MORE ON THE HANGING IN NORWICH
On the 19th day of March, 1833, just fifty years ago; Jefferson Finch, Orrin Howard and Sidney Howard, then of Columbus, drove into Norwich to see the execution of George Dennison for the murder of Rueben Gregory, on the night of September 30, 1832, in the town of Columbus. Mr. Finch now lives in New Berlin, and is 79 years old, O. Howard 68, and S. Howard 65, both of South Edmeston, Otsego county.
The day of the 19th, of March, 1833, was clear and warm, the snow melted rapidly. The military companies formed into a long square in front of the jail, about 11 o'clock A. M., the sleigh, containing the coffin, in the centre. The prisoner sat on the coffin robed in white, and Grant B. Palmer late of Columbus, owned and drove the team to the gallows. Amos A. Franklin was Sheriff. The band played the Death March and moved with slow and solemn tread. Dennison made a speech on the gallows attributing the trouble to whiskey. Elder Bogue, made a long prayer, and the fatal drop fell a few minutes past 1 o'clock P. M. Ten thousand people were supposed to be in Norwich that day and more than at any other one time before. A half century, with her fleeting years, has passed away, and the scores that were living then have passed away also; but these three men have stood the shock of time to see a new generation and note the great change in Norwich, in the county, and in the country at large. This was the first execution in the county. Cook and Vanderlyn were attorney's for the prisoner. Dennison was buried at Columbus Quarter. No stone or monumental cross tell where his ashes lie.
H.
The day of the 19th, of March, 1833, was clear and warm, the snow melted rapidly. The military companies formed into a long square in front of the jail, about 11 o'clock A. M., the sleigh, containing the coffin, in the centre. The prisoner sat on the coffin robed in white, and Grant B. Palmer late of Columbus, owned and drove the team to the gallows. Amos A. Franklin was Sheriff. The band played the Death March and moved with slow and solemn tread. Dennison made a speech on the gallows attributing the trouble to whiskey. Elder Bogue, made a long prayer, and the fatal drop fell a few minutes past 1 o'clock P. M. Ten thousand people were supposed to be in Norwich that day and more than at any other one time before. A half century, with her fleeting years, has passed away, and the scores that were living then have passed away also; but these three men have stood the shock of time to see a new generation and note the great change in Norwich, in the county, and in the country at large. This was the first execution in the county. Cook and Vanderlyn were attorney's for the prisoner. Dennison was buried at Columbus Quarter. No stone or monumental cross tell where his ashes lie.
H.
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