The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-14
MIDNIGHT
EXECUTION
Murderer BOinay Hanged
at Wethersfield.
UNUSUAL vITALI1YSH0WN
Went to HIS Terrible Doom In His
UNUSUAL vITALIlYSHOWN
Went to HIS Terrible Doom In His
Wedding Garments.
KILLED AGED FARMER NICHOLS.

Hartford, April 14.--Charles A. Boinay,
who was convicted OF the murder of Mr..
Nichols In Trumbull last year. was exc
cuted at the state prison at wethers-
field shortly after midnight. The drop
fell at 1918, and at 1891 he was pro-
nounced dead. Boinay displayed un-
usual vitality. as II was a much longer
time than IL usually takes before the
physicians stated life was extinct. Only
FL seconds elapsed after Boinay stood on
the plate before the trap was sprung.
The hanging was the sixth one that has
occurred in the state prison since the in
PRODUCTION of the so-called automatic
gallows, and. as on the previous oc-
casions, Warden Woodbridge was the
recipient Of many congratulations for
the dispatch with which the Gruesome
affair was executed.
Boiray approached his doom with the
coolness and self possession that have
characterized him since tho time OF his
arrest. While the warden was reading
the death warrant the condemned man
smoked a cigar and as he was led out
of the death cage TO the execution room.
With but few seconds separating him
from eternity. he said his "goodbyes"
without a tremor. He gave the warden
q written statement In which he reiter-
ated what he always maintained, that
David Weeks fired the shot that killed
Mr.. Nichols. He made no direct al
fusion TO his wife. He was hanged in
his wedding suit.
On the night OF July 22- 20 last George
Marcus Nichols, an aged and highly
respected farmer, living in that part of
Trumbull Conn, which is known as
Daniels Farms was shot to death by
two masked robbers; his aged maiden
sister. Mary Nichols. who was his only
companion. was seriously wounded by
a bullet; and the robbers then proceed
ed in a most wanton manner to ran
sack the house. taking cash and papers
TO the value of nearly $1,000. and pre-
pairing for themselves a frugal meal
from the farmhouse larder. partook OF
IL. while the wounded farmer lay dying
not six feet distant.
Early In their work the authorities
were led to suspect Charles A. Boinay
and his brother in law, David A. Weeks,
who lived at the home of Mrs. Bassett
Weeks mother, in Huntington, village
Weeks, a cousin OF David Weeks, was
arrested as a possible accomplice.
Through this man the police learned
enough to fasten the crime upon Boinay
and David Weeks. At length the pair
were surprised at their Huntington
home and made prisoners.
The trial was unparalleled In the his
tory OF the Fairfield county court. David
Weeks turned states evidence, confessed
his part OF the work and placed the re-
sponsibility Of Mr.. Nichols death on
Boinay. Following closely upon his
sensational testimony came that of Mrs
Maggie" Boinay. the prisoners wife
She, too. deserted her husband to save
her brothers neck. For two whole days
the woman occupied the witness stand
and swore away the lie OF her husband.
In the defense Boinay confessed that
he was with Weeks on the night OF the
shooting and helped to rob the house.
He insisted. however, that Weeks killed
Mr. Nichols. The jury promptly found
Boinay guilty and he was sentenced to
be hanged April H. subsequently David
Weeks was tried. found guilty OF second
degree murder and sentenced to life i'm
prisonment.