Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-10

not in so much demand as on similar occasion
heretofore.
The ministers in the room Of the ,ndo mined
man were joined during the morning by Rev.
i. NJ. Henry, o. Baltimore, and Rev. j. HA
johnson, of this city.
The Closing Scene.
few minutes after Il O'Clock m the crowd
was admitted, and, as on previous occa ions,
who formed lines and kept an open space abous
the scefiold.
At 1850 o'clock Gen. Croker. the warden.
with the guards chosen TO assist him left his
Office, ard slowly approached the room in which
the doomed man hsd been re moved In the morn
ing; rev minutes previously the sacrament
prisoner by Rev. Mr.. Draper.
READY TO DIE.
Cen Crocker addressed johnson, stating that
IL was his duty, as warden of the Jail, to exc
cue the sentence OF the law, which he then
read: The prisoner listened attentively 20 the
reading of the death warrant, and at the con-
el1sion Rev. Mr.. Draper asked him: Brother
johnson, are you prepared 10 die?"
The Prisoner-'.Yes, some time ago | WAS
ready. am going home to Jesus
Rev. Mr.. Gibbons asked: Brother johnson,
are you PREPARED to 60 through the dark valley,
Prisoner-"oh, yes, sir, ! feel that Jesus is
near me-"
&C Gen. Crocser-"wsn, 1 am glad that you
The Prisoners arms were then pinioned BY
one OF the guards, and Gen. Crocker, with one
OF the guards, passed out, followed by the pris-
oner between two other guards. his lips mov!n '
In prayer as be passed along with the ministers,
He walked
Up THE STEPS TO TIE GALLONS
with quick. light tread in advance OF the
guards by his side. He was immedia-e!y placed
IN position beside the fatal moose, when he
prayer. Rev. Mr.. Draper lined out the 6rSr
verse of the hyEn Jerusalem my hanr,-
home,' in which the condemned man joined a.
66e;saftliy and ieIvently as the others. Res. Mr.
Gibbons recited the Lords pray T and implored
that the Lord would aid this soul in passing
through the dark valley of
THE SHADOW OF DEATH
The guard proceeded TO tie the legs Of ths
prisoner, who said, in loud voice, "Good .bve
friends; goodbye everybody. l am going hons
70 Jesus. Won must come and meet me- The
ministers then turned their faces, AMI sung
"ADd must L lay this body down. the black
cap being drawn over JOhnsons face in the
meantime. The prisoner joined in singing nm
vi the signal (the waving OF handkerchief
was given, at two minutes past one O'Clock, aud
the trap was sprung, and the body fell.
DEATH Ely sTRANGULATIoN.
70, moment there was not movement of
the DoCy, but subsequently for four or five
minutes the limbs moved convulsively and the
shoulders were drawn up several times The
BODY was allowed to hang 81 minutes, when il
wa; was e ian 6y Dr. Young, physician to the
JAN, brs. McWilliams, Leach, Van Arnum
BoarmaD, and others. The neck was not disIo.
Gated, and the physicians found that the vic
I'm vi me Ia" oiea OF strangulation; but they
Immediately after the fall of the drop.
THE BODY
was placed in the coffin and taken to Mt Zion.
georgetown; Messrs. q. CruSOr, L. johnson q
w. Dutton. and Woodward, Of the iail puard
acting as the pail bearers.
The followingvas
ThE DECISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
on tne application for executive clemency in the
case Of Johnson:
decline to interfere in this case. Whether
or not Johnson's mental condition at the time
oil the killing was such as 10 make him irrespon-
siole LOT the crime is a question that was pasSeI
upon by the jHry in their verdict, and again BY
the court upon motion for a new trial.
AppNcatiOn is now made TO me to re view these
9ecIslons or the court and jury, and to ind thai
johnson was not competent to commit the
crime OF which he is convicted. Some ex psrte
statements and afidavits are filed showing Thai
he was OF low order of intellect but il is bar5
~ pretended that he was insane at the time OF
the killing. Admitting that he had intelligence
enough 10 understand the nature 81 this act
ana II is not TO be denied that he is guilty of a
most atrocious murder, 1 satisfied tina,
Johnson was exasperated bv the i'll conduct of
ms wife, and killed her on that account with a
reckless disregard of consequences to himself
a 81 "a the law against murder is of but little avail
GEORGE II. WILLIAMS. Attorney General.
he HOLIDAYS are rapidly approaching, and
al are on the qui vive for handsome and accent
tple presents. There Is no place where so large
anu ceslIaDle variety can be seen as At the
EVERY store of Mr.. Prigg, No. 457 Penusyl.
Gania avenue. He has perfected his arrange
nents, and has now in store superb variety of |
iaska diamonds set in gold clusters. solitaire.
md pendants, Whitby jets, with bracelets. |
ockets, necklaces, cOrOnets. and hair.pins 70 |
match; plated sets with gold fringe, chains |
bracelets, and fine French gilt Of the most rars |
IND exquisite desg studs, scarf pins. spiraIs
lngs, ana chalns for gentlemen, aud his stock !
u useful and or -a rtai articles such as vasas
nronos, bashe: Jackets, and hundreds o. !
ther Al '"ics, IL unsurpassed at any establish
nent i'm Washington. Strangers aud citizens /
hould not fail to call anu Examine the eX-
eBsive assortment Of goods at the store o. |
dr. PIgg, which is every day repIenished By !
novelties.