THE CRIME OF GEORGE WASHINGTON SAGE
A sad segment of Jennings County History
The following pages were found in a folder titled "Jennings county, Indiana
Newspapers" located in the Jennings county Indiana Public Library. The pages in
the folder are typed copies of articles found in newspapers. I have retyped the
pages exactly as they read--spelling, grammar, and so forth. I haven't tried to
find the original newspaper articles. My only addition to the typed copies is to
indicate the page number as they were placed in the folder. This article was
found on pages 32-36 of the folder. Sherri Abromavage
[source V. M. Sage http://genforum.genealogy.com/sage/messages/394.html ]
The parents of George Washington SAGE were John SAGE and
Margaret McCARTNEY
Siblings of this George Washington Sage:
Mary Jane
(1820) Miriam (1822) Martha (1825) Sarah Ann (1827) Rosanna (1828) Amanda (1829)
Maud (1831, twin to GW?) James (1835) William (1837) John A (1841) Alexander
(1843) Rachael (1852).
Parents of GW were: John Sage and Margaret
McCartney
Parents of John Sage were William Sage,Sr. (born 1762, Virginia)
and Mary Ann Long
Parents of William Sage, Sr. were William Sage (born 1740,
England) and Mary
Father of William Sage was John William Sage born 1718 in
England
[source Robert Sage]
G.W.Sage married R. A. Ledbetter on 17 Dec 1861 Fayette
Co. IL
John SAGE (b.1794) married Margaret McCartney, 4 Nov,
1819 Jefferson Co, IN.
-page 32-
Jennings County, Indiana Newspapers
The Vernon
Banner
Thursday May 31, 1866
EXECUTION OF SAGE, THE CHILD MURDERER HIS
CONFESSION AND THE LAST SCENE
The morning of the 25th of May dawned with
a beauty and lovliness seldom exceeded in the gentle tide of Spring. The sun
shone upon the hill around our quiet village, and the morning songsters warbled
their music in sweet harmony with the loveliness and the quiet of surrounding
nature. But soon the scene was changed. Nature as if from a sympathy with the
terrible but just avenger of Gods broken law, put on her morning gard. At seven
o'clock the heavens were overspread with dark and lowering clouds, and the rain
decended in a slow and cheerless manner.
The streets that were but
yesterday quiet, now were filled with anxious spectators. For more than two
hours the rain continued, but with it came the crowds of people. On foot, on
horseback, in buggies, wagons, and by rail they continued to come until noon.
The enclosure-in which the scaffold was built-was an object to be inspected by
all. And well was the duty performed. From early morn till noon the crowd
pressed around it, each expressing his opinion as to whether it was "good
enough", or, he "would have made it so and so." Before noon the guard called for
the occasion was formed, and placed around the enclosure, extending as far as
the jail. They were placed in a skillful manner, and good order prevailed,
throughout the day.
The last services were had at the jail for the
benefit of the doomed and degraded man, shortly after noon and were conducted by
Revs. E.L. Dolph and James B. Swincher. Sage appeared unmoved by the services
that were being offered for his benefit. The parting scene between Sage and his
wife was most affecting; her heartfelt and piercing shrieks would have melted
the feeling of any who was possessed of a single feeling akin to humanity. When
the Sheriff announced that the time for final parting was at hand, the scene was
one that none could look upon, without a tear of sympathy diming the eye. Sage
wept and sobbed, and this wife shrieked, moaned, and agonized in a manner that
is impossible to portray on paper-to be understood it must have been witnessed.
The father of the prisoner was there at this last scene, but his manner was very
different from that of the devoted and heart-broken wife. He moved amid the
crowd and seemed to regard it as a rather unfortunate affair, but one that could
not now be avoided.
At twenty minutes before two the prisoner was brought
out from his cell, with his arms pinioned from behind. His general appearance
and demeanor was very similar to what it was during his trial, his complexion
perhaps more sallow, and somewhat reduced in flesh. He walked with a firm step,
and on entering the enclosure he mounted the steps and ascended the scaffold
with, apparently, but little assistance from the Sheriff and his deputy, who
accompanied him.
-page33-
The execution of Sage, The Child
Murderer
When he entered the enclosure he looked earnestly around and
examined the rope that was suspended from the beam above, he glanced hastily at
the preparations that had been made for the occasion. His hat was removed and an
earnest and heartfelt prayer was offered by Rev. J. B. Swincher on behalf of the
wretched man to that God whose law he had offended, and before whose spotless
throne of pure justice he must soon stand, there to receive his reward for the
deeds done in the body, and there meet the infant spirit of little Willie. After
the prayer was concluded he thanked his spiritual advisers-Rev. Dolph and
Swincher-and when the Sheriff placed the black cap over his face and adjusted
the rope, he shook the Sheriff and his deputy by the hand, wished them well, and
said he hoped to meet them in heaven. Up to this time he seemed to stand up
remarkable well, even while the Sheriff was adjusting the rope he would move his
head to facilitate its adjustment. When informed that his time had come he
commenced in a faltering and broken voice praying God to have mercy on his poor
soul, which he kept up in a scarcely audible voice until the drop fell. When the
rope was adjusted the Sheriff asked the time, and being informed that it lacked
15 minutes to two the axe fell, the drop gave way and Sage was suspended in the
air. For two minutes he struggled considerable, and the violent muscular
contractions gave unmistakable evidence that he was passing away. When he had
hung fourteen minutes the attending physicians, Drs. Green and Wiles examined
the body and pronounced life extinct. The last remains of Sage was then placed
in a coffin, his eyes and mouth closed in the usual manner, and was then removed
from out of the enclosure, where all who desired had the privilege of looking
upon all that was mortal of this misguided man.
Although this was the
first execution that ever took place in the county, Sheriff Dixon performed his
part as minister of the outraged and broken law in a manner that did credit to
himself, and satisfaction to his friends. He performed his duty not as an
executioner simply, but as a hightoned gentleman and officer discharging his
duty toward the public. And this duty he performed with commendable respect for
the feelings of the friend of the unfortunate man.
We cannot close our
report without referring to the kind attentions paid the prisoner by his
ministers, Revs. E. L. Dolph and J. B. Swincher, who have labored earnestly to
educate his dark and benighted mind, in the eternal truths of God, and to fit
him to stand before His Eternal Throne, of pure and complete Justice; and to
love beyond the tomb. Sage acknowledged their kindness, and professed to enjoy
the hope of his acceptance and peace with God.
The execution was
witnessed by A. W. Lett, Frank Coryell, Col. K. Brown, E.S. Whitcomb, A. J.
Ralston, John Sterns, Wm. Todd, Daniel Elliott, Hiram Denton, Thos. Ennis,
George Whetzel, and G. W. Anderson being the citizens summonsed to witness the
execution. The following gentlemen of the press were admitted. Theo. T. Scribner
of the Indianapolis Journal; Jno. A. Crozier of the Madison Courier; Mr.
McClannihan of the New York Herald; Mr. North of the Indianapolis Herald; and A.
S. Conner of the Plaindealer.
--page 34-
The execution of Sage, The
Child Murderer
We mention with pride the fact, that no disturbance
occurred during the entire day, although an immense crowd was on the ground,
eager to see the execution take place. Yet the best of order prevailed. The fact
can be accounted for on the score that the crowd was composed, in chief, of
citizens of this county, and all must admit that their behavior reflected credit
on our locality.
We will in the connection mention a fact that may not be
generally known-a new cure for fits. After the execution had taken place the
Sheriff was sought by an M.D. (he don't live in Jennings county, our Drs. use
other remedies,) who wished to secure a foot of the rope that Sage was hung
with. On being enquired of why he wished to keep such a curiosity-if indeed such
it could be termed-informed the Sheriff that he wanted it to cure fits with. The
remedy being both novel and new, has led us to make some enquiries on that
subject. A Very respectable physician informs us that fifteen or twenty feet of
that or any similar rope, properly applied will without doubt, cure fits "or any
other man." But on mature deliberation we believe the remedy worse than the
disease. We don't want any of it in ours. We learn the Sheriff gave him a piece
as desired.
We are indebted to Rev. E. L. Dolph for the following
confession which Sage made to him several days prior to his execution, and which
he avowed was true. We give it to our readers as made, and leave them to draw
their own conclusions. However the day before he was executed he said that he
had not told all, but that on the following day he would make a true statement,
as God was his Judge. He intimated that he was connected with a band of men, and
that some of them had visited him while in prison, for the purpose of giving him
weapons. But on the day of the execution he refused to say anything more than
was contained in his written statement. We are informed that he was advised by
one of his friends-a relative-that "it was not necessary to make confessions to
men, that if he had any confession to make it make to his God." This with the
seemingly contradictory statements in his written statement will lean many to
suspect the sincerety and truth of his words. But whether true or untrue Sage
has paid the extreme penalty for trampling under foot the highest law of nature,
and of natures God; and prepared or unprepared he has passed the Jordan of
Death, and stands before Him who knoweth the every thought of his
heart.
After the execution the remains were delivered to his friends, and
by them conveyed to Vandalia, Illinois, where Mrs. S's family
reside.
CONFESSION
"I, George Washington Sage, was born in Smyrna
Township, Jefferson county, Indiana, May 29th, 1831. I lived with my father in
the vicinity of my birth until 1860. The cause of my removal then may be learned
by giving a brief history of an event that occurred about a year
previous.
--page35-
The execution of Sage, The Child Murderer
"
On a moonlight night, after I had retired to rest, at home, some one knocked on
the window where I slept, to which I answered, and on going our found a company
of my acquaintances, who said they were going for apples. The company consisted
of Henry Vaughn, David Duncan, and the two Dunham boys, one named Henry, the
other's name I have forgotten. James McCarty was asleep and as they wished him
to go along, I awoke him and he went with us, under the impression that we were
going for apples. On our way we stopped for John Low who went with us
also.
As we passed Mr. Wiley White's hay stack Vaughn said he was going
to burn them when we returned. After getting the apples we came by the hay
stacks and Vaughn proceeded to carry out his threats. McCarty and I both done
all we could to stop him, but he set them on fire. We were charged with it and
arrested, and when McCarty was tried, Vaughn swore that McCarty and myself set
fire to them, and McCarty was sent to the penitentiary. Low and I consulted
together, and knowing what Vaughn had swore to, feared we might far the same as
McCarty, and determined to run away, which we did, Low I think to Kentucky, and
I to Kansas.
"This, we learned during the trial, was what they wanted for
they were afraid of McCarty, Low, and Myself would tell about their plot to kill
Dr. Hall, who then lived at Kent. They had told us all their plans and invited
us to go with them but we refused. They then warned us if we ever told on them
they would kill us. We tried to get Dr. Hall word, but they waylayed and shot at
us and we did not get there. They failed to kill Hall, and then, for fear we
would tell, hired McCarty and I to go away. We went as far as Missouri, when we
changed our minds, came back and gave the money to the father of the boys
concerned in the plot. He had furnished it. They then got up this hay burning
and swore it on us to get us out of the way.
I returned from Kansas to
Illinois and settled within four of five miles of Vandalia, Fayette county where
I married Rebecca Leadbetter. I remained there until 1865. During the time we
had two children born to us. The oldest, Mary Elizabeth, who has since died, and
the youngest, John Henry, who is still living.
"In the spring of 1865 we
moved to near Paris, Jennings county, Indiana, where I lived when arrested for
the murder of Mr. Todd's children. I had been working for Mr. Todd some two or
three days, for which he paid me when we settled, which was only a few days
before the murder was committed. Soon after this settlement, I learned our
property in Illinois was about to be sold, and knew of we could get there it
could be saved, but had no money to pay our way. I was very much troubled about
it, and was thinking every day how I could raise the means to go.
--page
36-
The execution of Sage, The Child Murderer
" On the evening of
March 7th, I went over to Mr. Todd's, who lived about a quarter mile from us.
When I came to the house, I found the family out, and the children playing in
the yard or garden. Having learned while working for him where he kept his
money, I was tempted to take it, and at once commenced searching for it. Just as
I found it the children came into the house, and knowing who I was, came to me
apparently without fear. Something suddenly came over me, and I was so excited
that I seemed beside myself. While in this state of mind I determined to kill
them. I gathered a piece of brick that lay on the hearth, and at once commenced
to carry out my wicked purpose, striking them as they came to me, the oldest
first and the youngest last. The last one, which was the youngest, I struck a
very light blow. I left immediately, but before I was a great way from the house
I heard crying and knew the children were not all dead. I now began to reflect
on the great crime I had committed, and suffered intensely in my mind as I
thought about it. I would have given all I had in the world, and even died
myself, if that would undo what I had done. I did not expect to escape
detection, as the children were not all dead, and as they knew me, I supposed
they would tell as soon as some one came in.
" I was arrested that same
evening by Wm. H. Dixon, and tried before Philip Jones, Esq. who sent me to the
county jail to await my trial at the next term of the circuit court.
The
rest is known to the public. I understand that reports are circulating that I
have been concerned in other disgraceful crimes than the one for which I was
convicted. All such reports are false. If I ever took the life of any human
being besides William Todd, it was while serving my country three years as a
soldier of the 7th Illinois cavalry, from which service I was honorably
discharged. But whatever I did as a soldier, I did it in obedience to the orders
of my superior officers, and therefore do not feel responsible. Besides that,
the foregoing confession contains all my crimes of a public character of which I
am guilty. Nearly five years of my time was spent in Illinois, and I am willing
my neighbors there should be questioned as to the truth of my statement so far
as they know.
"This statement I make with an honest desire to tell the
truth, and knowing, too that I must soon answer before the Judge of all men. I
still feel truly sorry for all my sins, and have sincerely repented, and believe
I have obtained mercy, and enjoy a hope of eternal life."
George
Washington Sage (his mark)
Attest:
Sam M. Dixon
Jacob
Clinton
to