The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-12
GEO. MATTHEW'S HANGED.
He Murdered the Husband of His
Paramour-Other Executions.

La Plata, Nd, March 12.-George Mat
thews, the murderer of James ]. Irwin
was hanged in the Jail yards here at
$3.50 today.
James J. Irwin, a prosperous but
rather illiterate farmer was found dead
in his bed on the night of August. 1885,
his brains having been blown out with
a shotgun. Investigation disclosed
guilty intimacy between the mans wife
and George Matthews. Embedded in
the brain of the murdered man was a
scrap of newspaper which had been
used as wadding for the load and in
Matthews cabin was found the news
paper from which it had been torn. His
arrest and that of Mrs. Irwin followed.
A verdict of murder in the first de-
gree was secured against Matthews.
He then made a confession duplicating
Mrs. Irwin as an accessory The wO-
man secured a change of venue to Bal
timore, but when she was put on trial
Matthews refused to testify against her
he being sentenced to death. There was
no way 10 punish him for contempt and
the woman's acquittal followed. A Wig
lance committee was organized in
Charles county and she was warned not
to return to that locality which warn
ing she has thus far Obeyed. Matthews
was removed to Baltimore for safe
keeping. He has maintained a stoical
demeanor and steadfastly refused to
further inplicate the woman.
MAYHEM ELECTROCUTED.
Sing Sing, March 12.-Arthur May
hew was electrocuted in the peniten-
tiary here at 11:191a o'clock a. m, to-
day.
At II o'clock the night of March z,
1886, Stephen Powell, the 7O-year-old
superintendent of the Hempsted, L. l.,
gas works closed his office and started
hOmeward. 1t was his custom to carry
large sums of money on his person.
When he had almost reached his house
Arthur Mayhem who had been hiding
behind tree waiting for the old mans
coming, sprang out and hit him heavi-
ly on the head with a black jack. Pow
ell fell to the grond and then Mayhem
rffied his pockets securing about $500.
John Wayne meanwhile kept guard for
Mayhem to prevent any interference.
For this he is now serving Is years in
Sing Sing. Wayne confessed and i'm
plicated his partner in the crime be-
yond all hope. Mayhem was convicted
and sentenced to death.
His execution was postponed on ac-
count of retraction by Wayne of his
confession. However. Judge Keogh
did not belive that Wayne had perjur-
ed himself in the first instance and re-
the murder of old Stephen Powell
was expiated at Sing Sing.
MURDERED A WOMAN.
St. Johns. N. B., March 12-John E
Sullivan was hanged today at Dorces-
ter, N. B. His crime was the murder
of Mrs. Eliza butcher and her son six
years old at Meadowbrook on the night
of September IL, 1896. Mrs. butcher
kept a small tavern, but the only in
mates of the place at the time were
herself, her little son and a daughter 10
years old.
Sullivan entered the place for the pur-
pose of robbery. Mrs. butcher was
awakened by the noise and made an
outcry. The robber thereupon attacked
her and killed her with an axe after
which Ire assaulted the children killing
the boy and badly injuring the girl.
Sullivan next fired the house and fed.
The flames aroused the neighbors and
one was able to enter through a rear
door and rescue the little girl The
charred remains of the other two were
found in the ruins. The rescued child
remained unconscious for several weeks
but finally recovered. 1t was her evil
dence that convicted Sullivan.