The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-20
How William Fosters Fate
Closes About Him.
ONE MORE DAY OF LIFE.
The Devoted Wife and the Felon Husband
Photographs Of the Little Ones-sheriR
Brennan Tells the Prisoner Of the FL
nal "No"-Foster's Visitors-A
Crowd Of Gaping Criminals.
THE SCAFFOLD TO Be ERECTED TO-DAY.

So think nearly all the friends OF the doomed
man, william Foster, who is tomorrow to expiate
the greatest OF crimes by the severest penalty
under control OF man. And In all this great CON-
munity there IL probably no one but the prisoner
himself who thinks otherwise. II he has reln-
pushed his expectation Of Executive cemency, he
fails to show 1t in his physical demeanor. He
passed day Of tOerable quiet yesterday, notwith-
standing the knell which sounded In his unwilling
ear when Sheriff Brennan about four O'Clock an
nounced to him that the Governor had declined to
intcrpose his prerogative of mercy even upon the
last appeal-the petition Of the seven stultlned
jurymen.
The prisoners wife, model OF dcvotedness and
attention to the unfortunate husband OF whose
misfortune she herocally bears part, though in
nocent OF It's cause, was the
FIRST TO VISIT HIN.
She arrived shortly after nine O'Clock and re-
manned with him in converse and wifely ministra-
zion until late last night, and veteran prison Oli-
Gals have but one remark In relation to herr
'She is wife among million-I am sorry for
her."
Fosters father next called upon him, ana re-
NAMED with him a short time; and next came
Rev. DR.. Tying. his PASTOR who was with him from
two o'clock till three. Shortly after DR.. Tyng's
departure Fosters sister, modest, ladyllke young
woman, visited her unhappy brother, accompanied
by her husband, and her presence must have
proved pleasant relief indeed to Mrs. Foster,
who has spent 80 many days in the grim corridor
and cell with so little that ID gentle in companion
ship or surroundings. Two three other relatives
and friends also came, with hearts full Of sympathy
alike for the fted victim OF tomorrow and for his
guiltess partner in sorrow.
Deputy Sherins Thomas ]. Cummins and Will
liam Ii. Burns were on watch duty from seven
O'Clock yesterday morning until seven O'Clock last
night During the morning photographer at
tended at the request of the prisoners wife to
take
FOSTERS PORTRAIT
The prisoner was removed from the prison
building accompanied by the deputies to room
in the Centre street lace of the building, where the
requisite light was ObtainabIe and here, after five
sttings, two satisfactory portraits were obtained
one iull-face d and the other profile. The window
OF the apartment was open at the time and Fos-
ter looked with singular and deep meaning in
terest at the busy sights and registering groups OF
1t was his last glimpse OF the bright world out
side the sombre gray confines OF the prison. lie
was then returned to the corridor.
'.That is the first time l have had my picture
taken in sixteen years." said Foster to Deputy
Burns.
At the request of the prisoner Mrs. Foster yester-
day brought MIN the portraits OF his two little
sons, aged respectively about five and seven years.
They are
BRIGHT, PRETTY LITTLE CHERUBs,
attred with taste that shows the care and
prisoner looked at the photographs many times,
and must have felt deeply the heritage OF bitter
ness he bequeaths them. He has Jour children In
all, but they not taken to the prison to
their father. lie says he has no desire that what
ever recollection they may retain OF him In the
alter years shall be marred by "reminiscences OF
grated doors, or the sombre gray gloom of prison
walls
the scanold, was in the prison yesterday morning
and engaged in conversation with Foster Ter some
time The interview took place IN the prisoners
cell, as did also that between the prisoner and
A THIRD CLERGYMAN,
O tall dark-skinned gentleman, whose name was
unknown to the deputies, also conversed with
Foster during the afternoon.
The prisoner spends the greater portion OF the
day in the corridor outside his cell, where group
or three or four armchairs are placed for the ae-
cemmOdation of himself aud his family and friends
Foster was attired yesterday IN SUIT Of dark
clothing and wore a hat OF the deerstalker pattern.
HIS conversations with his relatives and friends,
and occasionally with his Keepers were carried on
with quiet, earnest manner, put he well conceals
every indication OF lear or depression. He is calm
and sedate, without any sullenness or betrayal OF
At four O'Clock Sheriff Brennan, accompanied by
Warden Johnston called on him. and the Sheriff
broke as gently as possible to Mrs. Foster the in
telligence that the Governor had again declined to
interfere. The news was intended for Mrs. Foster
only, but the condemned man overheard 1t and
81 telegraphed to the Governor today" said
the sheriff, asking him II he had anything further
ton, and he answered Inc back with
THE SIMPLE WORD NO.
That is all lie said in reply"
Foster said nothing. His eyes dropped and his
head dropped slightly forward. He betrayed no
surprise. But his good, true wife iclt pang that
she does not deserve to suffer.
The Sheriff remained lew minutes longer, shook
hands with Foster and left. Ii the time Of re-
Taxation with the prisoners, when their cell doors
are unlocked, and they are permitted to walk upon
the galleries OF the upper tiers OF cells in the cor
ridor.
OF the fist tier King the murderer OF ONeill, sat
talking to Simmons, the man who hacked Nick
Duryea to pieces in Liberty street. Robert Bleak
ley who shot his own niece, Maud Merrill, in Neil
son place, walked the long gallery with petuant
step and expression. Scannell, Tom Dononoe's
fateful Nemesis. leaned on the railing and ran his
fingers through his long, yelow-hued wlskers.
Sharkey, who sent pistol bullet through the heart
OF his whiiom 'crOncy,r jimmy Dunn, walked
calmly up and down the narrow walk and Rosen
zweie, the obese butcher OF Miss Bowlsby, dressed
IN sort of morning gown showed his round, ugly
head at the corner OF the bridge. They were all
looking downward to the ground floor, where
Foster, his trends and the officials stood, and d.
rectly over Fosters head the ratings OF the three
tiers of galleries were frlnged with the shaggy
heads and the brawny arms and shoulders OF two
or three dozen criminal pariahs, all intent upon
the scene below. BY and by there was
CEEAKING OF HINGES,
cank OF doors, the shuiling OF feet in the gale
ries diminished. and few minutes later the thugs
lover three hundred and nifty OF thcin were again
shut up in the solitude oil their cells.
The remainder OF the afternoon was quieter, and
Foster ana his group OF trends continued their
sad communion. his wife and sister, with bowed
heads, locked arms and aching hearts, pacing,
almost mOurnlully, the distant portion OF the
corridor
LAST NIGHT,
at seven O'Clock, Deputy Sherfs Cummins and
Burns were relieved by Deputies Baird aud CALI
gan who Will in turn be relieved at seven O'Clock
this morning. AS an instance OF the truth OF real
life that Is stranger than fiction, it may be men,
toned that Deputy Sheriff Bard who watched the
prisoner last nlghtmthe last night but one for
Nun OF llie-was years ago playmate OF the now
doomed man, and has known HIM Tor twenty-eIght
years.
This morning the erection OF the scaffod will be
commenced, and the final preparations for the ex-
ecution viii be completed by sunset 1t rs proba-
BILE that the last scene VIII be developed between
hsfpast nine and halfpast ten O'Clock tomorrow
morning
The Governors Final Answer.
The Governor has received despatch IRON
Sheriff Brennan. asking him II he had any further