The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-28

SELF with remarkable GOODNESS, with the exception
OF slight ATTEMPT at the insanity dodge, by pre-
tending TO mediate suicide and which was so sue
cessul as to induce few credulous people to petit
ton for an investigation by commission TO test
his sanity, and which resulted, as every sensible
person at all acquainted with the facts believed 1t
would, in pronouncing him sane
THE DOOMED MAN IN HIS CELL.
On Thursday evening HERALD reporter visited
the doomed man in his cell at the jail. He was
found In the thirdcel OF the row after entering the
corridor, and it bore the number 25. The whole ap
pearancc inside was the pink OF neatness, and the
tasty manner In which the few articles OF furniture
allowed were made 10 accommodate themselves to
the limited space, the selection OF pictures on the
walls, and the arrangement upon the table OF sew
eral bouquets OF beautiful flowers, sent in by KIND
friends suggested the possession OF finer qualities
OF mind than those which are usually associated
with the coarse and brutal nature OF a murderer
Upon stool near the grated door, and smoking
fine Havana, sat Smith, the doomed man, the last
chance OF Communication reprleve vanished, and
the hours OF hfs life on this earth nearly numbered
Apparently wholly Indifferent as to his late, re-
CARELESS OF his last approaching end, quietly smok.
be the condemned murderer Entering into con-
versati0n he talked freely concerning
its varying fortunes the circumstances leading to
and connected with the murder and his approach
ing DOOM Most OF all, he liked to talk OF the girl
Jennie, to whom he still seemed devotedly at
tached. Bringing out her picture, he remarked.
al take O deal OF comfort from that picture; for
weeks nave mot gene TO oea nfss
to the question OF the murder he would. profess
that 1t was all blank to him, but when the subject
it, relating all the circumstances with scrupulous
accuracy. or his approaching doom he seemed
die as he was born and had ived-with q smile on
his face. Once, anc once only when brought by
direct question to the subject OF his approaching
end, he showed
SIGNS OF WEAKENING.
The ringers OF his left hand twitched nervously
at his pantaloons, his right hand played excitedly
ceptibly. But the giving way was slight and only
for moment. Speedily and without apparent
entire absence OF any braggadocio and he was
soon talking freely upon some other topic. He
spoke, laughingy OF the accounts 81 himself which
he had read In the daily papers, joked upon the
they had made ana acsed much as though
he expected to wake up Saturday and read the ac-
count OF his execution in the daily papers. He ex-
pressed himself as feeling no i'll will towards'any
one and mentioned with feeling the kind treat
ment he had received from the Sheriff and turnkey
OF the jail.
ONE OF HIS LAST LETTERS
The following is almost the last letter written by
the grade OF his intellect and indicating the sane
manner in which he could write upon SUBJECTS con-
nected with his crime and its punishment
- - : So. - SPRINGFIELD, June 10 1879
FRIEND GEoRcEYours Of the 4th came to my hand. It
aad begun mink YOU had FORGOTTEN me, but when
e as 'G %
speak this think i win be words Of battery Not
Issss' SIss n than amy mSss 'ss'
what keeps them away can't imagine, hi suppose
s s IS 1 nd w he Ms
was s sec see q ne me u
them bring some To-
than kind % me. lie came here. every day
'ef aad om ssoH saes ef
i
not see Combs before he vent sway but the fact is
Ss maj s 81 Ssss
a5 @a0 T ySarPs
would give me pleasure to hear from her, and tell her
to write soon, for have only few days to live; there
il. Jennie Bates is living in ". or not ! wish to
you can find it convenient Gooa9S b. From
o GEORGE am writing the history Of and cause Of the
crime. 1t will be in print but not in the paper but
HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH
Shortly alter six O'Clock the turnkey brought
Smith his supper from the Sherifrs table, from
doomed man ate about the same amount usual.
and with apparent relish, and then, lighting a
door and With his back towards the s Entrance Of
the hall. About seven O'Clock the door OF his cell
was opened then the door into the outer hall, and.
for the first time since his trial, the sentenced
murderer stood outside OF bolts and bars. He
was taken by the turnkey to the Sherifrs own
presence
REV. Mr.. Rice, Chaplain OF the jail, and Rev. Messrs
Potter. Of the State street Baptist church, and
Stratton, of the Florence street Methodist church.
hymn, .Just AS AM" was given out, and all
joined In the singing, Smiths voice sounding clear
Of : whc e rd
while Messrs. Potter and Stratton offered PRAYER
All then shook hands with Smith and babe him
smile upon his lips, walked back to his cell.
Hardly had he resumed bis seat and his cigar be-
fore another. caller was announced, and the next
hour and a half was spent in conversation with a.
reporter, while an assistant took shorthand notes.
During this time his manner was much as it has
been since his conviction. He talked freely and
speaking somewhat rapidly as lie got
interested in his own talk, and-as always-getting
q little excited when speaking OF 1.-THE girl"
A BENEVOLENT MURDERER.
At length these departed, but only for brief Pc
Rod was he left to himself. Two or three persons
for all he had smile, shake of the hand and
a pleasant word, or, as he has repeatedly ex-
pressed it, .using everybody who stops at my cell
the Sheriff and hisiwfe, who have been unremittng
in their kind attentions, and towards whom he
always do deep made him
Interview. was somewhat emotional, but the ex-
hibition OF feeling was on their side and his only
about his near execution than he did himself.
After their departure he resumed his
cigar, which .,o had been laid aside while
for the next who soon came. This time
1t was reporter whom Smith had sent for and
to whom he wanted to make last statement to
the public Of Springfield and Westfeld. This was
short, and simply return Of thanks for tine favors
shown him since his conviction, and a declaration
that he was
FULLY PREPARED TO DIE,
After 1t was finished and read to him he seemed
to be much pleased, and said, with an earnest
voice, II am glad the public will know just how
fcel.n He then spoke leengly OF the Kind treat
ment he had received ct the jail, and said he
wished he might thank the donors Of the flowers
which adorned his cell, some Of whom had not
even told him their names. His caller then
arose to 60, and Smith, shaking him cordially by
the hand said, "Well, suppose shant see you
again alive Goodby.n This was his last caller for
the night, and at exactly twelve O'Clock, remark
ing to the turnkey that he was sleepy, he read
portion OF scripture, placed the picture OF the girl
in It's accustomed place under his pillow, offered
h rn I ana soun a sIp
watch outside.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXECUTION.
The making OF the arrangements lor the execu-
ton has been the occasion OF no small amount of