The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-21
Doom OF THE MuRDERER-THE DEATH

Doom OF THE MURDERER-THE DEATH
WARRANT READ TO CHRISTIAN BERGER.-Yester-
day Mr. Sheriff Henry G. Howell, accompanied
by exSheriG William II, Kern, and Shertfs
Attorney j. q. Saler, visited the Moyamenslng
Prison, and read the death-warrant recently
signed by Governor Curtin to Christian Berger,
the murderer OF Miss Mary L. Watt, of German
town.
When the Sheriff and his friends entered the
apartment the prisoner was standing near the
window, and looking through it's bars. he
turned carelessly around, and extending his
right hand to the Sheriff, said in a sullen man
nsr and low tone, of voice:-
''How do you doW
''Do you know me, Berger?" replied the
Sheriff.
Eyes, remember seeing you here once before,n
responded the prisoner. The latter now glanced
at the remamder.of the party then placed his
foot on a small bench and bowed his head down.
ward.
The Sheriff produced the death-warrant, and
said;-
''1lr Berger, 1 have come this morning for
the purpose Of performing an exceedingly an
pleasant duty. / have with me your death-war-
rant, signed by the Governor of this Common
wealth, fixing the time of your execution on the
9th day of April ensuing, between the hours ef
10 and o'clock
The prisoner looked up and said;-
Eyes, have heard OF it; yesterday my father
was here, and he communicated the fact to me"
The Sheriff then proceeded IN calm, dignihed
and solemn manner and IN voice slightly
tremulous to read the document that doomed
the prisoAer to an ignonlinous death. During
this time Berger retained the same positions; he
was callous, almost like breathess statue; he
was not affected in the least; not the slightest
emotion was apparent The reading having
been concluded, the Sheriff broke the silence Dy
saying TO the doomed convict that he did not
consider there was the slightest hope for par
don; not even for respite. He advised him to
prepare to meet hIs fate, assuring hiA that he
need not entertain any hope of executive
clemency
Berger replied:-"My only hope now is in
Jesus. NV spiritual adviser, the Rev. 8Ir.
Hamden, has paid me several visits lately,
which / have enjoyed very much.n
EXSheriff Kern asked him if there was any
thing he was in want Of
The prisoner replied in the negative, and
added that he "enoyed all the comforts he
could reasonably expect under the circum-
stances.'
Inquiry was then made if his wife had been
to see him recently, to which he replied that
"she had been there one day during the past
week for the last time"
Sheriff Howell again urged him to make pre-
paration Tor his fate, desiring to impress upon
his mind the certainty of DEATH
Berger made no reply. He snook hands with
the Sheriff and Mr.. Kern, and thus the interest
ing ceremonies were ended The prisoner was
LETT alone in mis- cell.
The gallows will be erected upon the same
spot where other murderors were hung. This is
located in the western part of the yard, about
midway between the wall and the rear OF one Of
the wings of the prison. The rope is already
made; it is made of the best hemp, and is about
Ave.eighths OF an inch IN diameter.
Already the Sheriff has been oeset by many
persons who desire passes to witness the eXecW-
tion; bat he has expressed firm determination
to adhere strictly TO the law in regard to its re-
quirements. The newspapers will be well repre-
sented upon this occasion, so that the public
will be enlightened as to the scenes and circum-
stances attending the execution.