Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-05
EXECUTION In MARYLAND.
Medford Waters Hanged.
ANOTHER IRISH ARREST.
RUSSIAN AssAssINs CAPTURED.
WALL STREET MARKETS.
THE GALLONS IN MARYLAND.
Execution of MedfOrd WaferS


ELKToN, Md, Dec. 5.-Preparations for the
execution to-day of Medford Waters, colored, is
years old, for the murder on November 10, 1873,
OF jenkins Whaley, colored, near Ceciton, in this
county, were completed this morning by the
erection OF scaffold on the almshouse proper
ty, three and half miles from town. Waters
was visited yesterday by Rev. Mr.. Williams and
other colored ministers, and his manner here
tofore Indifferent, was changed somewhat.
Since his sentence he has been visited in success
sion by Revs Ridgway and Smith, Methodist
ministers, and Rev. H. A. Skinner, Episcopal
clergyman, whose efforts seemed to have no
effect et1ec on him. More recently Revs. Benjamin
Samuel Scarr j. H. Manley and j. H. Collett'
colored ministers. have succeeded In making
him realize his situation, assisted by John Per.
some attachment The colored ministers left
him at ten O'Clock last night, and he retired,
but
HE WAS UNABLE TO SLEEP.
At o'clock this morning Mr.. Perkins went into
his cell and prayed with him until 6 O'Clock, the
prisoner sleeping little during that time. Mr..
Perkins left him at half past O'Clock. Revs. o.
H M1lliams and J: H. Collett, colored ministers,
visited him in his cell shortly after s o'clock,
and conducted religious services. The services
consisted of the reading Of the 23d Psalm, and
5th and 18th chapters of Revelations by Mr..
Collett, and singing the hymn, "I'll meet you
there's" after which Waters breakfast was
brought to him. He ate sparfngly, and smoked
cigar while the services were continued by
singing. Mr.. Perkins came In later and took
dressed for the gallows. During the exercises
he maintained stole demeanor, though while
at prayer he uttered an unintelligible appeal for
mercy. He was resigned, and said he had for
given everybody. James Wilmington, colored,
who had slept with Waters since his condemna-
tion, refused to stay in the cell last night, but
was present during the religious exercises this
morning.
EN- ROUTE TO THE sCAFFoLD.
At 9:45 services We're over, and the condemned,
after taking leave Of other prisoners, was taken
from his cell and placed in wagon with Sheriff
Boulder and two deputies, and started tor the
place OF execution The Groome Guards, forty
men, formed the guard. The crowd at the Jail
The procession moved out to Cherry Hill, the
point where the gallows had been erected. Here
the crowd numbered about 1000 persons con-
sistng principally Of farmers from the adjoining
country. Very few negroes were present, that
class seeming to take little interest In the exc
were commenced on the scaffold, and occupied
80 minutes. The service consisted of reading
the Scripture, singing 81 Am Born to Die" and
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul" in which the pris-
oner joined. After prayer by Mr.. Perkins,
WATERS MADE AN ADDRESS
He said: ':My dear friends, do you see what
condition am in? But thank God, am able to
say, with clear conscience, that God has par
dOned me. Never let your angry passions over
come you as mine did me. 1 trust you may
never be where am. May God bless you and
stand by you to eternity. May God receive my
soul, through Jesus Christ, my redeemer
Amen.'
DEATH BY THE ROPE.
The black cap was put over his head and the
moose adjusted. There being some delay in
lengthening the rope, at Waters own request
he remained standing on the drop, exhibiting
great f1rmness and called out, Don't none Of
you ever take this pattern. Keep out OF it,
He thanked the sheriff and cried out several
Good byes" to the crowd and for his fellow
prisoners. The drop fell at 11:35 The fall was
six feet and his. death was easy.
This is the first public execution in this county
since 1856. The body was buried near the scat
fold.