July 13, 1860 pirate-murderer Albert Hicks was hanged at Fort Wood, Bedloe's Island.
Why not Gordon?
Bedloe's
Island
Last appeal argued a 1860 NY state law barred any prison executions except for murder or treason. But Correction board
chair  S. Draper gave feds signed permission.
The US used Ellis Island to execute two pirates April 22, 1831 and used Bedloe’s Island to execute pirate Albert Hicks July 12, 1860. Why not likewise with Gordon? His appeal even argued that a new state law barred execution except for murder or treason, and not sooner than one year after conviction. But the court rejected that argument. Correction head Simeon Draper gave feds the permission. Note: his signature.
The Bedloe's Island Fort Wood image was extracted from one found on the National Park Service site's "Early History of Bedloe's Island" web page at
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/hh/11/hh11m.htm
The “S. Draper” signature was extracted from an image of 2 dozen signatures on a petition by leading NYers on behalf a candidate for a federal appointment in the Lincoln administration.