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

I
seem, the town presented holiday
appearance, and, in addition to ths
population OF the town ana vicinity,
who spent the greater part OF the day
on the streets, there wore fully 5000
visitors from Kent and Sussex counties
and also from Maryland and Virginia,
while there was sprinkling of New
CaHtle county people.
Early in the morning strangers began
to arrive. They came mostly in car
riages, and at noon there were as many
as 300 vehicles punched together in
various places about town.
Most of the people here, except the
storekeepers, abandoned their vocatiuns
for the day aud spent the time watch
ing the curious crowds and entertain
ing visitors.
From early in the morning until late
at night the Green, which is opposite
the Court House and near the Jail,
presented an animated appearance,
while the streets were througed all
day. The crush was something un-
precedented in Georgetown.
Men and women were in holiday
attire, and, in fact, the appearance of
the people somewhat resembled that of
Sunday afternoon.
But it is an i'll wind that blows no.
body any good, and this fakirs reaped
splendid harvest. There were buyers
for every thing, from corn ealve to pea
nuts, and money appeared to be plenti-
fnl. Many of the storekeepers also took
advantage of the opportunity and dis
posed of their wares from stands on the
sidewalk.
Before the execution the bar-rooms
we're closed. and soft drinks and ice
cream were at premium, in conse-
quence.
The most enterprising fakir was
stranger, who dropped into town early
in the morning and did thriving
business selling what purported to be
pieces of the rope with which Gordy
was hanged. As matter Of fact, how
ever, this enterprisine stranger pur-
chased at one OF the local stores
quantity of halter rope, which he took
over in the vicinity of the freight yard
and cut into pieces about an inch and
a half in length, which be- afterward
found ready sale for at five cents
piece. When business became dull at
selling the 'Gordy" rope. he informed
the crowd that he had some of the rope
with which John Andrews was lynched
at Princess Anne. Nd. He found ready
sale for bis rope, but about noon the
people caught on" to his game. and,
in order to keep out of trouble he left
town without much ceremony. 1t is
understood that bis intention when
leaving was to work the towns" down
the Peninsula.
There were but 12 men on the Jury,
but in all about 80 people were 10 the
Jail yard. OF this number fully 10
were reporters, to whom Sheriff JOHN
non extended the utmost courtesy and
allowed the greatest liberties. After
the execution he was heartily thanked
by the newspaper men for the favors
shown them.
just before the cap was placed over
Gordy's face, ex-Sheriff Sharp placed
Gordy's watch in his vest pocket and
fixed his chain in buttonhole.
The watch incident was the last
finishing touch on the doomed mans
raiment. with which he had taken so
much care. He appeared to want to go
to the grave presenting ms good an ex-
ternal appearance as possible; whether
he had taken the same care with the
immortal man nobody knows but be
and his Maker. He tried to convey
that impression at any rate.
The confession on the scatsold was a
sore disappointment, to the people. and
hundreds Of them expressed their dis
approval, many in terms more forcible
than elegant.
Immediately after the execution The
people collected about town in knots
discussing the repulsive affair, and no
chart was necessary to gather the
m meaning OF their conversations. A lmost
without exception, the people believed
Gordy to be guilty and felt that he met
the death he got. They also believed
that he deliberately lied in the very
jaws of death; that he made no effort
to atone for the terrible tragedy with
which he was almost unanimously
charged. This was not only dis
appointing to the people, hut the
statement he made was disgusting in
the extreme to many. The general
query was What was his motive for
speaking as he did on the verge Of
death?" The more charitably inclined
believed that his sole object in doing
80 was desire to relieve his family
from an odium which he thought
might attach to him had he confessed
to having committed murder.
ANS tueory WhS pretty Beu6Idlly aC-
cepted. but why he went 30 far as to
make such statement as fell from his
lips is mystery too doep for ordinary
mortals TO fathom. But, many at
tribute this TO ignorance, and the fact |
that the statement was read in me-
chanical way gives the impression that |
the thoughts may not all have |
originated in his own narrow brain.
Otherwise, be would have been much |
more familiar with 1t than he was.
His spiritual advisers must certainly |
have felt that their lahors were ali in |
vain, when the end came as it did |
confession or single word |
Of explanation that would in any way
clear up any part of the mystery. The
worked hard with the doomed !
man. but they must have felt extremely |
sad when they could see nothing elss
than that the prisoner was shamming.
Each one of the ministers stated that |
Iordy had told them nothing that
night be construed as satisfactory
explanation that would clear up any
part OF the mystery. From first to last
10 would do nothing but deny the
charge absolutely.
In fact. it is not known that be con.
ided anything like confession to any.
lody. II is said that he informed one
VI the visitors to the cell that the
woman seen with him on the night of
he murder was Mary Brown of Will
but what became OF her he
allied to tell, Or if he did il was never
made public.