Articles Relating to the Conviction and Execution of George W. Winnemore (1867), 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Kathleen Berner Groll 
<Kagrag@att.net>

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Philadelphia Public Ledger
Friday Morning, April 26, 1867

LOCAL AFFAIRS

A WOMAN MURDERED IN HER OWN HOUSE - A PARALLEL TO THE WATT AND MILLER
HOMICIDES - ARREST OF THE SUPPOSED MURDERER-

Yesterday afternoon a murder, in all its prominent features precisely
like the killing of Miss Watt, at Germantown, and of Mrs. Miller, at her
home in Buttonwood street, was committed at No. 1369 Shippen Street, the
residence of Adam and Dorcas Magilton. The victim was Mrs. Dorcas
Magilton, sixty-two years old, for the last forty years the wife of
Adam.  They had been married almost half a century, their children had
grown to man and womanhood, and they were living alone in comfort and
quiet.

At two o-clock, and soon after they had taken dinner yesterday, Mr.
Magilton left home to go to the store of a spectacle maker, a few
squares off, his errand being to have his wife's spectacles repaired.
He left her knitting, seated in a rocking-chair near a table in the
kitchen and sitting -room combined.  He told her that he would not be
long absent, and he did not expect to be, but when he reached the store,
he entered into a conversation which so interested him that he forgot
how the time was passing, and was there from an hour to an hour and a
half.  Upon leaving he immediately returned home, and when he attempted
to open the front door he was surprised to discover that it was locked.
While working at the knob of the latch, the door was opened from the
inside, and a young man named George W. Winnemore, an occasional visitor
at the house, stood inside the entry.  He had no hat on, yet did not
appear in the least excited.  As soon as he saw Mr. Magilton he said:
 "Your wife is murdered; come in and see."
 "Murdered!" exclaimed Mr. Magilton; "that cannot be, as it is but a
short time since I left her."

He accompanied Winnemore to the kitchen, and there a horrible sight met
his vision.  Extended on the floor lay the wife, her skull crushed in
with blows from a hammer, and her throat cut from ear to ear.  The
hammer was close to the head, but no knife or other sharp instrument
could be found in the room with which the throat had been cut.  Close to
one of the hands was the ball of yarn which Mrs. Magilton had been using
in her knitting, and at her feet, overturned, was the rocking chair upon
which she had been sitting.  Her position on the floor, the position of
the rocking chair, and the place where the ball of yarn was found, all
unmistakably showed that she had been approached from behind, the blow
with the hammer upon the top of the head given as she sat in the chair;
that she either fell or was pulled from the chair to the floor, where
the murderer, not satisfied with the fiendish malignity he had already
shown, finished the deed by cutting her throat.  There were seven blows
on the head, all of them penetrating the skull, and causing wounds
sufficient to produce death, independent of the cut on the throat.  The
hammer with which the blows were inflicted was what is known as a
riveting hammer.  It belonged to Mr. Magilton, and was kept in the box
attached to the ironing table.  There was no blood in any part of the
room except immediately under her head, nor was there any appearance of
a struggle whatever.  Nothing, except just about the body, was in
disorder in the room.  The work-table contained a number of articles,
and every thing was, no doubt, as she placed it.

The feelings of Mr. Magilton upon seeing his wife thus cruelly murdered
may be imagined.  He ran into the street in a frenzied state and gave
the alarm. In this he was assisted by Winnemore, who proposed to procure
a policeman.  To that end he went into the street and hailed Policeman
James McCullen, Sr., who was on Thirteenth street, near Shippen.  After
telling the policeman that a murder had been committed, Winnemore
started away, but was immediately followed and arrested by the officer
he addressed.

Winnemore was taken to the Second District Station House, where he was
searched by Lieutenant Hampton, and his clothing subjected to a rigid
examination.  There were on his person two $2 bills, stowed away in his
vest pocket.  It is stated that on Wednesday evening the son-in-law of
Mrs. Magilton gave her two two-dollar bills, and after her death they
were not found on her person, but the money taken from Winnemore has not
yet been identified as that in Mrs. Magilton's possession.  There was
also found on his person the following letter, which would seem to
indicate on his part a determination to commit suicide:

Philadelphia, April 22, 1867
TO MY FRIENDS: This sad calamity is caused by my enemies -those who were
my pretended friends.  I have been accused of many things which are
utterly false.  God knows I am innocent of them.  This note is intended
especially for M.M., of this city, although I forgive them for what they
have done.  I prefer death to dishonor, for it rests as a stigma on my
name, character, and would for years.  I have tried to bear them all,
but it bears me down with terrible _____.  I now bid all earthly friends
and enemies farewell in this life.  Let pass be forgotten.  Yours in
truth, Geo. Winnemore

No blood could be seen upon Winnemore, nor had he a knife in his
possession.  His statement was that he went into the house and found
Mrs. Magilton in the position already described, that he had no
difficulty in getting in, as the door was unlocked, but after the
discovery he locked it in order that he might search the house for the
party or parties who had committed the murder; that after making this
search was about to come out on the street, when he heard some one at
the door, and upon going there met Mr. Magilton.  After Winnemore was
taken into custody, a thorough search of the house was made.  There are
no indications of a robbery.  One or more of the bureau drawers were
open, but the contents had not been disturbed.

In a pocket in the dress of the murdered woman was found her
porte-mon??, which had a ten-cent currency note in it.  The husband
thought that he ought to have had more money about her, but he had no
knowledge on the subject.  The officers also searched the well attached
to the out-house, and there found a razor, which Mr. Magilton states
does not belong to him.  Winnemore denied all knowledge of it and said
that he did not shave himself.  Last evening, however, Lieutenant
Hampton went to the Monitor House, Front street, near Walnut, where the
accused boarded, and in his valise found a razor case.  The proprietor
of the house stated that two days ago, while shaving, Winnemore said to
him that he had a better instrument that that, and produced one, and the
proprietor last evening identified the one found in the well as the
razor loaned to him.  It was peculiar in being ground on one side only,
and for that reason it was remembered.  The proprietor also states that
on Wednesday he told Winnemore that he must  pay his board; that he
might stay one night more (last night), but he must then pay the five
days he owed or leave.  Winnemore in answer said it would be all right,
as he expected money yesterday from his brother.

The proprietor of a public house, at Broad and Shippen streets, states
that he saw the accused at ten minutes past two o'clock, when he was
inquiring the time of day.  Winnemore's own story of the time is that he
reached the house a few minutes before three and then discovered the
murder.

Coroner Daniels was summoned to hold an inquest on the body, but it was
deferred until a post-mortem examination could be made.

Winnemore, the prisoner, is about twenty-four years old, and was but
recently discharged from the regular army.  He had been a visitor at the
house for some months, and on Sunday last was there from 10 o'clock in
the morning until 7 o'clock in the evening, and took dinner with Mr. and
Mrs. Magilton.  He was at the house also about ten o'clock yesterday
morning, during the absence of Mrs. Magilton, and was talking to the
lady when her husband returned.  He then left in a few minutes.  His own
story is that after leaving the house in the morning, he wandered out to
the Schuylkill and to Fairmount Park, and was on his return home when he
again stepped into Mrs. Magilton's house and discovered the murder.  So
far as it is known, he had had no quarrel with Mrs. Magilton, and when
he visited the house they seemed to be on quite friendly terms.

The murder very naturally created much excitement in the neighborhood in
which it occurred, more because the unfortunate woman was well known and
universally esteemed.  She was the mother of General Magilton, whose
connection with the Pennsylvania Reserves has made his name quite a
familiar one to our citizens.  His numerous friends will deeply
sympathize with him in his sad bereavement.



Philadelphia Public Ledger
Friday, May 2, 1867

LOCAL AFFAIRS

THE EXECUTION OF GEO. W. WINNEMORE - THE SCENE AT THE
SCAFFOLD-INDIFFERENCE OF THE PRISONER-HIS SPEECH-

Geo. W. Winnemore, convicted of the murder of Mrs. Dorcas Magilton on
the 25th of April last, was executed yesterday at the County Prison, the
drop falling at nine minutes of eleven o'clock.  The case has attracted
considerable attention, not only because of the atrocity of the crime,
but also because of the demeanor of the prisoner during and since his
trial.  At one time he emphatically denied all knowledge of the deed,
and then again made a tacit admission of his guilt by asserting that
Mrs. Magilton had in her possession pictures which drove him wild
whenever he was in the same room with them.  His religious feeling,
tinctured as it was with Spiritualism, also added interest to the case,
and this was still further increased by the announcement he declined to
hold intercourse with clergymen of any denomination.  Adhering to his
determination to the last, he presented the spectacle of the first man
who had ever gone to the scaffold in the County Prison unattended by a
minister.

His peculiar religious notions have already been given to the public.
He has reiterated them at every opportunity, and has frequently
expressed his belief that after his death he would appear in spirit form
to those he loved, as well as those he disliked.  A few days ago, in a
conversation with a gentleman who called in company with Mr. Killgore,
his counsel, he stated that death had no terrors for him, and that
before he was cut down from the scaffold he would be there in spirit, to
see the operation.  He also added, as a matter for congratulation, that
as he would have the power to assume the spirit form, he would return to
earth and pay his respects to certain gentlemen in this city.  Among
those to be thus visited was District Attorney Mann, and Winnemore
added, "I'll bet I'll make him draw the covers over his head."  This
idea of visiting Mr. Mann was evidently obtained from the District
Attorney's speech to the jury at the close of the case.  Mr. Mann,
referring to the allegation of the defense, that Winnemore was insane,
because he saw spirits, said it was no unusual thing to see spirits;
that, in his own experience, he had frequently gone home from court
after a day's toil, worn out and weary, and while lying in bed dozing,
his room was peopled with the persons he had met during the day.  So
strong was the impression, that it required considerable effort and a
thorough command of his faculties befor3 he could remove the illusion.
Although Winnemore asserted that he had no clear idea of what Mr. Mann
said or did, it would seem that the above suggested to him the threat of
attending the District Attorney at his bed-side.  Winnemore also stated
his intention of visiting in the spirit certain newspaper gentlemen, who
are supposed to have rendered themselves obnoxious on account of their
reports and comments in regard to his case.

During Wednesday he reiterated his power and intention of revisiting the
earth.  The only gentleman to whom he did not use this language was Mr.
Chandler, one of the oldest prison inspectors. To this gentleman he
conversed rationally, and made no attempt to discuss the spiritualistic
theory.  In all of Mr. Chandler'' interviews, Winnemore was sensible in
his manner and conversation, and at no time gave any indication of the
aberration of mind relied upon by others as the ground for a reprieve.
Throughout his prison life Winnemore has been cheerful and obedient,
asking for nothing and accepting everything from the prison authorities
without a murmur and without opposition.  Most of his time was spent in
reading or writing, and he prepared for Mr. Killgore a sketch of his
life, interlarding the narrative with his views in regard to
spiritualism and the hereafter.  A portion of this, referring especially
to the time of Mrs. Magilton's murder, has been published, and is a fair
sample of the remainder.  His objection to a clergyman was based upon
the ground that he had already made up his mind in regard to the future,
and any conversation with a minister would only distract his thought.
This he persisted in until the last.

On Wednesday afternoon at half past five o'clock, Sheriff Howell,
accompanied by Charles Gilpin, Esq., visited the prisoner in his cell.
He was seated, but jumped to his feet at once, and came forward to meet
his visitors.  Mr. Howell said to him, "George, your time is growing
very short."  Winnemore replied, "I know it."  Mr. Howell then added, "I
am convinced in my own mind that there is not a least chance for a
reprieve, and I advise you to take advantage the of the few hours left
you on earth."  Winnemore replied quietly, "I don't expect a reprieve.
I am ready, and have been for some time.  If a reprieve came, it would
only be an agreeable surprise, but I am as much prepared now as any
time."  Throughout this conversation there  was not the slightest
indication of nervousness or fear, and to the gentlemen who were
conversing with him, he appeared to be the least interested person in
the party.  The Sheriff and Mr. Gilpin then left the cell astounded at
the apathy of the man.

Later in the evening, when Mr. Howell received the dispatch from the
Governor that he would not interfere in the case, a copy was sent to
prison, and the information communicated to Winnemore, who appeared in
no way affected.  At nine o'clock he retired to bed, and slept soundly
during the night.  The watchman who patrolled the corridor looked in at
eleven o'clock, and saw him soundly asleep and snoring loudly.  At five
o'clock he awoke and appeared to be greatly refreshed.  In a
conversation with one of the keepers, he stated that he understood that
there was a rumor abroad that he designed to starve himself to death.
He smiled at the idea, and desired the attendant to notice that he had
made no attempt.  When his breakfast was brought to him at seven
o'clock, he requested the keeper to notice that he eat heartily.  He did
eat heartily, and appeared to enjoy the meal.  Shortly after breakfast,
Winnemore was removed from his cell on the second range, to one on the
ground floor.  There he received Mr. Killgore, about eight o'clock, and
that gentleman remained with him until the execution.

About the same time a brother, two sisters and two cousins applied for
admission. At first Winnemore refused to receive his brother, but was
finally induced to change his determination, and the brother was
received with the others.  The interview between the parties is
represented to have been very affecting.  Since the sentence of
Winnemore his mother has died, and his brother and sisters appeared
arrayed in deep mourning.  The females wept bitterly during the
interview, while Winnemore strove to comfort them, all the while
maintaining his own self-possession, and, except for a slight huskiness,
betraying no emotion.  He enjoined upon his brother to take good care of
his sisters.  The relatives left the prison about ten o'clock.  As they
were coming out of the institution they met the Sheriff and his jury
about to enter the building in the discharge of the duties devolving
upon them by law.  There was no scene, the brother and sisters and
cousins avoiding the party and quietly gained a car and left the
neighborhood.

Sheriff Howell and jury met at a quarter to ten o'clock and assembled in
a body, and then proceeded to the prison, where Mr. Killgore was met.
The jurors were s3on, and the Warrant of execution read to them, after
which the Sheriff proceeded to the discharge of his duty.  At fifteen
minutes of eleven o'clock, the Sheriff, Superintendent Perkins, a
keeper, and two representatives of the press, proceeded to the cell,
where Winnemore was seated, engaged in conversation with Mr. Killgore.
Winnemore rose when the party entered, and after shaking hands with the
Sheriff, sat down at the request of Mr. Howell.  The prisoner was
dressed with a plain white shirt, but wore no collar or cravat; he had
on the gray prison pants, and had on his feet a pair of new shoes.  Mr.
Howell, after asking how he was and receiving the reply, "Very well,"
said, "I told you yesterday that I had no hope of a reprieve, but I was
fearful that you had some hope, although you told me it would be only an
agreeable surprise.  When I got the despatch from the Governor last
night I sent it to you, so that you could know that there was no hope.

Winnemore (quietly) - "I had none."

Mr. Howell then informed him that he came prepared to execute the law,
when he was ready.  Winnemore replied that he was ready then.  During
this conversation Winnemore sat upon a chair in one corner of the cell,
his syes cast down and his fingers playing nerviously with a; piece of
thread or twine.  As soon as he announced himself ready, the party left
the cell, Winnemore joining them and walking to the main room in the
front of the prison, where the jurors were assembled.  The procession
was then formed as follows:

Wm. B. Perkins, George W. Winnemore, H.C. Howell, Damon Kilgore, H. Yale
Smith, MD.

Jury - William H. Kern, J.P. Hancock, H. Horter, F. Blackburn, George H.
Roberts, Spencer Roberts, R.P.King, John Thornley, William Elliott,
William Yogdes, John Lamon, Samuel L. Clement.

Sheriff's Solictor - James E. Slater.

Sheriff's Deputies - James V. Stokes, R. B. Ott, W.R. Leeds, Jas. Bain,
Jr., S. S. Money

Representatives of the press.

The gallows that had done duty so frequently was again used yesterday.
In order to prevent the prisoners witnessing execution by means of
mirrors, the location was changed.  The gallows was erected yesterday in
a small open space at the extreme end of the corridors, and in a part
where no view, direct or reflected, could be obtained.  The position of
the scaffold necessitated a much longer journey than usual from the room
to the place of execution.

During the solemn procession scarcely a word was uttered by any one in
the line, while Winnemore appeared desirous to take in at a glance the
little of the world he could see within the prison walls.  His eyes
wandered around the enclosure, and to the sky with an eager look, but
there was no sign of fear or tremor in his appearance or walk. Reaching
the gallows, Winnemore in advance of the others, walked up the steps and
stood upon the drop, where he was soon joined by the Sheriff, Mr.
Perkins, and Mr. Killgore.  After a delay of a minute the Sheriff
announced that Winnemore desired to say a few words.  Winnemore, then,
in a clear and distinct voice at first, but broken and husky toward the
close spoke as follows:

Gentlemen:  -- I am brought here on the scaffold to die, and you all
expect me to say a few words.  But one thing I want you to remember, and
that is that it is an innocent man's life you are taking -one who had
nothing to do with this crime in word or deed.  I have always tried to
live up to the best knowledge I had of the right, always did so.  How
terrible it is to hang a man for this, although death has no terrors for
me-it is a mere change of breath. I know where I will go, and I know
that I will come back again.  I am firm, you see, although parting with
my relatives and friends has almost unnerved me.  I truly forgive all
persons, no matter who they are.  I also forgive Mr. Mann, the
Prosecuting Attorney.  I forgive the Governor for what he has done, and
hope it will be the last like mine to be brought to a platform.  I did
not get justice;  I hope God will give me justice, and I forgive all.  I
have no ill-will against any person.  As Christ died for a principle, so
do I died; although you may not see it, it will not be long before you
are aware of it.  I hope my memory and name will be proved innocent for
the sake of those I leave behind me.  For myself I care nothing;  it is
for them.

The speech was a series of sentences with a somewhat long pause at the
end of which, as though the speaker was deliberating upon the form to be
used in the next.  After he had concluded his speech, he turned and bade
goodbye to the Sheriff and Mr. Perkins.  Lastly, he grasped Mr. Killgore
by the hand, and shaking it, said in a voice choking with emotion;  "God
Bless you for all you have done for me.  You have done everything, and
no one could have done more.  An angel could not have done more.  Give
my best respects to Mr. Warriner.  God bless you!"

Mr. Killgore took the hand of the doomed man, and feelingly said:
"George, farewell!  We have done all that we could for you, but we have
failed.  I can now only commend you to God, who will give you justice.
Farewell!"

Mr. Killgore left the scaffold, and the Sheriff proceeded to adjust the
white cap and manacle the wrists.  While this was being done, and before
the world had been shut from his view, Winnemore recognized Chief Lamon
among those at the foot of the gallows, and he called to him "Good
bye."  Everything being in readiness, the sheriff left the scaffold and
at nine minutes of 11 o'clock the body fell.  The body dropped and hung
motionless for a minute; then there was a convulsive movement of the
chest, followed by considerable tremor in the legs.  This continued for
a minute or two, after which the body again hung motionless.  Eleven
minutes after the drop felt the pulse had ceased to beat; in fourteen
minutes the heart had stopped its pulsation.  The body was allowed to
hang twenty-five minutes and was then cut down.  An examination
disclosed the fact that death had been produced by strangulation, and
that it had been almost instantaneous.

Outside the prison walls a small crowd gathered, but there was very
little excitement attendant upon the execution.

---------------------------------------------------------

New York Times
August 16, 1867

The Magilton Homicide in Philadelphia  Winnemore's Statement.
From the Philadelphia Ledger, Aug. 14.

George W. Winnemore, under sentence of death for the murder of Mrs. Magilton, 
has prepared a sketch of his life.  In regard to the murder, he says:

On the afternoon of April 25, 1867, I left Fairmount Park about 2:30 
o'clock, and proceeded to the house of Mrs. Magilton, arriving there about 3 
o'clock.  After knocking at the door and receiving no response, I ventured in, 
as I had been told by Mrs. Magilton to do so in case she did not hear me.  I 
went back to the kitchen, and there I saw her lying upon the floor dead.  I went 
back to the front door and fastened it, and proceeded to the parlor, in the hope 
of finding Mr. Magilton, and upon entering the parlor I heard Mr. Magilton at 
the door.  I went immediately and opened it, and told him his wife was murdered.  
After leaving him in the house, I went for an officer, and brought one into the 
house with me.  I then, by Mr. Magilton's request, started for his daughter, but 
was arrested before I got a square from the house,  The reason of my going to 
the house that afternoon was to fill an engagement made with Mrs. Magilton in 
the morning.  After remaining in my cell for the first night after my arrest, I 
was taken to the photograph gallery of Mr. Cohill and had a negative taken.  I 
was then taken to the Central Station-house, and was placed in the company of 
three experts of the Detective Force, where I had to relate all that transpired 
during that day; was treated very well; was handed a cigar of very small 
dimensions, and pumped dry in the small space of one hour, although they were 
not half satisfied with what I had related; but then, they could not get water 
out of a well when there was none in it.  I was then taken to my cell, and from 
there was placed before a Grand Jury, giving me no chance in the world to defend 
myself until the last witness was done giving her testimony, and I was then soon 
told to stop.  It almost drove me mad to hear the witnesses giving their 
testimony against me, and none for me.  I was then told that I stood very well 
under it.  No wonder, when I was the magnet, drawing the magnetism of 800,000 
persons about me, and was the central point for all these currents.  It is a 
wonder it did not take me up from their presence, and take me away.  I should 
think this would uphold me or anybody else, even if they were weak.  But it was 
not altogether the magnetism of these people, it was my own pure and innocent 
conscience that upheld me there, and has upheald me ever since, and will until I 
leave this world.  During my trial I was at times unconscious.  Sometimes I 
would hear all the testimony given by one or two witnesses-although the whole 
trial seemed to me a dream, or some burlesque.  I did not feel the position I 
was placed in as anywise disagreeable.  All the interest I took in the trial was 
when Mr. Dwight, Assistant District Attorney, spoke in closing the case.  The 
meaning of his words seemed to me sublime.  They did not come from his lips, but 
from the very centre of his heart.  It seemed so to me, at least; for around him 
were many friends who passed away long ago-both male and female.  He seemed to 
me as if he (in the other world) were surrounded by friends and conditions of 
spiritual life.  But as soon as he stopped, I felt cast down again in darkness, 
or in a dreamy state.  It seemed as if Providence stopped me from going West, 
and took me as a victim for this murder.  I believe it was for some good, or it 
would not have been.  Some great work was to be performed, and I was placed as a 
foundation for this to be built upon.  I am perfectly willing to leave this 
earth if it will be beneficial to mankind, for I know that happiness awaits me 
on the other side which I hardly ever felt or saw while on this earth.  By my 
death, living things will spring up for the good of mankind.  Thus, the very 
ones prosecuting me in this case will be benefited by these living principles.  
Gladly do I give up this life, when I know it will be of use to the world.  As a 
Saviour died for a principle, so do I.  He passed away long ago, but His 
principles live after Him.  And when I am gone, I feel confident these 
principles will live after my exit from this world.  All the satisfaction I 
crave from this world is to hear of my name being proven innocent of this 
horrible deed.  All that I can say is, I am innocent of this crime.  I cannot 
prove it myself, but I feel confident it will be proven before long to the 
satisfaction of my relations and friends, and especially to the people of this 
Commonwealth.  It then will show how far an innocent man's life can be 
jeopardized.  If I had been guilty there could not have been any stronger 
evidence against me.  I was astonished at such a chain of evidence.  Vengeance 
is mine, saith the Lord; I will repay  Surely this is coming fast upon those 
who undertook to sell my life here.  I forgive them, and I hope that God in His 
infinite goodness will also forgive them.


The New York Times
Friday, August 30, 1867

THE SCAFFOLD

Execution of George W. Winnemore, the Murderer, at Philadelphia  A sketch of 
the Tragedy and Its Perpetrator-Speech of the Culprit at the Scaffold-He 
Protests His Innocence to the Last Moment.

From Our Own Correspondent

Philadelphia, Thursday, Aug. 29, 1867.
George W. Winnemore, who murdered an old lady named Dorcas Magilton in 
April last, in the Germantown District of Philadelphia, was executed this 
morning at a few minutes before 11 o'clock in the yard of the Moyamensing 
Prison.

THE MURDER

The victim of the murder was the mother of Gen. Magilton, of the 
Pennsylvania Reserves.  At the time of her death she was 62 years of age, and 
for forty years had been the wife of Mr. Adam Magilton.  Their children had 
grown to man and womanhood, and marrying had left the old people to live alone 
in comfort and quiet, at the homestead, No. 1369 Shippen street.  On the 
afternoon of the 24th of April last, shortly after dinner, which was served at 
about 2 o'clock, Mr. Magilton left home to go to the store of a spectacle maker, 
a few squares off, for the purpose of leaving his wife's eye glasses with an 
optician to be repaired.  He left Mrs. Magilton, engaged at her knitting in a 
rocking chair near the table, in the kitchen.  He said he would not be gone 
long, but contrary to his expectation he was detained on the way homeward, and 
an hour and a half elapsed before he returned to his dwelling.  When he reached 
the house he attempted to enter by the front hall door, as usual, but was 
surprised to find it securely locked.  While Mr. Magilton was endeavoring to 
effect an entrance forcibly, some one upon the inside opened the door, and 
Winnemore stood in the entry.  He was hatlesss, but did not applear to be at all 
excited.  As soon as he saw the old gentleman he said:

Your wife has been murdered; come in and see.

Murdered! exclaimed the terrified husband.  Oh, that cannot be, it's 
only a short time since I left her.

He accompanied Winnemore into the kitchen, and there beheld the painful 
evidence of the truth of his informant's assertion.  Extended on the floor lay 
his dead wife, with her skull broken and her throat cut from eat to ear.  Beside 
the body was found what is known as a riveting hammer, but no other weapon by 
which the deed had been accomplished could be seen.  Close to one of the hands 
was the ball of yarn which Mrs. Magilton had been using at the time when she was 
assaulted, and at her feet, overturned, lay the rocking chair in which she had 
been sitting.  He position on the floor, the position of the rocking chair and 
the proximity of the ball of yarn, all unmistakably showed that she had been 
approached from behind and struck first upon the top of the head with the 
hammer;  that she either fell or was pulled from the chair to the floor, where 
the fiend made his work doubly sure by cutting her throat.  There were seven 
lacerated wounds upon the head, all penetrating the skull, and each one of them 
sufficient of itself to have caused death.  The hammer with which the blows were 
inflicted belonged to Mr. Magilton, and was kept in the box attached to the 
ironing table.  There was no appearance of a struggle having taken place, as 
everything in the room was in an orderly condition, and there was no blood 
anywhere to be seen except upon the floor immediately about the body.

EVIDENCES OF GUILT

Mr. Magilton, accompanied by Winnemore, then rushed into the street in 
search of a police officer, and meeting one within a few steps of the house, the 
almost frantic husband related the story of his wife's murder, and asked that 
the officer would go to his dwelling with him, and assist in gaining, if 
possible, a clue to the perpetrator of the deed.  Winnemore joined in the 
conversation with the policeman, and expressed the hope that the murderer would 
be speedily caught and punished.  Immediately afterward he bade Mr. Magilton 
good-day, and saying that he had an important business engagement to meet, he 
turned about and walked away.  The officer's suspicions had been aroused, 
however, and he followed the man and placed him under arrest.

When his clothing was examined at the Station-house there were no blood 
stains discovered upon it, and no other evidence, as it was then thought, of his 
connection with the crime.  Two two dollar bills were found in one of the 
pockets of his vest, but no importance was attached to that circumstance until 
it was ascertained that on the evening prior to the murder, two such bank notes 
had been given to the old lady by her son in law, and as these were not found 
anywhere in the house afterward, the presumption of guilt was strong against the 
prisoner in this connection.  A letter written and signed by Winnemore, dated 
April 22, 1867, was found in one of his pockets, by which it appeared that he 
then contemplated suicide, as the best means of ridding himself of his life 
troubles.

THE CONVICTION AND SENTENCE

In Philadelphia justice pursues the criminal with commendable swiftness.  
Winnimore's case was not an exception to the rule.  In the early part of May, 
ten days after the crime had been committed, his trial was commenced in the 
Court of Oyer and Terminer, before Judges Brewster and Pierce.  Three days were 
occupied in getting a jury, six venires being exhausted in the effort, but at 
length everything was ready and the case was proceeded with.

The prosecution showed by their witnesses, in addition to what had already 
been recited against the prisoner, that a few weeks before the murder he had 
made the acquaintance of Mrs. Magilton.  Both were spiritualists and both met 
frequently in circles, where they professed to commune with spirits while in a 
trance.  This intimacy continued down to the day of the murder, Mrs. Magilton 
always displaying a motherly affection for Winnemore, and on several occasions 
doing him acts of kindness.  On the day of the murder he had called at the house 
in the morning about 9 o'clock, but left soon after Mr. Magilton came in.  He 
was next seen at 2 o'clock standing on the steps of the house as though waiting 
to be admitted, but those who thus saw him had their attention drawn away for a 
second and did not see him actually enter it.  At 3 o'clock Mr. Magilton 
returned and found him in the house, and heard from him the statement mentioned 
elsewhere in this report.

Counsel for the defense skillfully protected his client's interests, and 
endeavored at first to prove an alibi for the prisoner, a witness alleging that 
he saw him at the Wire Bridge, Fairmount, at 2:20 o'clock on the afternoon of 
the murder, which would have made it impossible for him to have been at the 
house in Shippen street for a sufficient length of time to have committed the 
murder before Mr. Magilton's return to his home.  The witness explained, through 
his counsel, that he called at Mr. Magilton's house on the afternoon of the 
murder, while on his way homeward from Fairmount Park, where he had spent a 
portion of the day, and upon entering the kitchen discovered the prostrate form 
of the dead woman.  As he opened the hall door to go into the street in quest of 
a policeman he encountered Mr. Magilton, to whom he at once communicated his 
discovery.  The alibi was not clearly proven, however, and counsel, seeing the 
lameness of this defence, abandoned it, and then proceeded to prove that the 
prisoner was insane, and therefore not accountable for the deed, even admitting 
that he did it.

Witnesses were produced who testified that from childhood Winnemore had 
been subject to epileptic fits, the result of a fall which severely injured his 
head.  Medical experts were called to testify that long continued epilepsy 
results in the derangement of the mind, and leads finally to insanity.

As a further evidence of Winnemore's insanity, the defence called a number of 
Spiritualists, who testified to the behavior of the accused when in a trance, 
and also to the fact that he claimed to see spirits surrounding him.  A curious 
feature of this part of the defence was, that on cross examination all the 
witnesses, with but three exceptions, explained that they did not consider it 
any evidence of insanity to claim the power of seeing spirits, as they (the 
witnesses) had frequently seen them.

The Commonwealth rebutted that part of the defence applying to epilepsy by 
calling medical experts, who testified that the facts given in evidence by the 
defence did not necessarily indicate a predisposition to epilepsy.

After an exhaustive argument by counsel on both sides, and an able charge 
by Judge Brewster, the case was given to the jury on the 10th of May, and in a 
few minutes a verdict of guilty of murder of the first degree was rendered.  A 
motion for a new trail and an arrest of judgment was subsequently argued and 
overruled.  The next appeal was to the Supreme Court, where Justice Thompson 
decided that there was no ground for interfering with the proceedings of the 
Court below.  An elaborate memorial to Gov. Geary was then prepared by 
Winnemore's counsel, but it failed to produce the desired effect, and the death 
warrant, fixing the 29th of August as the day of execution, was signed.

HIS ANTECEDENTS AND PRISON LIFE

Winnemore was a member of a highly respectable family, his father having 
creditably filled the office of High Constable for a number of years previous to 
the consolidation of the district corporations.  Mr. Winnemore has been dead for 
several years.  At the time of her son's death Mrs. Winnemore was living, but 
the shock was too great for her, and soon after George's sentence she fell a 
victim to grief, and, after a brief spell of sickness, died.  The remaining 
members of the family, two brothers and two sisters of the culprit, have grown 
to young manhood and womanhood, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of all who 
know them.  George was a tall, well-proportioned man, of about 26 years of age, 
with light hair and blue eyes, entirely devoid of expression.  His countenance 
did not seem like that of a deliberate murderer, but wore a strange, dreamy 
appearance, as if its possessor was in a deep, continuous revery.  He always 
protested his innocence of the crime with which he was charged, and whenever the 
subject of his approaching fate was mentioned he treated the matter very 
indifferently.  He seemed glad of every opportunity to ventilate his 
spiritualistic views, and during all the time of his imprisonment refused to 
receive a clergyman of any denomination.  His brother one day took a Methodist 
Minister with him when he visited the jail, and that offended George to such a 
degree that for several weeks afterward he declined to see his brother when he 
called upon him.  He said to the Sheriff substantially:

I was aware that when I refused to see a clergyman it would prejudice the minds 
of the people against me.  I did not wish to misrepresent myself before the 
public by asking clergymen when I knew they could do me no good.  Their presence 
would have had a strong tendency to disturb my mind, for I feel confident that I 
know as much of the spiritual world as they do.  I have been there often while 
living upon the earth.  They could tell me that there is such a world, but I 
know that already. For I have been there.  It would not make me doubt the 
existence of such a world if everybody should deny it, for I would not doubt 
what my eyes have seen and what my heart believes.  I have no enmity against any 
member of the profession.  I have no hard feelings against any one.  Those I 
loved on earth have come back to me and controlled me very often.  I have in my 
cell been able to see those I love around me.  They did not weep or look 
discouraged, for they knew I would soon be with them, and are waiting to waft me 
to my mansion above.

In a conversation with a member of the Press one day last week, Winnemore 
remarked that before his body would have been cut down from the gallows he 
himself would be looking at it in the spirit.  He also threatened to haunt all 
Philadelphians who had had the remotest connection with his conviction and 
execution.  He stated that one of the first things he would do after death would 
be to appear at night at the bedside of District Attorney Wm. B. Mann, and, to 
quote his own words,  I'll bet I'll make him pull the bed covers over his 
head.  He said that he had often appeared in the spirit to friends of his who 
were 60 miles away from him, and, he said, If I could do that in the flesh, I 
could do more after my spirit is freed.

To a lady who visited him one day he made an implied admission of his 
guilt by asserting that Mrs. Magilton was in the habit of painting pictures and 
claiming for them spiritualistic agency, and that when in the same room with 
these pictures he was strangely and wildly excited.  This idea was advanced on 
the trial, and when a number of the paintings were exhibited to the jury, and 
then laid on the Judge's desk, Winnemore made a request that they be removed 
from his sight, as they affected him.  It was a noticeable fact that afterward 
the same pictures were handed around the Courtroom, and opened directly in front 
of the prisoner, but he failed to be affected in the slightest degree.  The 
experiment was made purposely and frequently by gentlemen in the Courtroom, and 
always with the same result.

THE EXECUTION

As the time for the execution approached the condemned man's indifference 
to his fate seemed to grow rather than diminish.  When informed last night of 
the refusal of the Governor to interfere in his case, Winnemore made some jocose 
remark, and sought to turn the current of the conversation.  His last nights' 
sleep was sound and apparently refreshing.  He retired at 9 o'clock, and arose 
this morning at 5 o'clock; washed and dressed himself, and partook of a hearty 
breakfast of eggs, bread and coffee.  His apparel consisted of a plain cotton 
shirt, gray pantaloons, and a new pair of shoes.  During the morning he was 
visited by his counsel and ??????.  At first Winnemore refused to receive his 
brother, but was finally prevailed upon to admit him.

He then enjoined upon him to take good care of his sisters.  The interview 
between the prisoner and his sisters was of the most affecting character so far 
as the females were concerned.  They wept bitterly at meeting and parting, and 
even Winnemore was more affected than at any time since his arrest.  He gave no 
indication of this during the interview, but soon after his relatives had left 
at 10 o'clock he appeared somewhat nervous, but soon recovered his wonted 
composure, and during the remaining few minutes of his existence he was calm.  
When he did converse it was relative to his future state  the power and 
intention of revisiting the earth in a spiritual form.

Shortly before 11 o'clock Sheriff Howell, accompanied by about thirty special 
deputies, including members of the Press, proceeded in a body to the prison, 
where the work of death was at once entered upon.  As the culprit walked to the 
scaffold he looked about upon the familiar scenes of the prison yard, and with a 
firm step ascended the stairway leading to the platform and stood upon the fatal 
trap.  He was not accompanied by any clergymen, as he persisted to the last in 
refusing their ministrations.  Sheriff Howell, Superintendent Perkins and Mr. 
Kilgore, the culprit's counsel, joined him, and for a few seconds there was a 
dead silence, while the jurors and physicians ranged themselves in front of the 
drop.  Mr. Howell then announced that Winnemore desired to say a few works.

Winnemore then, in a voice clear at first, but which gradually became 
husky and tremulous, spoke as follows:

Gentlemen:  -- I am brought here on the scaffold to die, and you all 
expect me to say a few words.  But one thing I want you to remember, and that is 
that it is an innocent man's life you are taking one who had nothing to do with 
this crime in word or deed.  I have always tried to live up to the best 
knowledge I had of the right, always did so.  How terrible it is to hang a man 
for this, although death has no terrors for meit is a mere change of breath. I 
know where I will go, and I know that I will come back again.  I am firm, you 
see, although parting with my relatives and friends has almost unnerved me.  I 
truly forgive all persons, no matter who they are.  I also forgive Mr. Mann, the 
Prosecuting Attorney.  I forgive the Governor for what he has done, and hope it 
will be the last like mine to be brought to a platform.  I did not get justice;  
I hope God will give me justice, and I forgive all.  I have no ill-will against 
any person.  As Christ died for a principle, so do I died; although you may not 
see it, it will not be long before you are aware of it.  I hope my memory and 
name will be proved innocent for the sake of those I leave behind me.  For 
myself I care nothing;  it is for them.

Winnemore concluded his speech, and turning to the Sheriff and Mr. 
Perkins, shook them by the hand and bade them good-by.  He grasped Mr. Kilgore 
by the hand, and with a voice choking with emotion, he said:  God bless you for 
all you have done for me;  I thank you for all;  it is all I have to give you.  
Winnemore continued for a second or two, but his words were so low and so 
smothered by the emotion he was endeavoring to stifle, that they were not 
audible to those  who stood below on the ground.  Mr. Kilgore, who was also 
sensibly affected, replied to Winnemore:  Farewell;  I have done the duty I had 
to do, but I could do nothing.  I can only commend you to God, who will do you 
justice.

Mr. Kilgore then left the scaffold, and while the Sheriff was adjusting 
the white cap,  Winnemore recognized Chief Lamon and one of the physicians of 
the prison, and bade them good-by.  By this time he had recovered his composure, 
and during the remainder of the scene was firm and collected.  The cap adjusted 
and the arms pinioned, Winnemore was left alone on the scaffold.  A close 
observation of him as he thus stood on the brink of eternity failed to indicate 
any tremor in his limbs.  At 10:51 o'clock the rope was pulled and the drop 
fell.  The body swung to and fro for a minute without any perceptible signs of 
life.  Then there was a convulsive heaving of the chest, followed by tremor in 
the legs.  All these ceased in less than three minutes after the drop fell.

After hanging for about twenty minutes longer the body was cut down, 
placed in a neat, plain coffin, and then handed over to the family for burial.  
The execution was conducted in a very quiet and orderly manner, quite in 
contrast with similar affairs in New York City.  There was a dignified solemnity 
about the proceedings that cannot soon be forgotten by the few whom duty 
compelled to witness it.  Outside the prison walls were stationed a cordon of 
police officers, who business it was to preserve order, but, as there was no 
crowd present, their work was light.  Occasionally a passer-by would stop and 
inquire of an officer what was going on within the jail, while here and there 
groups of children stood upon the sidewalks engaged in earnest conversation 
about the murder and the execution.  At noon the officers retired from the 
scene, and nothing remained to indicate to the passing stranger that another 
murderer had been hanged.

R.R.S.