Year: 1869

uneuy Dnt he never was concerned In any overt act
himself and was simply tool in the hands OF other and
shrewder men, So, too, in Fifth Ward politics. lie es
poused the of local faction in the Democratic
party and in that way incurred the enmy OF those who
in his dire distress have been afraid to come forward to
urge repreve in his behalf Could the history OF Gerald
Eatons case be gven and ali its details OF political trick
cry. juggery, and deserton Of who had rendered
essential and important service to wing OF party
rich chapter in the local Democracy would be opened
But he considered worthless after he could do no
dirty work. and his trial. which ended December s.
1866 followed by his sentence to DEATH January
l6, 1862 t


Eaton had once received respite from Gov. Geary,
and 1t firmly believed by many Of his friends that
he would never be brought the scaold. During his
long imprisonment he cheerful, and often talked


lightly Of learning trade and becoming OF to the
public When however, he discovered that his fate was
sealed and that his crime must be expiated with his
life he asked for the ministratons Of Catholic priest
and since then Father Riley has been In constant attend
upon him, and brought him to that frame OF mind
that, while dscardng all appearance OF bravado he ex.
pressed his willingness and readiness to go upon the
scaold Throughout there has been no hypocrisy with
him. He admitted that he discharged shot the night
the fatal but declared his belief that IL did
not take effect Yesterday, he asserted that the man
who killed Heenan is walking the streets of Philadelphia


During the morning. yesterday lie received visits from
his wife and sstersinlaw, and bade them farewell
in a manner which, though cheerful. had nothing Of
bravado about It. number Of his male friends also had
interviews with him during the day. all being careful not
TO state TO him the efforts being made for his repreve
Eaton expressed his belief that there no hope for
him. and that he would undoubtedly be executed, and
stated that he ready to die. The Rev Father Riley
with him during the afternoon, and returned 10 him
again In tho evening. remained until quite late ad-
minsterng TO him the comfortable assurances
OF the Catholic faith. Late last evening he
stood at his door and Twitchell in the cor
rdor above, and the opposite sde He said to him
Well. George, how do you dol hope you Will 20 out
like a man tomorrow" Twitchell made no reply ex-
cept by signs which consisted Of elevation of the
hand TO mouth which has since been interpreted to
mean OF his intention TO commit suicide.
This morning last farewell Of his wife. the
interview being OF the most affecting character After
she left nobody allowed to communicate with him
except Father Riley who was in attendance since day


light Eaton still continued cheerful, and expressed his
thanks the most enthusiastic terms TO his counsel
asserting that they had done all in their power to save
him.


Sheriff Lyle accompanied by his deputies and jurors
and six reporters arrived at the prison at 10 o'clock
Hoping against hope he delayed the execution as long
the would permit that II at the last moment the
resolution of the Governor should yield to the pressure OF
Eatons friends the prisoner might bo alive TO receive
the benefit OF Executive clemeucy. Meanwhile, Father
Riley and Father Barry In attendance upon Eaton,
giving him the last consultations Of religion throughout
he was firm collected and la respect gave any IN
dlcatons OF fear Of his approaching DOOM About IL
O'clock Messrs Brooke and shapley his counsel visited
him In his cell 20 bid last farewell Upon the sug
gestion OF one OF the reporters to Father Riley that
the prisoner desired 10 make any statement 1t could be
more Correctly reported In the cell than at the scafold
the fact was made known TO Eaton and he at once re
piled


Ih,,. ro,hlss to say lam iuuOen, Of thing nariia
10 M
os their sIsrous In ny behalf


After this interview Eaton left alone with his spr


nal adviser and nothing OF what occurred in the
demned cell allowed 90 escape At i24o o'clock the
Sheriff concluded that there necessity for waiting
longer for from Harrisburg Information was sent
Eaton TO prepare and he expressed his Willingness and
readiness TO be led 10 the scafold.


The structure upon which Probst, Williams Armstrong
and wnnemore executed erected at the end of
the northern corridor the spot upon which Winnie
more was exccted. AT is minutes OF one o'clock Eaton
was led from his cell between Fathers Riley and Barry
both robed both chanting the drge for the dying,
as they marched from the cell Eaton, dressed neatly in


suit Of dark clothing carried In his hand black cruel


fix which he frequently placed hts lips he passed
along the walk leading 10 the gallows The procession
itself was tho condemned and tho cerBylhen'
Followed by the deputies Jurors and reporters Reach.
ing the scaiiold, Eaton, whose eyes had been down
cast during the short journey, gave one glance
at the structure, but batrayed not tho
slightest emotion. without assistance he walked up the
steps and stood with Fathers Riley and Barry upon the
scaod. Sheriff Lyle and Mr. Perkins also upon the
PLATFORM when the last rites of the Church for the
dying administered they stood aside Eaton and the
clergymen kneeled upon the platform, and while the
prayers for the dying being recIted, he followed
audiby and with firm voice. The whole concluded with
the Lords Prayer and invocation 10 the Holy Virgin,
and as Eaton from his knees ho arranged his dress
especially that part below the knees that had been
drawn up while engaged In prayer Sheriff Lyle, Mr..
Perkins and the two clergymen bade him farewell.
The Sheriff remained while the others retired and after
placing the handouts his hands behind his back put
the white cap his face. During oil this time the
most careful scrutiny OF the frame OF the man who was
expected In few minutes to be launched into eternity
failed to detect the slightest tremor lie stood and
when the moose placed around his neck in
not satisfactory to those who in charge Of the
cution he turned his head, In order to allow a more
scientific adjustment Of the so too with the cap.


IL was some time before could be properly arranged,
and during this process Eaton cain and composed,
and 40 far as possible with his pinioned hands,
assisted the Sheriff to fix the cap Its proper position


Attweye minutes OF o'clock everybody had left the
scaffold Eaton stood alone, upright, and in motion
indicating the slightest fear OF death Shut out from the
world by the cap his face. he could not tell what
vas occurring around him. and there nothing OF this
world except the rattle OF the timber II being
moved from beneath the ssaod preparatory to the pull


ing OF the rope attached to the center upright which sup
ported the platform. All these preparations he could
hear he could hear the muterngs OF the small crowd
gathered to witness his execution but Of the entire party
II ia doubtful II not the most composed At ten
minutes Of l the rope was pulled and Gerald Eaton
dropped There no percepuble struggle until the
hody had hung about five minutes when there was the
usual muscular contraction In the lower limbs


At 10 minutes before 2 o'clock the body OF Gerald
Eaton wasdeuvered by his former companions OF Ninth
A. 10 the philadelphia University Of Medicine and Sur
gery TO be e1permsnted with the electric battery by
the faculty It's reported that when the battery was


first applied the heart beat rapidly and the arms were