Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-19

the prisoners, who afterwards spent over half
an hour In meditation, now and then singing
Nv hitter than snow" and other spiritual songs.
While this was going On the cOffinS were brought
In and placed Iear the ScafOld, but not 10
sight.
HOW TIE MEN WERE ATrIRED.
When the prisoners dressed they attired
themselves for the day-Bedford In a greyish
brown coat Urockl, grey pants and white shirt
away coat), white shirt and black tie few
minutes past II O'Clock Edward Queenan, a
brother OF Ned, arrived, but waited In the Office
some time for the arrival of his father and
mother, now living in Goat alley.
PRAYING FOR PINN.
AT l0:i5 o'clock Mr. Hudson, one of the guards
at Pinn's request, took him to see the two men,
and they both protested that they were inno-
cent and said they would pray for him (PInn),
and then getting on their knees they prayed
earnestly, calling God, who had permitted his
Son TO die an innocent death, to witness their
innocence.
THE PRESIDENT REFUSES TO INTRRPosE.
While these proceedings were In progress at
the jail, Chief Justice Cartier called on the
President in their behalf, but subsequently The
Attorney General dispatched messenger TO
the jail With word that the President would not
interfere. He arrived there at 1l:25 o'clock.
SCENES OUTSIDE THE JAIL.
AS early as o'clock parties gathered about
the jail anxious to get admission but the Off
GERS were tneXOrable, and only those with
passes were admitted. Some attempted to get
look at the scaffold from the outside but
failed as there was no opening from whence
view could be obtained. BY noon there were
over hundred outside waiting for the officials
TO relent, and anxious 10 hGar whether; .ha
prisoners had made any confession.
AT an early hour this morning the prisoners
In the cells on the east side Of the north wing
were all moved to the south side doubling up fn
many cases with the others.
QUEENAN SMOKING AND SINGING.
Queenan having asked for cigar about II :.
O'CLOCK lt Was gwen him and he enoyed tI
viii hlce me-"
PARTING SCENES.
At ll:4O o'clock MosSrs. COyiG and Wells had
a 1inal interview with the prisoners. and Bill
Queenan having heard that Ned desired to see
hiln, went and took leave OF him. Bedford held
Bits hand for some time, and begged him TO SO
live as 10 meet him In Heaven.
Gen. Crocker went to the cells OF the prisoners
and inquired II he could do anything for them
and they each expressed and wished that the
ministers should accompany them TO the scat
fold. Bedford then offered a tervent prayer.
QUEBNAN HAD DREAM
last night that he was Free and was living away
,er1e io1e distance nee from m here doing well In his H.
urged him # guilty not oe; to 60 away ana from Sl
anSusy expcns s Gs hs fsher hepgae snd meher me
but they did not put in an appearance Aite.
leaving the cell Bill remained in the rotunda
and talked with number of people about his
brother saying that If he was guilty
he would just as soon see him hung as his dog,
but lie was not sure that he was guilty. AS the
hour OF one approached the rotunda by some
means became well flled and there We're more
people than enough present TO I'LL the corridor
The two men continued singing 81 Am So
Happy In Jesus, Dear jesus Rev. MI Glib
bOnS standing near their cell door.
ASSERTING THEIR INNOCENCE TO THE LAST.
At minutes past one they sang, "Will Walk
Through the Valley In Peace and Bnl Queenan
took a goodbye OF his brother Bedford was
hrOnpht
menced TO sing, Pm SO glad, I'm going to die
an innocent man, while his arms were being
plnloned. When Queenan was called out he
exclaimed II am ready for you and have been
waiting for hall an hour: I'm going 10 die au
innocent man." They were led to the center OF
the building, where Gen. Crocker read the
OF the PreoideLt-to which they listened atten-
lively.
The March to Death.
The death warrant was rea1 at the cell, aud
then The procession formed as follows: The
warden, General J. s. Croker: the ministers,
Rev. Bishop Brown. Of the A. VI. f. Church;
Rev. William Gibbons, OF Mt. Zion aptiot
church. South Washington, aud R1y. J. u. :.
Had, OF Nit Zion n. +. Church, Georgetown:
the condemned men, tlanked Dy Mes5rs. Cole
CIocker, with Mir. DuttOn bringing up the rear.
On the ScafsOld.
At l:20 the procession reached the scaTold-
Bedford made slight halt and looked up at the
rope with smile on his face, an4 then with a
finn step ascended the steps. Queenan walked
up without stopping, with his eyes resting on
the beam. Mr. Gibbons at once gave out the
hymn, which was sung. the prisoners Joining
The Closing Scenes.
on the scafllOld Rev. Mr.. Gibbons gave out
the hymn, "Oh! for an Overcrowning Faith ;,
which was sung, and Rev. Mr.. Hall read selec-
tions of scripture-23d Psalm, 14th John and
1th Hebrews and Bishop Brown offered prayer.
DURING BISHOP BROWNS PRAYER
the prisoners seemed to Lose some OF their re.
ligious enthusiasm. and listened intently to
every word. The bishop Lmplored Gods for
giveness and His mercy on these two young
nifty and declared their innocence. They then
took their places on the platform and while
their legs were being pnioned,
BEDFORD ADDRESSED THE ASSEMBLY
saying that he was innocent; they had sworn
his life away falsely; but thank God. he was
going TO heaven They would tind after he was
gone that he was innocent He thanked God
that lie had spoken the truth.
QUEENAE SAID:
~ know nothing about this murder, and 1t will
be found out" He hoped all would meet him
the jail" Isome one on the stand checked h ed
him. He continued, saying: ''I'll bid you all
good66se; 6se,en and The hope to serae meet you
lead by Rev. Mr.. Hail.
The Fall of the Drop.
Rev. Mr.. Gibbons pronounced the benedlc-
ton, and as he said amen" the drop, at 1:35,
fell, Bedford on the left, and Queenan on the
right.
Queenan was somewhat affected while the
burial service was being read and gave way to
his feelings. Bedford died comparatively easy,
and the commissions, which were slight, ceased
ip about four minutes.
The necks Of both were broken by the fall,
which was about four feet. Queenan struggled
considerably: especially was the tWitchlng OF
the fingers noticed for five or more minutes.
Drs. Young McWllliams, Elliot and Van Ar
mum examined the bodies thirteen minutes
after the drop fell. When this examination was
being made 1t was thought tnat there was some
life In Bedford but ii was found that the tre-
NOR was caused by the vibrations of the struc-
tuIe. After hanging almost twenty minutes
the bodies were placed in the collins by the un-
dertaker, Mr.. j. X. Wright, and they
Will be kept until to morrow, and buried by the
Young Mems Christian Association (cOloredl In
their grounds.
There were, outside of officers about 300 per
sons In the building, and outside probably two
thousand at the time the drop fell.
SPOTS on HIS SLEEVE.
since the trial 1t has transpred that on the
night OF Queenan'S arrest, some one having
remarked that they had them (Queenan and
otherS dead to rights" be tQueenanl was
caught scrapiDg plastering from the walls OF
the police cell and rubbing 1t over some spots
on his coat sleeves.
PILGRIMS TO MENTOR.
The Political SituatlOn-SnOw