Hide Article Text (OCR)
he Bushnagls Grete. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1866. EXECUTION OF MRS. GRINDER. “Death Scenes of the Modern Borgia. J THE DISCOVERY OF HER CRIMES, Her Arrest and Commitment. DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE HER TRIAL. The Trial and Verdict. SCENES WHEN THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED. Her Conduct While in Prison. CURLOSETY 10 SEE HER HUNG. she Confesses Her Guilt. rhe sheriffs Office Beserged. scarcely b44. the public time to breathe freely after the announcement of the Boyd's His trigédy before another, more startling in ite details was thrust, as In this case the vic tim was a woman, and the perpetrator was a woman. On the Sith of August lnst, Mr. James Caruthess made complaint before Mayor Low ry charging Mrs. Martha Grinder with larceny. This was a mere blind, as the sequel will show s George Grinder and his wife Martha were at this time residing in a small two story brick house on Gray's alley, near river avenue, near the Handetreet Bridge. Mrsr.Grinder had bore a good character, and was noted for her possibility and kindness of heart. Her hus band was a laboring man and deficient in force of character and intelligence. For several months, an unusual number of deaths had oc curred in her house, but it was not suspected that foul means had been employed. The sud den sickness of numbers who had eaten at Mrs. Grinder’s table at length awakened sus picion, and a subsequent investigation of facts led to the conclusion that she had been in the habit for come Months of administering poison Among others residing near Mrs. Grinder's waS f Young man by the name of James 8. Bruthers, formerly from New Castle, but at tha, time doing business for Mr. James M. Gatt, of Allegheny City. We was married to Miss Mary Caroline Phillipa, of New Castle. On the ath day of last June, Mrs. Caruthers took supper.at.Mrs. Grinders and immediate ly atternants was taken seriously ill, she gradually recovered, when her husband took her to the country. ~pon his return he, seeped with Dra. G. and Wwas himself,taken it in’ ice manner as his wife to whom he telegraphed to return. He soon became convalescent, and on the Lith of “Falyshangatr took tes with Mrs. Grinder, and was tiken fil. Mrs.Grinder paid “her frequent visits, paying her every attention, and carrying her delicacies, until the 1st day of August, upon which day she tied in terri ble agony. = . On the 19th of August, Mire, Amands John son. He of Mr. James 3L Johnson of Alleghe ny, with whom Mr.Caruthers had gone to board, having taken sipper with Mrs. Grinder, ~wartakentia, find was at Mrs. Grinder’s house for several days in a very critical condition: Bagooaeengeos creda having been removed ‘hnavend's house. By this and a combi nation of other eguses,aroused Mr. Caruthers and be determined to make information “agaist hertzor larceny of several missing ar tcles, which would give anop Fluty of search ing, s £¢ house for,poison. She was arrested ‘and detained for 'several hours until a search could be made. A‘n number of articles belong ing. Mra. €. were found in her house. A numer of sages of druze-any other arti cles found in her house were taken possession of and placed in the hands of Dr. Wuth for chemical ais. About this time quite a number of persons remembered to have been taken sick after partaxing of food At Birs. Grinders, A Miss Jennie Buchanan had been taken slck at her house and died, and circumstances pointed to Mrs. Grinder‘as her murderess. An old lady by the namns of Galvisher, a Mrs Grinder, brperor her insband?-au-infantenild of ies, Grinder,a00 the WANG: of.women who Saad comev from Cincinnati In’ search of her “‘Qinhand—these were a few among the manr ws could be remembered had died after a king of the fatal hospitailties of Mrs. ageingstres me eo rE eet this time’ the report of Mrs. Grin degiz rime multiplied. The bogus baby case, ian seewttempted tmainder of Mrs. Reynolds ‘and? Mrs. Flor @re yet fresh in the vmamitcicset prr readers, “gal pitas: re. COMMITTMENT. enerree anne sagt was added =. she public stood achast. The pa- Fazerly cotght for, morning and Bien ‘Thre information made against her by Br. Caxuthers, and also ,one by Mr. John ston. charet: her with an attempt to KIL his wife, were read toler on the Sth of August, atwhich time she was only “under arrest for Jarvenac exhibited a great desl of sur prise, and denied the necusation from begin ning coead. In default of the ball, she was cormmited to jail, to await further develop ments, 7 vig see tag: ISTE. LOM 7 Aozog martialed qapon horrors. Assist xe ope nPrenxing BY THE COMMOS WEALTH. so Was Opened to the Jury about fire wane that afternoon, by District Attorney Kirkpatrick. The court room was crowded to excess. About three o'clock in the afternoon a peculiar noise, like the click of a pistol was heard in the Tobby, which created quite a sen sation. The Court desired the tip staves to necertain the cause of it,but they failed to suc ceed. The Court reminded the jurors of the ent importance of the case, and of the p ropriety of renting any newspaper articles propartngite At‘ bat past. five, Court ad d. = . ~ toThe second day's proceedings commenced with the examination of Mr. James McCune, and uncle by marrige of Mr. Caruthers. His examination, was very brief, and Mr. Caru thers was called to testify to the identity of the body which had been exhumed,as both that of Mrs. Caruthers, after which Coroner Clawson testified to the effect that he had held the inquest.Dr. Otto Wuth then testified that he had analyzed the stomach of Mrs. Ca ruthers, and that he found antimony and ar senia in it, weathered unmistakedly. Dr. Henry Pemberiyn and Prof. B. €. Jillson, who were present, and assisted in the analysis, oth testified to the same thing. The remain der of the day was spent in the examination of Mr. James.§. Caruthers, the husband of the murdered woman. His testimony went to show that during the Miness of his wife—he being ill at the same time—everything Mrs. Grinder gave her made her worse, and in creased her agony, white on the contrary, what others gave her would relieve her. Out for the entire time, Mrs. Grinder was very idious, getting tea, cofee, milk, veal soup, crackers and delicacies, and apparently show ing the utmost interest in, and desire to alle viate the torments of the sufferer. But strange to say, every act of blindness only brought with it additional torment, while at last, after DE rane the most awful torments, reaching for the all of fire which she ,eald waa on her tongue, and rolling in agony, death came to her relief. The third day the examination of Mr. Car uthers—who was still suffering from the effects of poison—was resumed, at the close of which Drs. McCook, Sr.and Jr., Dra. Irish, Herron, Mahon, Bing, Rogers and Brown testified to material points in the case, how much arsenic and antimony will kilve. In the examina tion of other witnesses, testimony was adduced to show who had made the vrat soup, and the effect t had exercised apo those who ate of it. The fourth day showed that Mrs. Grinder was getting impatient. She wanted to get rid of some of the friends who were waiting upon Mrs. Caruthers. She was not pleased because Mrs. Smith prepared a cup of tea for Mrs. Car uthers. ‘She foretells Mrs. Caruther’s death, and about the time it would take place; on and after the death of Mrs.C., she makes prov enty of some of the deceased lndy's property to others.* The veal soup is thrown out, and a dog that eats it iy poisoned. The evidence i3 of the recent date to make more than no brief mention of it. At ffteen minutes, after four, on the %th day of October, the commonwealth closed the case. The defense had no evidence to offer. The jury were first addressed by Mr. Miller for the prosecution, followed by Mr. Jones first, and afterwards by Mr. Marshall for the defense, the closing argument being reserved for Mr. Kirkpatrick. The fifth and last day was an erentfelong to the prisoner. She appeared to be greatly depressed in spirits, and the stoical Indiffer ence that had been observable during the trial had entirely disappeared. It was on this day that any mention of insanity was made for the first time. Mr. Marshall in his argument Introduced the matter by saying, thhe jury should believe that the defen it, Martha Grinder, did administer poison to the de ceased, Mrs. Caruthers, and that she died of the ison so administered, yet if the jury should believe that the defendant was con trolled by an insane impulse which she could not resist, she is not uny of murder.” He further said, that if Mrs. Grinder was guil ty of the charge, she must be regarded as A moral’ monster, not responsible for her acts, and under an uncontrollable impulse. Judie Sterrett, in his charge to the jury, re ferred to the same subject as follows: “1¢ the prisoner administered the poison and thereby caused the death of Mrs. Caruthers, sie in answerable for the act, unless, at the time of doing so, she was insane—iniang to such‘an extent as to blind her to the nature in consequences of her moral duty, and to “destroy her perception of right and wrong. If she was insance to this extent, she would not be amenable to the criminal kin. * The law is that whether insanity be general or partial must be so great as to control the will of its object and take from her the freedom of moral action. There is a species of insanity that has been sometimes recognized, consist ing of an irresistable inclination to kill or commit some other particular offense. A doctrine Which acknowledge this mania is very dangerous in its relations, and can be recognized only in the clearees discs. It ought to be shown to be habitual, and it should be confined within the strictest limits If juries were to allow it as a general mo tive, its recognition would destroy so cial order as well as personal safety- To establish it as a justifiouséon j in any par ticular case, it is necessary to show, by clear proof,ity cotemporaneous existence— evinced. Fresent circumstances, or the ex istence of a very habitual tendency, devel oped in previous cases—becoming In itself a second outme. The proof of insanity is on the party alleging it, What evi dence of Insanity is there in this case! The prisoner has offered nonvatals, and where gare wee look for it in the testimony of the Commonwealtht The whale testimony” te for your consideration on this as well as other questions of facts involved in the case. “If you shoud acquit the p tt on the ground of insanity, it will be necessary for you to eo express it in your verdict.” The ju then retired, but failed fio agree a ok Seldier that night—ten being for convic tion, nn two for acquittal on the ground of insanity. This, we have, recently,understood was the case, although at the th it Was, re ported that the two difered f the other ten, on the ground that the body of the offense was not made out—the corpus _delicti, as the Jawers have it, was not established. On Saturday, the 2ath of October, it hav ing bten announced that the Jury had agreed upon a verlot,the prisoner was brought into Court,she showed no signs of whev9 or nrustration, but walked’ with a low, steady tread. When the verdict of “Guilty was an nounced, she received it with apparently the utmost idifference, and was e¢ tinmiered as any specutar. Toylo with the fringe of her shawl, she presented the spectacle of a wrotmaw ake destitute of pity, fear or remorse. She was remanded back to jail, and has ended the trial of Martha Grinder—the man, remarkable and exciting in the history of the country. RESTESCE OF RE. QLIVDER. EXNT MATION OF HODIES. Omillie foth of Augusty Coranesi Clawson ¢x *pumed the body of iss Jennie H. Buchanan $n'fae presence of several gentlemen who “were empannelled to act as a Coroners jury, and a portion of the abdomen was taken out, and pieced in the hands of Dr. Wuth, for chemical analysis. The next day, the Coroner proceeded to New Castle with a jury, and the remainy of Sirs. Caruthers W were taken up, and tiem of the stomach, given to Dr. Wuth Se eee Te tng botlen, nutiuony Hu my sntimon yan acent used by this mode 2x cast, wreeni, was one FINAL COMMITMENT. The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Mrs. Ca epuimenreoncluded thirliboers on weeth day s were ember TD herdich of AE was See teders came to her death by qoeans of poisons administered by Mrs. Grind er. A commitment was then budget against her, charging her with the murder of Mrs. Ca xataery, a MORI MURDER. On the Hth of September are rumors reached the public car. In fact, each day added to the accumulation of horrors. It was said that she had poisoned a Mrs. Hancock, wife of a hack-driver, and her mother, an old lady named Carr. ‘aso, two children who had lived with her in a house in the Firth ward on O'Hara street, between Penn and Pike streets; wmlea, a young girl named Annie Gold, who had gone to live her. In this young girl’s case, the was a frogs decoction made from The burrs of “gympson! weeds~These devel opments were made known to Mers, Grinder, and her, mental distress became very great. She was afraid to stay in her cell alone at night, and Mr. White asked gremate-prison- er te stay with her. . . ae STILL ANOTHER ATTEMPT. .. On the Bth of september another attempt to poison Woman cinate light. In May ist, now wormman by the name of Mrs. Effon “Parker received a remittance of gin from her Husband, who was then living in”Californi, Mrs. Grinder, who was then lying in Puseys court, at iand street, formed the acquaint ance of B Mrs. Parker, and induced her to visit her. She went to the house, where she com “pd of a headache, and laid down and took Bosley nee Segel and ets pdline Ps DD - 4 ere being 20 ‘person about the house ¢xcens Mr. and Stra, T . Finder, vehe- ausp' OL. .stealin: St. TRoy swore.» indignant © at the ‘ghe insinuation,asse their innocence, and zing that the 10%be ised. | . Parker agreed to, this, and wagbn the point of Star ting, wh to it for ler, od ied odds heets : rm oo 2r youds ret coffes zhtels sh pre! are. Aner P tse was very it u 49 ° iould iivariably follow the sea. She remained in this in Jcondition deep, when she Wanased to Sen teil Hampers -absence of Mrs. Grinder, instéguted sul against Ries. G., HD bros fe a formidable array of moral integrity, and she ng Irer sta a if a Setene cake was ribject otra “abuse, and charged with, ‘paths of virtue, who fad straye from te SAMUEL Chigor. * On the 10th cam tSmiter! Guo body the an om g rinder was exhumed, having been DUreOU, that he had died gabachucny: ees amas diet, and way homes dna furlough, during which time be visit its brotee x Geer an d hiis there ck. Before a det i Bald to sed ma brother, “i pod Marta Grindes Ca 4a will is poisoned te, ae miniy Grinder teas ads, Sirs. ‘er’ are buried at Leechbu; ata be ‘believed that they all died: from pblag any’ cated the Grder family~and theo three of ae ee oo n were ta stew after a visit “paiugh’s children ; FB, BT Neetiat, he had cat ‘go bia, G8; tauter sich aa ied. aten at o ne ‘OF MARTHA: aeons. @The Grand Jury returnet G true Billi against Mrs. Gringer for the murder of Mary Caroline @arathers on the 10th: day of October, and on Foiday the 2th of October she was pub on trial: for her life, Eero Sterrett and Stowe on the dooch, ears counsel for the prosecution were District ey Jno, M. Inatrick, Esq., “Bsa Red. by Jacob H. Miller; Bag, The cour counsel for the defense were abe Me , PA Se Fearson, ant and Es fare arraigned, the oanevcument wae ‘punity at ti, see Be sonia’ m BherlyEOr will yonbo treat 5 ee ericpner= Es Gow had py euage On Saturday, November 4th, Mrs... Grinder was brought Into Court and placed in the ‘lock, preparatory to receiving her sentence, bmt for some reason or other, the fad, honest, and she was taken back to jail. On the 2th of the same month,she was again brought into Court. Her face was deadly,pale showing that her mental sufferings must have been great. When asked if she had anything to say why the sentence of the law shauld not be passed upon her, she repled, “I have noth ing torzay. Yam not guilty, that is all I have to say.” “The Court then pronounced sentence against her, after which she said, while the tears were coursing down her cheeks: “I have only to go the bar of God; 3! In the only place Thure 9 to,to show my long cence. If it had not been for Mrs. Carather g etting things from others tha from me, and in hue but me from my house, I would not have been suffering here at l am. Afr. C. want ed to take a girl spiny stairs, and the trouble grew out of that. They then tried to separate Me and my husband, and did all they could to doso. Mrs. Caruthers was 4 One woman; he was a good woman and a dear woman; Mary Pillip, was an honor to the Caruthers family. V loved Mrs. Caruthers as I did my own life, and just for that—here the prisoner again be ecame overcome and wept Litterly, I cant express my feelings. Mrs. Caruthers wras too good a Woman over 10 to under the same of Caruthers. She was an honor to the same the was too good for him. The prisoner uttered one or twvo incoheren and unmieaning cxpressions, and became scar ed. After the lapse of a few moments, the Court entered her to be remanded, and she was conducted to her quarters in the prison, supported by the Sherif, and attended by Sailor Whits and others. RECEPTION OF THE DEATH WARRANT. On Tuesday, the 5th day of December, the death warrant of Martha Grinder arrived,and the same morning was read to her. As the door opened loud wailings were heard within. She was approached by her counci, Mr Mar shall, who endeavored to calm her. She sat on the siie of the bed clinging to his hand, and after a period of violent weeping, became calm. When thy warrant was read to her, All the spectators were leaving the room she awooned, and fell back upon the bed. Better for her aad she never gained her conscious ness, THAR. . Of her death warrant, snaply. Sometimes she ably cheerful for one un ‘and a; would be 2 mn the of the oxC, ‘ecke, her agony c qntict ited her own 4 of the time in ro varentiy haan nthe fines the reception she had suffered int would appear remark her her circumstance very much depressed. cation of Marshallan mind was terrible, t doom. Rhe hos spent Ugtous devotion, and b_ _yprer weevey, ~~ en paring herself for the final not. During the ine xestigation.. of the examining Board of Binns: Phys: ‘she’ was peectly calm, and selkyed .although ehe afterwards admitted that she knew their mo tive in visiting her. Her last interview with her husband was very affecting. Hatsing her Streaming eyes upward, she appealed to Heaven to attest for innocence, sud. said ‘“George, you know that I am innocent, and o whatever the world may think of me, you will always dh hory memory; won't you, has “pandt+bhe-hee -persistently clung to the di gertion of her innocence wifil yesterday woln Phe was rumored that she had confessed, or was confessing to Rev. Br. Holos, her spiritual adviser? ae a PABBED.RURADAT Baer. eigen Pit ee at anomie ae dlot! 8..72 if, Dr. dolitics, sagis oe ee ena te a and ,religious convers ‘earn peagee,a autiditien left Her, she Ox ‘primed herself fully prepared to meet the fate which awaited hors -At about eleven o'clock ‘lnstempnt a Iunen was sent in’her cell, of which Efrs, Grinder partook freely., When her spiritual Aavivo refs (at Alireo Asx) 8BO re ed Lovey coven “and plopt soundly until seven S'clowie this Deen ‘when ‘she vias, met Dor”. gueats “of the, 2!ight: oe aehanance ABD CONDUCT TOD On being awaki this ven, Mire, Grinder rue tala mora a at serene ‘partaking of a boaig Ss breakfast,wi jaa cgon in egridl conversation’ with her spinal ade re in order to denher 34 rounds and ce eee ent hetero Pebee Ke Le the arm eired Wit er fom cells to ~cell, Her ean. firma,” ‘the Dorion’ xt. she Etrephe ees need neartold in an undaunted manner, Dno+ “(ee pforming oabe = oWhy Tery SHE BENDS FOR A CUP OF TEA. Shortly before the me fixed for her execu tion, Mrs. Grinder sent to Mrs. White, wife of the Warden, for a cup of tea, which she drank with ‘evident satisfaction, at the same time expressing her deepest acknowledgments for the uniform kindness she had received at the hands of this lady, and all others who had in any Way_had charge of her temporal wants during her confinement. The Execution. At one o'clock. Sheriff..Stewart and Deputy Sherif. Staley ascended to her cell,and found her engaged In prayer with Rev. Holmes and Sinsabaugher: the conclusion of the de votional exercises, the Sherif entered her cell, and informed her that her time had come. She expressed herself, erect, and stood up in order that she might have her armas pinioned. The She then left the cell, followed by Mrs. Grinder, supported by her spiritual adviser, Mr. Holmes,and Mr. Sinsabaugh. ‘ She came down the stairs with a firm step and with a smiling countenance, and looked like anything but a wroman about to bethanged. She was dressed in a brown merino dress, low slippers, white stockings, a white crape collar around her neck, her hands bare and her hair very neatly .* As she came in sight of the instrument of death, her eyes took it in with a rapid glance, and immediately cast them down .' She ascended the steps, took a seat in the chair,and for a few moments Wa engage in earnest conversation with Mr.Holmes. She then shook hands with him, and turning to Ms. Marshall, shook Him by the hand, thanking him for hig cfarts in her be half, Then turning to the Sheriff ahe, by a nod of the head expressed herself ready, her feet were bound, and she was assisted to her feet. During the entire time the Inevi table smile never left her countenance except when the rope was drawn about her neck An expression of deadly fear then took the place of the smile for a moment,but it soon returned, and when the cap was drawn, her eyes were closed, and she was engaged in silent prayer, her lips moving, but no sound” audible. The drop fell at just four minutes past one, and she was ALIDEE at the end of the rope. As phose, she threw oF Bad Up and seized her cap, bu t directly they r ccramped and fell from her face, one fallt alongside of her, and with the other she seized the edge of the trap, which she held for upwards of a minute. Her hand then relaxed its hold although her struggles continued, and it was evident that she was dying from strang gulation. Before the drop fall, Pr. Holmes eld her by the hind until he saw the Sherif was about to spring the drop. When he let go, she raised both his tothe attitude of prayers and Martha Grinder the manteress was launch ed into eternity. H ier body hung the time res quired by law, when it was taken down, placed in a coffin, and handed over to Mr. Deronntor interment. After the execution, Pr storges handed ug the folowing confession. MRE, GAINDEN'S CONFLASION Pirrzsuran, January idah, 15, COFT, ‘Yn view of my departure, fm a few hours earty, I swant to say that I acknowledge my guilt,in the case” of Mrs.” Caratheres, and also the case.of Miss Bughanan, Soadam in nocent of all the other charges made against me in the papers, foc. polanning people. But, bad as I have been, I :fee that God, for Christ's sake has forgiven me,and through His mercy I hope to find an entrance into heaven. I die without any hard feelings to any one forgiv ing all, as hope to be forgiven. Kr. Stewart has been very kind to me, do ing all in bin power to make me comfortable, and I pray that he may be nastates in his duty and rewarded for his kindness. Mr. White has also been very kind, and has treated me with respect always. May God be good to him! If D had been faithful to my church duties It would have been different with me now; but T am thankful that God is so good 140 pot to mt now Mat I do try to come back to him. her “Manraa MK Gnispsa, mark Witness, A, Hotra, SEC SixsaBatag. REMOVAL OF THE BODY, Ji eleven minutes after, the drop fell, her pulse ceased toBent, and fire was extinct. The poly was suffered to remain some fifteen min utes longer, when Sheriff Stewart detailed four Men to remove it and place it in the coffin. The body was then ran up, and the appe taken from about the neck, which exhibited considerable discoloration on one side, but otherwise there were no marks visible. y “pax cowers.* e body was then placed in the cosin,a plain but Beat receptacle, lned with white, and ornamented with bright screw nails, set in diamond-shaped totes. After the body was placed in the cofin the white cap was ‘removed, and the features of the deceased exposed to’ view. There was the same placid appearance of countenance and a pleasant smile pissing about her lips. The lid of the coffin was then put on, and the fom of Mrs Grinder was hidden from mortal views. DELEGATION MRFRENT FROM NEW CASTLE. Among those present are the execution term DMlessra. Robert AL Adien, Jacob Lower, James Nook, Alex. Hichardson and James Phillips, father of Mrs. Caruthers, the woman for whose death by poisoners. Grinder, suffered to ex treme penalty of the law. PERSONA FNELEST. In addition to those entrusted with the exe cution—Sherid Stewart, Deputy Sheri Cluley, Warden White and her spiritual Advisen—we notice Hon. John M. Kir atrick, Thoy, 35. Marshall,W..C. Moreland, Rev. Moore, Col. Sam. Young, of the Clarin Hanner, 3.3, Sosh eneck, Alderman Butler, Mat. Gallagher, Chief of the Cleveland Police, Alderman Strata, and eghty others. : somiee ety ene FEELS REPRESSMTED. Mr. James K. Hoath, of the Philadelphia pay and J.C. Fitzpatrick of the New York Herald were present at the execution, and will doubtless send full reports to the papers which they respectively represent. The Case of Diestirindér—Shefa far- Peano Ushamaleanpatts plates hee a le o In to Commit Suicide. ty Seiniel The public expectation has been singularly disappointed in regard to the manner in which Mrs Grinder would meet death, it being the almost universal belief that she would be una ble to walk or even stand on the day of her ex ecution, and would have to be carried to the scaffold. Another impression generally pre vailed that she would conmmit suicide by poison, or by resorting to any other means within her power to avoid the ignominous death of hanging. In this also the pubile l have been deceived, as we have been placed in posession of facta clearly proving that she not only hid the means within her power for committing suicide, but was urged and cue treated to use them. To these entreaties she turned a deaf ear, and persistently refused to take her own life. The facts are substantially these: At the October term of the Criminal Court, a woman named Maury Glenn, alias McIntyre, was convicted of the crime of larceny, as would have been sentenced to the Peniten tiary, but becoming il of typhoid fever, and obtaining the sympathy of Warden White and some other pies,she received a full sentence. It being necessary to have a female attendant in Mia. Grinder's cell, and Warden White hav ing confidence in this woman, who was placed in the cell of the t murderoas. Home two or three weeks ago, ‘the Warden discovered its that Marys McIntyre was telegraphing” to some of the man in the low er ranges of cells (that is, letting letters or notes down to them by means of a string, and putting answers back in the same way, caring that there might be something for l ong going .As he reprimanded her gay arc for her conduct. The Warden had always been fearful that Afrs. Grinder would procure on and commit suicide, and he consequently ex ercised the most Brespless vigilance for wee ast. Mary knew this, and was told to wat c Mrs. Grinder closely. She lately began to inl amnate that possibly Mrs. Grinder had poison in the cell, and said that she needed watch ing. On Wednesday she stated that she thought Mrs. Grinder “had something.” In the evening of the same day Warden White visited her cell, and conversed with her on the subject. And here we may state, no one who visited Mrs.Grinder had as much influence over her as the Warden, and no one who had access to her was more esteemic or ispedted by her. He asked her whether she*would do 10 fearful an act, when she replied that she would not—that she had no desire to poison or kill herself. ‘The Warden informed her that his suspicions had been aroused, and talked of removing’her to’ another cell. To this Mary McIntyre objected, and begged that they let be permitted to remain there at least during that night. Nothing more occurred until Thursday morn ing, at one o'clock, when the outside watch man, Mr. A. Ferguson, heard a noise in one of the cells,and arousing the Warden, informed him that someone was alok in the formula apartment. The Warden hastened at once ta ta, Grinder’s cell, and on entering found her apparently In a dying condition, Heat once exclaimed (addressing Mary McIntyre) “Well, she has “beaten yon @t. lustr’ being fully convinced t she had poi soned herself and was dying. She lay upon her bed, patsy and almost motionless, while her attendant fwas on, ein dashing water on her face, endeavoring to revive her. ary denied that she had’ taken any Relgon, and ‘alleged that she had fainted. Dr. e Condless was at once sent for, and in twenty minutes he ran in the cell. By this time Mrs. Grinder had revived,and deoied having taken, anything. The Warden desired her to take x drink of coffee, but the de elin as if ea lined, as she had an aversion to coff having once taken an eme tip in it. He urged her to drink the coffee, and she stated that she would, if they would all leave the cell except the Warden. When they had all gone out she drank the coffee and vomited freely. She then told the Warden a most startling story, the substance of which is that Mary 4% latyre had procured from an vagrant named Ang Clark, a quantity of morphia a few days be fore, and that ever since the poison was obtained, Bary had been urging her to commit suicide—telling her that she should never go out to be hanged, but or Tobwil means to try and “cheat the gallows. Mie taistontly declined to take the poison, when ary advised her to open a vein in necaria, and when she had fled nearly to death abe Maryy would give the alarm, and protean that Theadh had been inone unknown to her. These solicitations were somequent and per sistent that they annoyed her very much. On Thursday between 12 and ) vcinek a.m. while she (Mrs. Grindér)was sitting reading in the Riple, Mary rot parsons from where she had it hid, and procuring a spoon was about to mix the fatal dose for her, e@ thought that she might force her to bring the drug Rasined upon her mind-rml she spooned; and it was abile in this condition that the Warden found her The statement was so plausible that the Warden did not doubt ‘ft’ forn moment, and he immediately began to search for the Urag. Mrs. Grinder told him that May Clark brought tt in and gave it to Mary, and that Mary at first sewed it in a fold of her petticoat, but fearing that the Warden night search her and had it on her, she bid it about the wall. A number of pictorial papers had been stuck up against the wall, and under one of these the poison was found,consisting of aboutthree eer hetmorphioy wrapped in paper. May Clark had been in jail on a charge of vagrancy and had been permitted, to attend on Mrs. Grinder at times. When her term ex pired she went out, but after obtaining the son who went before a magistrate and got a commitment on her own confes sion. When she came to the jail the Warden was coal with the rd, or she would not have been Ietia without being searched, an Mrs. White, the Warden's wife, suspected that she might carry in poison. It was afterward pro] to #ea: her, but nacabe had alreadn some time, they continued not to let her have any access to Mrs. Grinders cell. When questioned about the poison,Mag said it came out of the dis pensary in the jar, but Dr. McCandices was anevent to give the He to this assertion. The arden silently learned, through a com panion of Mag, that the poison had in pur chased at a drug store. en given to Ty Mclntyre, it was wrapped in a note, addresses to Mrs. Grinder, in which the writer stated that she wished to save her from hanging, and this was all she could do for her. The note was signed “A Fric: . After the above discovery, Mrs. Grinder was stripped of every article of clothing, by omber of the Warden, and placed in another cell, where she remained until taken out for exe cution. The attempts to induce her to take poison were most diabolical, and itls suspect ed that some parties yet behind the scenes were instrumental in placing the poison in her session.» We are not advised as to whether any prosecution will be institutet against the two parties known to be implica t nnt. We may state tat this was not the drat at tempt made to induce Mrs. Grinder to commit suicide—poison having been conveyed into her on another occasion. We are not, however, in possession of the facts, and will refrain from baying anything further on the subject at present. , Warden White deserve a great credit for the vigilance which he exercised over the con demned criminals. He did all that man could do in order that the law might take its course, and now that the criminals are executed he can take that repose which for weeks past his responsibilities have prevented him from enjoying. Under the present system of management, it is simply impossible to pre vent prisoners from obtaining poison, so long as they iave partica outside who am deter mined that they shall have it. All that he can do is to exercise constant precaution and watchfulness, and this he has done to the bust of Disability. He has proved humself trust worthy in every respect, and fully competent for the discharge of his duties, which are much more onerous than most people idiagine. Personal Mention. We deem thy occasion a fitting one to return our thanks to Sheriff Stewart, Deputy Chiley, Warden White and Mr. Smith, for the many acts of courtesy tendereu to yesterday. That theirs duties were of a painful nature no one will doubt, but each and all of them deserve especial mention for the item, courteous and dignified manner with which they acquitted themselves. Sherim Stewart, we foul assured, had the matter been left to him, all the green backs that could have been plied in big office, would not have tempted him to put the fatal rope around BMirs, Arinder’s neck. But hav ing been elected to the ofice of shorif, by deemed it his imperative duty to perform all acts made obligatory upon hind by the laws of the commonwealth; and in the discharge of the duties which devolved upon him durin the past ten days, Sheriff Stewart has merit the respect and good wishes of all. May he never have the same ordeal to pass through again during his toun of oMce, nor those who may fulfil the duties of Sheriff after him. venee AY
Newspaper Details
Pittsburgh Gazette
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Sat, Jan 20, 1866
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Verena R.
USA 07 Aug 2026
Other Publications Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Catholic
Pittsburgh Daily Pittsburgh Gazette
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Pittsburgh North Hills News Record
Pittsburgh Daily Morning Post
