National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-06-11
THE CONDEMNED MAN.
lanes Peyton Confident that He viii
be Saved.
lie Stili Declares His Innocence-So Prepar-
ations Made Yet for the Execution Next
Woek-Eforts Made to Obtain
Communication of the Sentence
Spiritual Advisers Not
Encouraged, sc.

Sentenced TO be Hanged on the goth Instant.
Strenuous efforts are being made to have the
sentence of James Pcyton, convicted of the
murder of Jacob Day the 9TH Of last Deem.
Der, committed to imprisonment for life, in.
stead Of being made to suffer death by hang.
ing the Goth instant. The prisoner thus far
has shown himself utterly unconcerned about
his approaching fate, for nc seems pretty Ger.
tain that he will not DO hung. ITo has de.
clined to have any spiritual advisers, although
Rev. DR.. Harkins, of tho Second Baptist
Church, has paid him a visit once or twice.
His anxiety about his souls welfare was not
sufficient TO encourage u minister's visit, and
Tor three weeks past none have been near him.
lie still holds to his first statement, made the
night OF the murder, that Pete" Lewis COM
mtted the deed,
In talk yesterday Pcyton said that he was
born in Battletown, Va, in July, 1857. When
very young he was brought TO Washington aud
sold to Mr.. NJ. II. Stevens. While n slave he
learned the trade of painter, and claims that
he Is now member of that craft. His parents
died when he was a small boy, aud his only
living relation is a great.grandmother, eighty
years old. When asked whether lie had n
hand in the killing of Day, he replied, II am
innocent of the crime of murder, and if / am
innocent man before his Maker. However,
there is no use Srieving about the matter. l
am ready to 90. Knowing that am innocent
do not fear to die. Had been rich man
could have got or and Pete Lewis would be
WHERE am to-day. But no had money and
his wife knew where to use it," He claimed
that Sam Patch and other witnesses who sti.
fed against him knew that Lewis WAS the
guilty party, but dared not say 80.
The officials at the Jail state that no writ oil
execution has been received by them, and con,
sequently no preparations have been made fol
hanging. The scatIold upon which several
| murdercrs were executed was burned last win
| ter, but the material necessary for building 9
new one have boon procured but II is not in
tended especially for Peyton. The rope, which
is usually soapod and tested ut least tire,
weeks before an execution comes off, has no
| been bought yet. 1t seems to be the genera
impression that Peytons sentence would bt
committed or reprievo granted. If his appea
is dismissed the preparations 10 carry out til,
| decision OF the court will not take much time
| \ number of Peyton's friends visit him nearl,
every day, and he always appears il
good spirits, laughing and joking will
his visitors, apparently the most un
concerned member of the party. He take
great pride in his outward appearance, hi
| shoes being BACKED every morning, cloai
shirt and collar donned, and altogether he i
very neat in his person. The condemned ma,
is about five feet six inches in height, ligh
complexioned, wears slight moustache, ant
has broad face and full, thick lips. No on
unaware of his condition would think iron
his actions that he has only ten more days lof
him to live.
The cell in which Pcyton is confined Is tn
second ono in what is termed Murderer
Row." his next neighbor being Stone, VIII
killed his wife by cutting her throat with
razor last October