The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-29
LEWIS LANE.
The Wife-PoisOner - He EXpiates His Crime
TO-Day-An Interview With Him-What He
Had tn Saw.

The Wife-PoisOner He EXpiates His Crime
TO-Day-An Interview With Him-What He
To-day, in Pttsburg, Lewis Lane, the negro
who was convicted of wife-poisoning and SEN
fenced to be hung, is to eXpiate his crime on the
gallows.
Notwithstanding the reports which have been
in circulation for the past few weeks in regard
to his being unwell, he appears to be in the best
of health, and will probably stand upon the
scaffold sound man physically. AS the time
for the execution approaches, there are large
number of requests to see him, the most of
which are refused, from the fact that Lane has
repeatedly expressed the wish that none should
be admitted except his counsel, attending priest,
and the Sisters of Charity. BY these he is fre-
quently visited and always appears to be glad to
see them.
Yesterday several of the members of the press
were admitted to the cell of the prisoner, but the
interview, as has been the case with all former
Ones was not very satisfactory so far as the
procuring of news was concerned.
When the party entered the cell Lane con-
signed to their use. as seats, the chair, the
trunk, and the bed, and quietly seated himself
on the steam-ppe which runs through the
apartment, in astyle which plainly said, Gentle
men, if you have come here out of curiosity you
will not be very well satisfied" The only car
peting which the cell contained was a rug,
which the prisoner had extemporzed, and in
shape it bore striking resemblance to coffin.
Lane yesterday appeared more nervous than at
any time since his confinement, and moved about
as though he was Ill at ease, and was beginning
to realize the terrible doom which awaits him.
After some general remarks as to the pri-
soners health, and his being resigned to his fate
in which the talking was all done by the visitors,
the following question was asked, with view of
obtaining some facts concerning his early life:-
Questlon-Some of the papers have stated that
you were born in Rockingham county, Virginia,
and Others that you were born in Loudon county
which is correct? Answer-I don't know.
Question-Doy you still protest your innocence
OF the crime of which you have been convicted!
Answer have nothing further TO say about
that; am going to hang for it, and do not care
To discuss the matter.
Question-Do you not think that you had a
1air trial! Answer-Certainly, do not. CIhiS
was said in n scomful and derisive manncr)
Queston-We have understood that there was
some difficulty about obtaining witnesses; that
there were some gentlemen of respectability
where you formerly resided who would have
testihed as to your good character, and thls
might have had weight with the Jury as the case
stood. Answer-Yes that is perhaps the case,
out 1t Is OF no use now; it is too late-too late
| Questlon--lt Is the desire of the press OF thls
city to do you justice in the matter, and if you
| wish to make any statement of your side OF the
| case, II would be cheerfully published. Answer
= nave no statement to make--the statements
| have all been made 1t don't make any differ
| ence about the matt9r now.
| Question--It would be natural to suppose that
person in the situation in which you are placed
would be anxious to have the public entertain as
| favorable an opinion possible concerning
| your case Answer-7I don't care what the
| people think, it can make no difference with
| me, and don't care what the papers say about
| me.
| The party soon after withdrew, assuring the
| prisoner that they did not visit him out o.
| curiosity, but simply as duty. lie was eVi'
IDENTIFY pleased to see them depart, and shooh
| hands with them more cordially when they lef
than when they entered