MAYHEW ELECTROCUTED.

Arthur Mayhew strapped into electric chair at Sing Sing.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, March 16, 1897.

MAYHEW ELECTROCUTED.

Resisted the Officers and Was Talking When the Current was Turned On.

   SING SING PRISON, N. Y., March 12.—Arthur Mayhew, the condemned murderer of Stephen Powell of Hempstead, L. I., awoke this morning at 7:30 o’clock for the last time on earth. He retired at 2:20 A. M. and his five hours’ sleep was undisturbed. His wife was with him last night until near 11 o’clock, and again this morning in company with the doomed man’s brother. They remained until a few minutes before the time set for execution. Fathers Creeden and McGuire spent an hour with the murderer this morning in prayer. The negro was baptized into the Catholic faith a few weeks ago and he joined devoutly in the services for the salvation of his soul this morning. His prayers were plainly heard through the prison corridors.

   When he awoke this morning, he asked the keeper how the weather was, and when told it threatened rain, he calmly replied “that’s too bad.” At first he refused to take breakfast, but changed his mind later and partook of a meal of eggs and coffee.

   He stoutly maintained his innocence, and continually begged his wife not to believe him guilty of the murder. All the witnesses to the execution reached the prison at 10:30 o’clock and later were conducted to the death chamber. A drizzling rain was falling which added to the dismal spectacle about the execution room.

   Mayhew died proclaiming his innocence. He declared Wayne and Frank Alfred were guilty of the murder. He made resistance when he reached the chair and had to be forced into it by the keepers, where he struggled until strapped in. The current was turned on at 11:17. Eighteen hundred volts were thrown into the negro’s body for five seconds. The current was then reduced to 150 and immediately raised again to 1,800. At the end of one minute it was shut off entirely and the execution was pronounced successful.

   Mayhew had to be supported to the chair by the two priests. He was very weak and badly frightened. Warden Sage says Mayhew is the first prisoner who ever resisted getting into the chair at Sing Sing. During the operation of strapping him into the chair the colored man continually protested his innocence with cries of “Jesus, have mercy on me.” His words were cut off by the death dealing current.

W. C. T. U. School of Methods.

   The Cortland Co. W. C. T. U. held a school of methods with the Cortland union March 3. The pleasant headquarters of the union were crowded with earnest women, eager to learn more of certain lines of work and how to do it. Mrs. Tanner, county president, presided at all the sessions. Mrs. H. B. Greenman of Cortland led the opening devotionals, after which the work of “Soldiers and Sailors” was taken up by Mrs. Johnson, who gave an account of the ship libraries, comfort bags, reading, etc., afterwards answering the many questions in relation to this department.

   At this point the enthusiastic state president of the L. T. L., Mr. Fred D. L. Squires, was introduced and he made an earnest plea for each union to take up the L. T. L. work. The hope of the nation lies in the young people. How necessary that they should be thoroughly imbued with the temperance spirit.

   A very profitable Bible reading from Ezekiel was given by Mrs. J. S. Squires, followed by noontide prayer. After accepting an invitation to visit his [Squires’] Model laundry, (which the ladies did later with great interest) the meeting adjourned.

   In  executive meeting held directly after lunch a motion was carried that three copies of the School Journal be subscribed for and one sent to our school committee and the superintendent of public schools with the compliments of the union. It was also recommended that each union be instructed to vote for the Easter lily as the state flower.

   Then the all-important work of naming the committees to arrange for the state convention was taken up. Mrs. Greenman was made chairman of committee on place of meeting. Miss L. Robertson, chairman of entertainment committee. Mrs. J. L. Keese and Miss Hare, committee on luncheons.

   Afternoon meeting opened with devotionals led by Miss Wire of Taylor. An article was read from the Union Signal, giving an extract from the Wine and Spirit News of Ohio on our temple at Chicago. The main subject for the afternoon was heredity and hygiene, conducted by the superintendent, Mrs. A. G. Henry. It was thoroughly discussed as “Heredity and Crime,” “Heredity and the Will,” etc., by Mrs. Dr. Strowbridge, Mrs. Dye, Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Henry. Miss Ethel Bennett gave a delightful recitation. Miss Hare conducted a W. C. T. U. catechism which was profitably taken part in by nearly every one present.

   Mrs. E. P. Jepson read a letter from the matron of the Seaman’s Home in New York, relative to supplies sent there. Mrs. Culver has devised an unique way of reaching the sick by means of the little powder boxes and prescription blanks and instructed the ladies how to use them.

   After the usual vote of thanks the meeting adjourned to meet with Cincinnatus union in June. The executive board came together immediately after to continue plans for the state meeting and other business. BY PRESS REPORTER.

PALMER & CO.

The New Double Store Nearly Ready for the Opening.

   The large store of Palmer & Co., 9 and 11 North Main-st., is fast filling up with goods, and it is expected that the opening will occur in about two weeks. Thursday afternoon large mirrors were placed on the walls in each of the front windows of the south half of the store. The mirrors are the best French plate glass, six feet in height, and were procured from McKinney & Doubleday. These windows will be used for the display of dry goods. The south half of the store will be used for dry goods and boots and shoes, and the north half for groceries and crockery. New goods are arriving daily, and the shelves and counters are rapidly filling up. A new cash system is being made in Saginaw, Mich., on Mr. Palmer’s special order.

   A new Empire refrigerator has just been received from the Empire Hardware company of New York. It was made especially for this store, and is said to be one of the very nicest in the state. It has a glass front, mirrors, and a marble counter. A carload of grass seed has just been received from E. W. Conklin & Son of Binghamton, and is stored in the cellar. Only the best class of goods in every department will be kept, and the stock will be most complete.

   Low prices will prevail. The success of Mr. E. C. Palmer, the head of the firm, in mercantile lines in the past, insures success here and his correct business methods and wide acquaintance insures a large trade.

  

Mr. McEvoy Nominated.

   Mr. Thomas J. McEvoy, who will be graduated from Amherst college next June, has been nominated, subject to the approval of the state superintendent of public instruction, and has accepted—subject to such approval—the position of principal of the intermediate department at the Normal [School] to succeed Miss Grace K. Duffey, whose resignation, tendered some time since, will take effect at the end of the school year. This is the same position which Mr. McEvoy filled so satisfactorily before going to college, and the school is to be congratulated upon securing his services again. Miss Duffey has kept the work fully up to the high standard set by Mr. McEvoy, and has earned the approval of all her associates and the highest regard and affection of her pupils. Her resignation, as well as that of Mrs. Eastman, principal of the primary department, was received by the board with sincere regret and a minute to that effect, and in recognition of their faithful and valuable services, was ordered entered on the records.

   With the increased attendance in the department and the advances made in the work in many directions the position of intermediate principal has become a very arduous one, and the local board in choosing a successor to Miss Duffey has decided that a man can fill the place with less nervous strain, hence Mr. McEvoy’s selection.

BREVITIES.

   —During the heavy wind of Sunday morning a house on Pomeroy-st. was partly unroofed.

   —Charles E. Rowe has rented his hotel, 179 Homer-ave. to Charles Moshier, possession given April 1.

   —The annual ball of Water Witch Steamer & Hose Co., No. 1, will occur Tuesday evening, April 20.

   —Cramer & Hollister are doing the plumbing, tinning and gas fitting for D. F. Wallace at the Miller block.

   —A. J. Calkins received a new cushioned tire buggy from the Cortland

Wagon works this morning.—Ithaca Journal.

   —Several carloads of telegraph poles have just been received at the D. L. & W. station to be used in replacing old poles on the S. & B. division.

   —Contractor Frank A. Groat has a force of men at work putting in shape for occupancy, the rear of the upper floors of the Miller block recently purchased by D. F. Wallace.

   —Mr. Henry Hamlin of 28 Lincoln-ave. is confined to the house by reason of a kick received in the back from a horse at the farm of Mr. N. P. Ellsworth near the brick schoolhouse Friday.

   —Mr. W. W. Kelsey received from Mr. E. H. Brewer, who is in Winter Park, Fla., a letter containing an orange blossom picked Tuesday morning, almost as fresh and fragrant as when plucked.

COUNTY COURT.

The Case of Rose Against Wells on Trial.

Four Persons Naturalized.

   A trial term of the county court convened at the courthouse Monday morning, Hon. Joseph E. Eggleston, county judge, presiding. Conrad Hug, a native of Switzerland, John Arthur Harriot, a native of the West Indies, William Garbarini, a German, and John Joseph Walsh, a native of Ireland, were made citizens.

   The cases of the people against May Hennessey and the People against Aaron Willis, both indicted for bigamy, were on the application of the defendant’s attorney, B. A. Benedict, put over the term on account of a sick witness.

   Joseph H. May of the town of Harford, indicted on two charges, selling cider to one Charles Turner on May 30, and to one Edward W. Wilcox on July 4, pleaded not guilty to both indictments. The case went over the term.

   Benjamin F. Gray, under indictment for assault in the third degree on Sanford A. Weber of Marathon, pleaded not guilty. J. H. Kelley was appointed by the court as his attorney. The case will probably be tried at this term.

   The case of Tobias L. Rose, respondent, against Harrison Wells, appellant, was begun Monday afternoon. This is an action to recover for a quantity of cabbage alleged to have been sold Nov. 20, 1893. Irving H. Palmer for plaintiff, Kellogg & Van Hoesen for defendant.