FIRST HANGING IN CHENANGO COUNTY OCCURRED FIVE YEARS AFTER FOUNDING OF THIS NEWSPAPER

Reporter Describes in The Anti-Masonic Telegraph Scene As 12,000 People Witness the Death of George Denison for Murder of Columbus Resident

   About five years after the founding of The Anti-Masonic Telegraph, from which the present Chenango Telegraph originated, this county's first hanging, a penalty for murder, was enacted.  On March 19, 1833, George Denison was hung for the murder of Reuben Gregory, who resided in or near Columbus.

   Intensely dramatic, the hanging was witnessed by a crowd estimated to number 12,000 people.  The hanging of Denison was the first in this section of the country, and according to newspaper accounts people started arriving in Norwich to witness the hanging twenty-four hours before the scheduled hour.

   The swift striking of justice in this county, nearly 96 years ago, as compared to the present speed of the law is easily compared with that crime.  Denison is alleged to have committed the murder on the night of September 30, 1832, and five and a half months later he paid the supreme penalty with his life.  The crime was committed while Denison was under the influence of "ardent spirits,"  He left his work in New Berlin on September 29, 1832, journeying towards Columbus to visit his wife and two children.  Stopping at several taverns along the way he was soon under the influence of intoxicating drinks.

   Appeals from the governor failed to commute the sentence from hanging to life imprisonment and Denison went to the scaffold, content in his own mind that he was not guilty of premeditated murder and would not have committee the crime if he had been sober.

   Rather elaborate ceremonies marked the hanging of the man.  Just previous to his death he read a last message to the vast audience assembled.  Newspaper descriptions, taken from The Anti-Masonic Telegraph of that day tell of the sobbing of women while hundreds of the thousands gathered to view the hanging fainted.  Completing his last words to the public, Denison said: "I have said it, and I now say it again, that I am not guilty of wilfully taking the life of one of my fellow beings, I have done.  Farewell.  I freely forgive all men and hope to be forgiven."

   The newspaper, following the execution, described it as follows:

   "On Tuesday, pursuant to his sentence, George Denison was executed in this place for the murder of Reuben Gregory.  The evening previous the people began to pour into our village from all quarters and continued to do so until 12 o'clock (m.) on Tuesday, on which day for several hours the public square and all the roads and by-paths leading to it seemed to be one living, human mass.  The crowd of persons to get to the jail was great, but the military, under the command of Colonel Hugston, performed their duty correctly and promptly.

   "At about half past 11 o'clock the prisoner, robed in white, was conducted from his cell by Sheriff Franklin and his two deputies to a sleigh drawn by two horses and in which was his coffin, which had been stationed within a few feet of the outer jail door to receive and take him to his place of execution.  In this sleigh he took his seat wilfully and even cheerfully by the side of his coffin.  Near him and in the same vehicle sat Mr. Brown, deputy sheriff and jailer.  The procession, under the escort and protection of the military, moved to the place of execution in the public square.

   "Arriving at the foot of the gallows, the prisoner sprang from the sleigh unaided, and firmly he ascended the gallows and took his seat on the bench, his feet resting on the fatal drop.  On his right sat Deputy Sheriff Brown and on his left Deputy Sheriff Perkins.  On an adjoining scaffold were several clergymen, the sheriff and some other officials.

   "An eloquent and highly appropriate prayer was made by Rev. Mr. Sprague of Sherburne after which the prisoner rose and standing on the fatal drop read his last address to the public.  He was firm and had the greatest self-command throughout.  Concluding he again took his seat.

   "Following him addresses were made by Elder Swan and Rev. Mr. Brogue of this village, Rev. Mr. Sprague of Sherburne, Rev. Mr. Birdsall of Coventry.  The speakers dwelt with earnestness on the pernicious and fatal effects caused by the use of ardent spirits, an example of which they called upon the assembled crowd to witness before them.  During the address of one of the clergymen the prisoner asked for a quid of tobacco and coolly put it into his mouth.

   "After the conclusion of the addresses, the sheriff adjusted the rope about Dennison's neck, fastened it to the hook above, drew the cap over his face and took leave of him by a shake of the hand.  A prayer of 20 minutes' duration was given by the Rev. Mr. Brogue, after which the ill-fated Denison paid the penalty of the law at precisely half past 1 o'clock."