Evening journal., 1897-06-11
GORDY HANGED TO-DAY.
The Murderer Made No Con-
fession on the Scaffold.
EXCITEMENT BUT NO DISORDER.
THE BRUTAL MURDERER OF HIS
WIFE WAS SHOT FROM THE
TRAP AT 1926 BY SHERIFF
JoHNsoN-PRoTEsTED HIS IN
NOCENCE TO THE LAST.
Special Dispatch Evening Journal.

Gordy, the wife murderer, was hanged
here this morning at 1926 o'clock. He
died protesting his innocence of the
crime
There was a big crowd in town to
witness the execution, and, while there
was much excitement it was suppressed
and at no time during the day was the
prisoner in danger Of mob violence.
Many persons were disappointed be-
cause they could not witness the exc
cution.
Gordy spent a fairly comfortable
night and this morning received what
spiritual consolation a man of his
character could derive from his spirit
ual advisers.
The march to the scaffold began al
1920 o'clock. Gordy bore up we'll un-
der the great mental and physical
strain.
The small jailyard was crowded to
its utmost capacity and every point of
vantage outside was occupied.
DR.. o. ID. Robinson, DR.. J. o. Pierce
and DR.. w. II. Messick were in at
tendance Rev. J. II. Ewall attended
the prisoner to the last moment
Gordy walked up the steps with a
firm tread and took his place on the
trap. Many persons expected that he
would make a confession but he did
nothing of, the kind. To the last he
protested his innocence.
Eli Sharp bound Gordy's hands and
adjusted the black cap. Sheriff John
son sprung the trap, and in few min
utes the physicians pronounced him
dead.
THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Undertaken Obed Marvel Of Laurel,
took charge of the body, according to
the dead mans wish. He had ordered
plain walnut coffin, and in it he was
taken to the old Gordy farm, in Gum.
boro hundred, and buried. The inter.
ment was largely attended by people
from miles around the county, bent or
gratifying their morbid curiosity.
ALL BARS CLOSED.
Attorney General White had re-
quested all the saloon keepers here tc
close their bars until after the hanging
to which all agreed. Notwithstanding
this precaution several intoxicated men
were seen on the streets, but they were
not disorderly.
HIS STATEMENT ON THEGALLOWs
The man was game to the last
When asked if he had anything to say
he began in voice that shook slightly
at first, but gained in steadiness ant
clearnoss as he went on. He said
''Well, gentlemen, I'll explain som,
things about the trial. The sister o
the murdered lady testified to the fur
niture belonging to her sister. WheI
arrested the detective took from me
bill of lading, which explains so full,
that one would suspect she could maxi
such a clear statement after the bill
of lading had been carefully studied b.
her / don't say positively the detec
tive showed it to her. 1t locks tina
way TO me.
The furniture / bought on Twenty
second street, New York, of an old gen
tleman about 55 years old. who said h
was selling out to go West. / gave So
for it and $40 more to have it packe
and shipped.
DENIED DAMAGING TESTIMONY.
"The colored boy testified l left Ne'
: York at 8 a. m. left Hartford, Conn
! at $40 a. m. The detective took m
} shoes to BrOadkiln creek, so he sale
5 II was the only time they were eve
there The ring in my possession
bought last Fall in P1ttsburg, Pa.
"The night Of the murder l reache
[ Harvey Messick's about 1890. After en-
tering the house something was sal
I about the time. Then l looked at m
S watch and told them it was 1880 p. n
c 1t is not true that 1 told him l bOugl
S the horse in Baltimore. The trouseI
!. referred TO had not worn since Janl
airy.
"When the detective arrested me
did not say 1 did not hurt that woman
" The hand satchel with other article
that Mr.. White claimed belonged
the murdered woman, were the prol
o erty OF my wife, who died two yea
ago.
"Mr. White said his 1O-year-old chi
could row a boat up and down BrOal
kiln creek. l don't believe II. In m
e judgment this is a sample OF the who
;. trial.
FEARED ARREST ON ANOTHE
y CHARGE.
= why did get off at Milford rath'
y than Georgetown? Because / suppos'
IS there was a writ in Georgetown for n
!. arrest. If l got off at Milford l cOu
i drive TO my place 10 escape the sheri
IN regard to the writ, l wish TO e
, plain. Another man and | were g
gagged in business at Washington,
c. l was dissatisfied and advertised
,1 sell out my interest. Among tho
N who answered the advertisement W
A. lady, who bought my interest. II
H. whole transaction was honestly dor
= as far as | understand. Then / car
home.
"Soon afterward l was advised tn
Of the sheriff at Georgetown held a WI
s ISSUED by this woman for my arrest.
consulted lawyer, showed the co