffold. His predeces-
sor was Jospeh Burton, colored, who
was hanged in 1879 for rape.
John Andre, the negro murderer,
who has been acting as guard at the
Jail since he was pardoned, few years
ago, was conspicuous by his absence
against his life and he left the jail to
obviate becoming involved in an un-
pleasantness, which was not at all i'm.
possible.
Throughout the day a brace of guns
stood in Sheriff Johnson's parlor, ready
for action IL necessary, while the
deputy sheritfs were also provided with
weapons. Many of the Deputies carried
cfn f.lt =
any emergency. On Tuesday night
some of the pickets carried guns over
their shoulderss sEe
Gordy's funeral was about as quiet
and unceremonious as could be
imagined. Plans had been made for
q church funeral service at Gumboro,
and the Rev. j. III. S. Ewel OF George
town had been engaged TO prearh the
sermon. In the first place, however,
Gordy wanted services held in the
Methodist Protestant Church here, of
which MIR. Ewell is pastor. but such
arrangement 1t IL Understood, was not
agreeable to all of the members of the
church, ana the request could not be
complied with. The plan then was to
have the service transferred TO the
Gumboro Church, but Gordy's brothers
they finally decided that Eessrs. Ewell
and Cain should conduct services at
the family mansion at Whitesville,
after which interment was to he made
in the family buryiug ground there.
But before Gordy was dead the plans
were again changed and the programme
The body was cut down Is minutes
of fa xua
after all Of the IL jurymen had certi-
fed to the death of Gordy, the remains
were placed in the coffin and Under.
taker MarviPs henrse started off with
it. With some difficulty passage way
was made through the crowd at the
gate, but utter that no trouble was en-
The lonely hearse wended its way to
the home of the good old
broken hearted mother. There was no
funeral procession and very little to
give solemnity to the lonely trip.
The start was made before noon and
the Gordy mansion was reached about
the middle of the afternoon. At the
request Of the brothers, who had again
changed the programme, the ministers
did not accompany it, and, with the
funeral service at thu farm house by
1ne of the neighbors there was no cere-
mony. The short service required but
very little time. and burial was made
IN the farm without delay. There were
very few people present. Those who
we're at ths bouse went there to sym.
pathize with the members Of the family,
who command the respect of the entire
With the burial of the body the
jordy case passed into history as an
,nsolved mystery.
GoRDY's TERRIBLE CRIME.
The crime for which Gordy paid the death
penalty was probably the most shocking in
he history of Delaware. The charge against |
lin. which was conclusively proved by
trong circnmstantial evidence, was the |
,rutal murder of the woman to whom he |
lad been married but few days.
For several years Gordy had been con- |
idered wayward by people who knew him. |
lie was native of Sussex county and came |
# an excellent family some of the mem
'ers of which, who still reside in this |
1cinity, being highly respected. But the |
entral figure of this narrative was the
'lack sheep OF the flock, and for some time
'etore he was brought before the bar of /
ustice last spring was regarded with great
leal of suspicion.
several years ago he married respectable
'oung woman and for time matters APP
'eared to run smoothly with Gordy and his |
amiiy. Several children were theresult Of |
he union. Just two years ago to-day Mrs
iordy died, and about week later one of |
he children passed away. 1t is said that
iordy received some life insurance money
" the death of his wife and child.
Soon after the death of the wife and child |
iordy put his farm, which is located on the
Dad to Milton about four miles from
georgetown. in the care Of Harvey Messick.
he surviving children were given over to
he care of Gordy's mother, who lives near
owes Cross Roads, in this county, and
iordy, feeling free, travelled great deal.
lie spent considerable time in the cities, and
'hen here divided his time between his own
esidence and that of his mother. Just
That business Gordy had in the cities the
eneral public here did not know. In fact,
Is trips were rather mysterious
Early in the spring Gordy became &C.
TAINTED with Mrs Lewis. whose husband
ad died some time before She was then
wing at No. 26lS Eighth avenue, New York
ity. She and Gordy are said to have beer
larried in New York City on February
ith, and from that time until March 9th
1ey are believed to have lived together in
le Hat No. 26l3 Eighth avenue. On March
)th they left New YORK City, ostensibly to
ome to Gordy's residence here. AT least
lat is what the woman said before her .
cath. They CAME down from New York |
n the train arriving here about 7.S0 o'clock
! the evening, but instead of continuing on
} Georgetown, their natural stopping place,
ley left the train at Milford. Giordy left
is wife in the station there and proceeded
the Central Hotel stables, where he hired
horse and carriage. He then drove out to