Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-02
SECOND edition,
A GALLOWS HORROR,
STONE BEHEADED!
HIS HEAD TORN FROM HIS BODY.
THE CRIME FOR WHICH HE DIED.
A WIFE CRUELTY MURDERED.

James Madison Wyatt Stone was executed
this afternoon in the yard OF the jail of this Dis
trict, and was literally beheaded, as related be-
low, his head being jerked from his body by the
drop intended to dislocate his neck.
STONES CAREER.
Stone was quite we'll known in this city, hav-
Ing for number Of years acted as messenger
for Mr.. Goor1ght, the agent of the New YORK
Associated Press. He was a bright yellow man,
native of Westbrook, Me-, about SIS years OF
age. about feet inches in height and weigheT
about $50 pounds when committed, but had
added 20 pounds more to his weight during his
imprisonment. He worked in Maine, farming at
North Yarmouth, Bethel and other places. Be
had some knowledge of steam engineering, and
worked several years running stationary en-
glne IN Virginia, and came to this city about
years ago. ard as above stated he was for some
time employed by the Associated Press and
then for some time, in connection with a col
ored man named Marshall. he conducted res
taurant near the Baltimore and OAio railroad
depot.
for which Stone was executed was frlghtfHl
hlnfdef-one of the most atrOciouS which has
ever been perpetrated in this District. Some
four years before he married colored woman
named Alberta Pitcher Before her marriage
with him she had given birth TO two children
and after her marriage she insisted on living
with her sister, Lavlnia Pitcher, whom Stone
accused OF leading his wife away from him
They had had frequent quarrelS before the fatal
occurrence, and on the night in question Sat
urday, October 5th, 1sIS,) he went to the house
where his wife was staying with her two chill
dren and siSter-No 1141 18th street. Bursting
open the door he attacked his wite's sister, who
seeing the open razor Ia his hand, ran out into
the yar6. Selling her he inflicted a terrible
cash On her throat. His wife was up stairs. and
hearing her sisters screams she FASTENED down
and started for the yard, but met Stone in the
back room with the razor in his hand, and he at
ohce attacked her, inflicting a number OF
wounds On her throat, seyering the jugular vein
ahd the wlndpipe he then made his escape
from the house. Both women started after
him, the blood flowing In large SpurtS from the
wounds. but they fell in front Of the house. The
Wlfe 0led few hours after the wounds were in
flcted. but the sister recovered Stone was
pursued by some of the neighbors. and was
turned over to Officers Hess and Burrows.
THE TRIAL.
Ihe prisoners case was called for trial at the
following DecembeD term of the Criminal
Court, and his counsel, Major Sweet, (naying
failed TO secure pOstponement to enable him
to procure testimony from Maine going to show
that the prisoner was OF unSOund mind from the
effects OF blow he received ON the head when
boy withdrew from the case. Other counsel
Messfs. A. K. Browne and Prof. X. I. Greener
1t was not until last fall that trial was reached
and verdict Of guilty was rendered and the
prisoner was sentenced to be hung on December
10th last. Exceptions were taken during the
trial on which the case went to the Supreme
Court OF the District, but before it was reached
IN that court the day fixed for the execution
was SO near that after the affirming OF the ludg-
ment OF Judge Hagner. the prisoner was again
brought up, and the time for the execution
OF the sentence extended 10 Friday, February
alth; The President on representation that the
tohdemned . man was not ready for death ex-
tended the time to March 26th. Subsequently.
10 10 consequence OF this day being Good Friday.
PRESIDENT Hayes again reSpited him for week
HIS LIFE IN PRISON.
,,, ne had some little education, and after his
imprisonment he spent much OF his time in
read1ng aId writing Shortly after his conyic-
tlon he claimed to have made his peace with
Sod ana 10 be resigned 10 whatever fate awaited
ecutlon for some weeks and had talked as readi-
~ ABOUT the gallowS as on any common place
subject He frequently wrote to his counsel.
t Mr. browne. who stuck to him to the last and
10 whose EFFORTS the procurement OF respites
from december 26th to the day first set for
his execution are due. On one occasion when
sisted that his counsel should see the scaffold.
and taking him to the window explained to him
1,1DS now II worked pointing to the trap and re-
marking: There's where III stand, and I'll fall
through it," Indeed he showed SO little signs
OF fear that some have thought that he was
perfectly caiiouS or Indifferent on the subject
Out OUT II mas been observed that at times there
was certain pathos about his voice and mois-
tufe In his eyes, indicating tnat he realized his
situation. In Maine he attended the Congre-
gatfonal church, but until he was committed to
jan hele he bestowed but little thought on
Ienglous matters. Rev. DR.. Rankin of the Con-
gregatlonal church. and Rev. VIM. Gibbons, a
coored 9'Ia, Baptist minister, have been frequent
VlSltorS 10 llm for some weeks past.
HIS LAST LETTERS.
stone yesterday was in comparatively good
spirits, and In his conversation there was 70
During the morning he was engaged In reading
Select1ons OF Scripture and IN writing to some OF
his friends In letter to Mr.. Browne. of his
counsel, he expressed his gratitude for working
for him without a fee. and says: ''Sir, truly
open my heart In gratitude to you for all your
kindness, and may the Lord reward you for it.
dSo mo" ctose, @ and pray that we may meet in Para
Gfeener and Mr.. Townsend for their services
with that love that one man cannon extend tn
another without the assistance OF God" !" he adds:
ana ROW let Inc say word to my enemies IL
nave any. hope have none. To every thing
on the earth all persons, ii there are any that
ma nave V, WTro9ngsd truly ask forgiveness. have
tue world" W
Mrs. Cyfene E. Browne he addresses as ..Kind
FRIEND ana says: Il also owe you great kind
my behatt. remember the distance that you
came to help to save my life if it was possible.
ana what you presented In my behalf being true, |
rOt 1alse as some pretend to say or think for |
know that you are lady TOO well known from |
your cElidho0d TO the present moment to think |
[ nat you would present anything but what was !
tfue I remember years ago how your dear |
me ana how tried to go by it, and know that |
l have always tried to do what was right as |
htaI as conlo ! thank you with all my heart |
ano all or my kind friends in Maine and every |
" mere l know well if it had not been for my |
couhsei and you would have been gone long |
aso. 80 VIII close with all gratitude TO you
lof your 1ree Will Offering"
THE PRISONER WAS VISITED
Oy MIS- browne yesterday, who took her final
.efiVe OF him. Both were much affected Mrs |
Browne was formerly Mrs. Dunn. of Maine,
lof whose husband Stone worked some time.
and VINO states that while there he conducted
hiMsel1 III an unexcepttOnable manner with |
Ihe exception that at times he would get into |
an uncomfortable passion. It Will be remefn |
oeTeu that the result OF the acquaintance formed |
.hfough Mr. Browne being Stones counsel
lnaliy illuminated In Mrs. Dunn becoming Mrs |
Browne. Before she left Stone YESTERDAY he |
made request of her that Mr.. Browne Should |
see that his remains were inferred beside those
II his wife, In the Young Mems burial oround
)ut 14tn street, which she promised to do
MI. Browne also had an interview with tha |
prisoner and found him bearing up manf1iIv
md able to speak calmly OF the prenarations. |
or his death. He repeated his re0uesf a1o,1f
his burial to Mr.. Browne, and that penTleman !
promised that his wishes should be Carried onf
WRITTEN STATEMENT FROM STONE
TO Mr. Browne he handed the following.
"AprH LIST, 1SS0.-Aa expect this fs the ,ast |
writing l shall do In this world wish IN ~ Gov i
hat all have said before about NOT knowing
n the night OF that fatal event. what iid iS
rue. / truly believe that there Was M Tnaspts-
Wing that loved their wives dearer than mvse1f
want the whole world to see this and to knnw |
Vhat say l VIII say had been shown fIls. |
Ice would not have been Convicted BAL Was
Hagner ruled againstme In an points