National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-06-17
James Peyton and Louisa Wallace.


The President having considered favorably
the applications for Communication of sentence
In the cases of james Peyton, the murderer of
Jacob Day, aud Louisa Wallace, convicted of
infanticide, both Of whom were sentenced to be
hanged next Friday, the usual for" of procla.
nations were prepared at the State Department
yesterday afternoon and will, after receiving
the signatures of the President and the Secre-
tary Of State, he transmitted to the local Off
ciuls probably to-day. The sentence of James
PeytOn is committed to imprisonment for life
ut hard labor in the Albany penitentiary and
that of Louisa Wallace TO Imprisonment Mt hard
labor In the Albany pGnitentiary for ten years.
In the case Of the woman the reasons for max
ing the term Of imprisonment only ten years
is that she j. now iorty-iivc years of age and
not intelligent enough to comprehend the
euormity of her crime.
AT THE JAIL.
When Warden Croker marched into the cell
of the condemned murderer. James Pcyton,
yesterday morning between ten and eleven
o'clock, the latter had evidently made mp his
mind that next Friday would terminate his
existence, for he wore a very detected look.
Upon being Informed that the President had
concluded to commute his sentence to imptis-
onmcut for life Peyton could no: realize at first
that the news was true. But the gIllows p
NC Easltu. w Ill DC HnlSncN, taken apart, Hnu
Put away for future use" smilingly replied
General CrOckcr.
This treasured him, and in few minutes his
manner changed and a joyous whistle re-
sounded throughout the corridor of cell No. .
iu Murderers Row." During the day he re.
ceived several congratulatOry visits from
friends.
1t is stated Officially" that when prepare.
tons were made last Thursday for the erection
of the galows Pcytom's frmncss deserted him
for the fist time. He had contended that his
sentence would be cOmmutcd, but the sound of
hammers and the usual preparations incident
to such an event were too strong TO be ON
batted
Tell me whether am to hang or not, for
] must begin to think about religion" he said
| Friday morning, after u restless, uneasy night.
The response to this question was that he
had better prepare for death, as the President
| declined to interfere.
| This news did not please him, and he has
| been i'll ut ease ever since. lie WAS unable to
sleep well and ate sparimgly. Bat the tidings
| yesterday changed everything, for the pris-
oncr thinks that If he behaves himself in the
ponitcntiary he will he pardoncd out. He re.
tired yesterday evening Mt seven o'clock and
almost Immediately fell into an easy slumber
! in which there was q marked absence of the
twitching Of the past week.
LOUISA WALLACE,
VINO was condemned to be executed the same
day rs Peyton, was not at all pleased with the
terms of her Communication.
WHY, thought was only to get two years,
she wbined.
Are you not pleased to know that you will
not be hung, Louisa? p
well, yes, of course but | think nv SEN
tence should have been made lighter"
This woman has known that she would moi
be hanged, and consequently has not troubled
herself with religion or its teachers.
She is uncontnunicative as Il rule, but very
tractablc. In fact, both prisoners have beer
very obedicnt," said Deputy Worlen McGill
They go Into their cells at four o'clock every
afternoon, and that is the last of them unit
morning. She sleeps well and eats her meal
as though she enjoyed them" The officers Il.
the Jail have been unremitting in their atten
tions TO the condemned, who speak in higl
terms OF them. The next party made up 70
Albany will probably comprise these tw
fends, and that will be the end of them.