Grundy County IL Archives News.....Sent to Meet His Maker October 19, 1890 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000719 July 9, 2008, 10:47 pm Chicago Daily October 19, 1890 James Maxwell Expiates His Crime on the Gallows The Slayer of Farmer Decker Pays the Penalty at Morris, Ill. - Remarkable Nerve Displayed by the Condemned Man - Scenes in His Cell During His Last Few Hours on Earth - How the Execution was Conducted Morris, Ill., Oct. 17.-[Special]-John Schroeder, the Sheriff of Grundy County, hanged James Maxwell, alias Murray, about 10 o'clock this morning for the murder of Farmer Decker. Maxwell retained his self-possession until the last. He walked from the jail to the gallows between two officers unassisted, took his seat on the drop, heard the minister's prayer, made a kick because the windows of the temporary shed were not curtained, whispered to the death- watch, and was dropped into eternity without revealing his identity. Some called the deliberation of his action nerve, while others looked upon him as not possessing the instincts of a human being to an extent that he could realize the awfulness of the situation. His Last Hours of Life The condemned man retired last night at 10:30 o'clock and slept sound until 5:10 this morning, when he awoke and asked the watchman the time. His breakfast consisted of tea and milk toast, of which he ate heartily. He was as cool and collected as he has been any time since the sentence, and occupied his time as usual until the arrival of the ministers and Miss Jennie Gordon. The Rev. C. A. Buck's and the Rev. N. G. Wilson and the young lady prayed and sang with him for an hour or more. "Nearer, My God, to Thee," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and similar hymns were sung. Maxwell said he could forgive all, but did not feel quite sure he was forgiven. The two ministers retired and Miss Gordon offered a prayer for the prisoner. Maxwell, as an indication of his appreciation of the young lady's efforts, presented her with a bair chain which he had made while in jail. Miss Gordon was much affected. Some of those who had been admitted to witness the hanging stepped up to the grated door of the corridor to have a look at Maxwell. Miss Gordon said she did not think the attention of the prisoner should be diverted while she was praying with him. Maxwell blurted out an oath and ordered them away. This made the young lady feel bad and she was not so sure that her pupil was as sincere as he had represented. As she retired Maxwell handed her the following note: Oct. 17, 1890 - To Mrs. Tinsman - Dear Friend in Christ: If I am to believe all I have heard and read and what instructions I have had from my Christian friend, Miss Gordon, I earnestly hope and pray we will meet beyond that beautiful river of which I have so often sung. All my trust is staid on him who has said, "He who will seek me I will no wise cast out." Language fails me to express my feelings to you and my dear friend, Miss Gordon, and my appreciation for your expressions of sympathy. Hoping and trusting that your prayers and the prayers of all good Christians in my behalf may be answered, I remain your brother in Christ, J.F. Maxwell. Refused to Reveal His Identity Mrs. Tinsman is a Christian lady who has sent Maxwell on occasional note by Miss Gordon. Maxwell, when asked by Miss Gordon this morning if he did not desire to give his mother's name, so that word could be sent to her that he died a Christian, replied that he would meet her in Heaven. When questioned by a Tribune reporter he refused to answer any questions or say anything regarding his people. Maxwell then dressed himself for the gallows. The Sheriff came in with the death warrant and commenced to read it, but was interrupted by the prisoner, who said with an oath that there was no sense in reading it, that he knew what it was. He asked the Sheriff when the execution was to take place, and when informed that it would be very soon told Mr. Shroeder he wished he would hurry up. He called out to a man named Gallagher, whom he saw in the yard through a window, and told him to go and get a drink and charge it to his expense. He asked for a cigar, which was given him, and while smoking the Sheriff came to take him to the gallows. The execution was delayed a few minutes on this account, and while waiting the prisoner wrote the following on the wall: James Maxwell, Oct 17, 1890, 9:45 a.m. In pleasure's dream or sorrow's hour, In crowded hall or in lonely bower, The business of my soul shall be Forever to remember thee. Just as he finished this Sheriff Schroeder came to take him to the scaffold. The Sheriff led the way and Maxwell followed between James Derenzy and George Smedley. The Rev. Mr. Bucks walked in the rear. Maxwell was apparently not in the least nervous and requested his attendants not to take his arms, stating that he could walk. As he walked through that corridor he handed Derenzy the blade of a common case-knife, remarking: "Here, Jim, in all confidence, take this." The edge of the knife showed that an attempt had evidently been made at some time to use it in cutting the bars of the cell door. The shroud had been adjusted before leaving the cell. The Prayer and the Gallows Maxwell was seated on a chair over the drop and Mr. Bucks prayed as follows: O God. Father of our spirits, this man is doomed to die. Have mercy on him, pity him, help him, save him, forgive him all his past, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Unto your hands we commit his spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. The minister had scarcely finished when Maxwell, addressing the Sheriff, said: "I should think, John, if you had any feelings you would have covered the windows. I do not know that the law of this State requires that this affair be a public spectacle." The Sheriff replied the windows were too high for any one to see through. As Derenzy removed the chair and the Sheriff strapped his legs Maxwell whispered to the former: "God have mercy on my soul! God have mercy on my soul! Remember me in my last breath to Jeannie." The Sheriff then adjusted the rope and the black cap, and at 9:58 o'clock cut the cord holding the drop. In six minutes life was extinct. The fall broke the man's neck and he died almost without a struggle. As Maxwell left his cell his pulse was 118. It fell to 90 just after the drop, then to 60, and then went to 150 and stopped. The remains, according to the order of the court, were turned over to Drs. Palmer and Hand, who were present at the execution. They were placed in a neat coffin and will be disposed of as the physicians see fit. (The crime for which Maxwell's life was sacrificed was committed the night of June 25, 1890. The night in question the home of Charles Decker at Morris, Ill., was entered by two men, who went there to rob the owner, an old man of 50 years. While they were plundering the house Decker was aroused from his sleep by the noise they were making. Arising from the bed, he met the marauders in the hallway. In the scuffle which ensued Decker was hit over the head with a hatchet, which inflicted a wound from which he afterward died. The robbers left him lying in the hall, and entered the room of Mrs. Decker, the victim's mother. Her they knocked insensible by a blow from a hatchet.) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/newspapers/senttome126gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 7.8 Kb