New-York tribune., 1917-07-14
Poisoned Inmate of Home
She Conducted in
Windsor, Conn.
Daughter Comforts
Aged Defendant
Communication To Be Sought
if New Trial Is
Denied

draws. one of the inmates. Fltteen
minutes after the verdict was returned
Judge Green sentenced her to be
hanged before sunrise, November o.
The jury's verdict was a distinct
shock. not only TO the defence, but also
70 the crowd that packed the court
room. Most of those who had attended
the trial had predicted that there would
bs a disagreement. It took the jurors
a little less than four hours to reach
a decision.
Mrs. Gilligan Wept Loudly
There was absolute silence in the
chamber when Judge Green asked the
little shrunken woman in black:
"Amy E. Archer Gilligan, have you
anything to say why the sentence OF
death should not be pronounced against
your"
The defendant only wept loudly and
clung to the arm Of her pretty young
daughter, Mary Archer, who has been
her tower of strength throughout the
trial.
Judge Green then pronounced SEN
tence. As he concluded. "and may the
Lord have mercy on your SOUL" his own
voice shook.
After the judges charge, of two
hours duration, the jury went TO lunch
at 12:07 and retired to consider the
verdict at 1:05. All day the courtroom
and the corridors were packed with
crowds Of men and women, who were
permitted to hear the jury's verdict
and then elected.
Before o'clock, newsboys were
shouting their extras as Mrs. Gilligan
was led out back entrance to an auto
mobile, which later dashed through the
big crowd gathered to catch glimpse
of the condemned woman. She clung
TO her faithful daughter, who quickly
regained her composure and attempted
to comfort the mother.
An unusual feature of the proceed
ings was the prompt overruling of At
torney Benedict NJ. Holden's motions to
set the verdict aside and the speedy
arrsignment Of the prisoner for SEN
tence.
Appeal TO Supreme Court
Attorney Holden, who has numerous
exceptions on the record, will immedl-
ately appeal to the Supreme Court for
p new trial, and even If his client
should be again convicted and sen.
fenced 10 the gallows, il is believed
that the State Board of Pardons, Of
which Governor Holcomb is exofficio
chairman, will undoubtedly commute
the death sentence TO life imprison-
ment, as Connecticut has not harged a
woman since 1886, when Hannah Oc-
ouish, a half-breed girl Of twelve years,
was publicly hanged at New London.
States Attorney Hugh NJ. Alcorn to-
night had the exhibits in the case i'm
pounded in the custody Of the court
clerk
The Judges charge was generally
construed as against the woman and
permitting only first degree verdict
fnd this impression was heightened
when the Jury came in for further in
structions at 4:1S. IL was then ap
parent that the difficulty was in deter
mining the degree of murder, and the
Judge reread a portion of his charge
saying il was difficult TO suppose case
of wilful poisoning that was not mur
der in the first degree. Subsequently
il became known the jurors debated &
long time about the sufilciency of tht
testimony.
The Connecticut statutes provide
that no person shall be convicted of {
capital offence except upon the testi
mony Of at least two persons or its
equivalent. The jury was doubtful il
II had the equivalent required, and this
is one Of the many points on which At
torney Holden will frame his appeal tC
the Supreme Court Of Errors.
In the latter portion of his charge
Judge Greene said the defence claimed
the arsenic in the bodies of Andrews
and others who died at the Archer home
came from arsenieal embalming fluid
but had not proved il, nor attempted e
prove II, by the testimony of Under
taker Eugene J. Shea. of Lee, Mass.
who was not questioned about the ma
ture Of the embalming fluid he haC
used.
Inmate OF Home Died Suddenly
On May 80, 1914, Franklin r. An
drews, an inmate Of the Archer Home
was stricken suddenly i'll and dice
within few hours. The day befor,
he had been apparently in perfect
health.
This death and a series of Other
sudden demises at the Archer HON,
brought the attention of the state po
lice TO Mrs. Gillgsn. They worked
with States Attorney Alcorn for near
ly year before they arrested the
woman.
On the night Of May /, 1916. the body
Of Andrews was exhumed from the
Cheshire cemetery. and an autopsy was
held in the tool house Of the cemetery
Unmistakable signs Of arsenic poison.
ing were reported by DR.. Arthur j
Wolf. who performed the operation.
Indicted for Five Murders
On May Mrs. Gilligan was arrest
ed for the murder of Andrews Inves
LEGATIONS Of the state also brought q
light that she had purchased NOR,
than pound OF arsenic at the Windsor
drug store, within nine months Bodies
Of other former inmates were dug w
and examined. As result. Mrs. Gil
ligsn was indicted for the murder OF
FIVE persons. She was tried, however
only on the Andrews indictment.
Most Of the inmates OF the Archer
Home paid 81 900 on entrance. anc
were then cared for for the rest OF
their lives.
Three Cubans Killed by Gas
nj IA l. A