The New York herald., 1874-12-14
THE QUEENS COUNTY MURDER

Jarvis and Jackson, the Negro Murder
ers, Preparing for Eternity-How Jar
Wis Will sRattls the Roof" with
Prayer.
On the 18th Of next January Lewis Jarvis and
Ebert Jackson will be hanged at the Queens
County JAN, Tor the murder OF samuel Jones At
oyster Bay. Both the culprits are negroes who
were formerly in the employ OF Mr.. Jones and
who had always borne bad character, especially
Jarvis, who Is suspected OF being the chief OF an
organized band or negro thieves and horse steal
ers. Their vicious career eliminated on the 27th
OF June, 1873 when Mr.. Jones, old man OF eighty
years Of age. was brutally murdered and thrown
down we'll Suspicion at once fell upon these
two men, and they were arrested, only
to be discharged by the Coroner after the inquest.
Jackson was then arrested by Deputy Sheriff Ben.
nett OF Jamaica, and while confined at that place
made full confession, denying, however that he
was an active participant In the crime. Accord.
Ing to his statement he and Jarvis were to rem.
devious near jones' house, at q certain hour In
the evening. Ae Jackson) was late at the place
OF meeting and met Jarvis coming from the
house. loaded with plunder after disposing OF his
victim. Jarvis was then arrested, and on the S0th
OF November was convicted. The next day he
was placed In the witness box, and through his
evidence Jackson also convicted as the princi-
pal in the crime. After the trial both OF the
prisoners stated that If they chose they could I'M
picate many others in different ofrences and 1t is
hoped by the authorities that before their execu.
tion they will make some statements leading to
the apprehension Of some OF the gang. HERALD
reporter yesterday called upon Mr.. Bennett the
Deputy sheriff at Jamaica. aid through his kind.
ness received permit TO visit
THE CONDEMNED MEN.
The prisoners are confined In adjoining cells on
the ground floor OF the jail, and extraordinary
precautions are taken against their escape. The
jail is OF wood, and is nearly one hundred years
old. Prisoners have frequently escaped, but in
the case OF the two murderers now under
sentence there Is apparently no possible chance.
The cells are OF neayy stone work, opening INTO
watch. TINS corridor Is separated rom the main
hall by a massive door, The first one visited was
Jarvis, VINO came readily to The grating of MS
cell and at once entered into conversation. Sew
eral questions were put to him relative to his trial
Iairly conducted and that he deserved his fate.
.'But, thank the Lord" said he, 'lve got re-
liGlon ana am oo,xa ro o,onv
i expect to make every snlDgle in this old house
rattle with pray Ell before the day comes. wish
could go among the other prisoners and pray
with them, as | believe ] could convert
them all" jarvis religious zeal has come upon
Mm only since his sentence. and he has had the
benefit OF spiritual advice from several clergy men,
He never been refr actOry. but said the day he
was convicted that there was only one more per-
son he wished to KILL and that was his wife. She
came see him once and stated very emphatl-
cay tnat she would not 20 into his cell for $1,000,
ever he seems completely changed and Is per-
1ectly resigned. He Is very ignorant and can
neither read nor write. he iS constantly singing
and praying, ana, as lar as can be juOged
outwardly, Is truly penitent and ready to
die. In appearance he Is muat.0 OF about fifty,
stamped upon his face tnat one would not be
likely to forget For years he has held almost un-
bounded sway over the negroes OF mis- vicinity, so
much 50 as to get the slang cognomen or the
'KING NIGGER."
His confederate, Jackson, Is apparently very
twenty-iour years Of age and Is not 50 resigned
to his tate, though he appears calm aud SELF
possessed. He said 10 the reporter:--'l have not
got religion hard and fast yet but am trying my
best, and believe | shall be all right before
] die.u Like JARVIS he Is entirely ignorant.
He is q good-ook.ng man, with rather an inteili-
gent Iace, and II Is generally believed tuat he was
led away and ruined by his accompllce, who, by
the way, Is his halt brother Botn the prisoners
are anxious 10 have clergynen visit them, and
every visitor Is earnestly begged to pray Tor their
SOUS. They are perfectly caim though Jackson Is
somewhat downcast and inclined to be tactturn.
sTHE EXECUTION
viii take place in the Jalyard, which is q small,
curved enclosure, extending around two sides or
tue building. 1t Is TO be strictly private, aud In
iact very lew spectators be accommodated.
Tue lasI person VINO suffered tue penalty or
death In Queens county was Thomas Atchison.
who was hanged March 13, 1853, for the murder OF
! Philip Vooris
Ia the court room above the jail are preserved
the stones and chopping block that Jarvis hurled
upon Jones after he had thrown him down the
well. The weapon used TO stun his victim was a
heavy club. fhe feeling In the vicinity is very
| bitter against the condemned men. No sympathy
lyuching them are freely made case OF any in
\ ference with the course OF the law.