National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-02
HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
An Interview With Stone, the Con-
demned Murderer.
Preparations for the Execution To-day-Re.
marlSable Composure of stone-He snys
that He is tho Coolest Man In the
JAN - History of the Crime
for Which He is to be
Hanged, Etc, Etc.
The Condemned Man,

lne mhus
Everything is in readiness at the jail for the
execution Of James Madison Wyatt Stone, cou.
victed of wife-murder last September, and,
after several postponements, sentenced TO be
hanged to-day. The gallows, which is located
in an incloscd space at the northeast corner of
the Jail building, is about twenty feet high,
aud has platform ten feet square and drop
OF about Ave feet. The rope, to which
trigger is attached is concealed after leaving
the gallows in a square bex running into the
kitchen, and it is from this point that the trap
will be sprung. Probably the coolest man ut
the Jail is Stone. He seems entirely indiifer-
ont to his fate and claims TO be ready to die.
Yesterday morning he walked out into the
rOtunda, and crossing over to the window
through which a view Of the scafiod could be
obtained, pulled aside the blue curtain and
remarked: THE Government Is going to n
great deal Of unnecessary expense for me-"
Thinking this might mean that he would
take his own life, ono of tho guards asked
him If he intended to commit suicide. His
reply was that no one need fear his taking his
life; it belonged to God, and when he was ready
for 1t he would take It, Last Wednesday
night the prisoner slept souudy, waking up
about O'clock yesterday morning. The two
hours intervening before breakfast he occupied
in reading the Scriptures aud humming over
several hymns. At 8 o'clock lie ordered somo
poached eggs broiled beelsteak, bread and
coffee, and ate with Il relish. Soon after visit
OTIS CNilcu uulOng WHOM were MS COUNSEL,
Mr.. 4. X. Browne, and wife, Rev. Drs. Rankin
and Grmke and two colorcd Baptists Messrs.
White and Scott. lie was kept busy talking
to his friends until nearly 3 o'clock, an hour
after the regular dinner hour, aud whom this
discovery was made he hurriedly ordered
some spring chicken and other delcaciGs, say
ing that lie had not been so hungry for
month. In fact the prisoner seems more con-
cerned about his food and the manner in which
it Is cooked than anything else After dinner
he remained in his cell until about 8 o'clock,
when lie expressed desire to take q bath, and
his wish was gratifed. 1t was after INDUCING
in his additions that a representative Of The
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN was allowed to talk
with him.
Considerable difficulty was experienced at
first, Stone stating that he was tired Of talk
ing, and did not wish to be disturbed, Finally
the heavy iron cato was opened, and the scribe
was in the corridor locked in. The first cell
on the left side, south wing, was ascertained to
be Stones quarters. He YVES sitting on a low
stool dividing his time between badly dam
. aged cigar and newspaper. He was in his
/ shirt sleeves and wore black pants and Il pair
= Of heavy shoes. He had been shaved clean
about the neck and chin, but retained his
1 moustache and side whiskers Upon being
} told that he was looking well he smiled and
,, said, 81 was never better in my life. Why,
have gained over twenty pounds since /
came here, and my appetite Is q growing one.
| suppose you want to interview re. Well, /
am all ready TO go, for l have made my
peace With Jesus" "Have you any state
ment to make 2" asked the THE REPUBLI.
. CANS representative. 81 will havo about a
y dozen words to say on tho scafod, not more.
These are my last and darkest hours, but they
} are the most blessed. Even this cell is a para.
disc, for Jesus is with me-" A pause ensucd,
which was broken by Stone saying, you wero
- waiting for Inc to say something, l am perfectly
willing to leave this world of sin and 20 home
= to my Saviour. have no feeling hut love for
every human being in the world" Then
breaking of abruptly, by the way, when yon
were here short time ago told you some
day ! would tell you how to spell my wife'a
first name. She was named Alvuerta Pitcher
when / married her, but was in the habit oil
calling herself Mrs. Morton Quals, and by this
man she had two children, although she was
never married to him. l did not know this At
the time. rs she told me he was her cousin
Why, on ono occasion Ipaid money to get him out
of Jail. You know this boy jerry Pitcher that
was convicted ofrape? Well, he is her brother. -
Here the cigar proved too troublesome and he
hailed one of the prisoners going by with Q
bucket of water, and said, Here, Jim
put this stogie in your mouth Nnd
lighted aud Stone resumed: None of yor
press people will be here tomorrow, at leas
have been told So" Upon being informed
that General Croker had made arrangement
for tho press he said do you know who j
coming from the Associated Press hope i
8, will be Mr.. Ally Mudd. ! was in the SAINT
Office with him. An interview with me TO
morrow night would make good reading, bu
| shall be in glory and out OF the reach 0
newspapers. ] am very tired tonight afte
talking to so many people all day. why,
was so busy was an hour late for dinner
TO But it was good one, spring chicken and lot
,,, of Injuries and tea By the way, want
- cup of tea now, but will wait till you go befOr
| order it," Being asked what books thos
were on his bed he got up from his stool an'
brought them over to the cell door They ap
poared to have seen considerable service, an,
We consisted ola lcather.covered Bible, small red
ny covered book entitled "a Leaf from tho IRE
of Life" two pamphlets "The blood o
Jesus" yellow.covercd "Guide to HOli
ness" aud a wel-worn hymn-book M.
favorite hymn in this book" tapping the lat
ter, sis Are You Coming Homo Tonight ?
II ere are two good ones Dear Jesus, / Lon
to be Perfectly Whole and Yield Not t
r. Temptation Here smy pet though" hold
We ing out the Bible. 81 think the incest thing
ever read are the nth, 2lst and 25th Psalms
9th chapter Of Matthew, 18th chapter of s
-" John and the last chapter of Revelations.
Turning suddenly 10 the representative of TIL
49, NATIoEAL REPUBLICAN,: Are you Christian
sir2 II not, promise me that you will try an
lead better life, aud meet me Heaven" i
reply to a question as to how he slept at nigh
no said, "Why, have nothing to trouble mt
lay down about o'clock every night, an
don't wake up till o'clock the next morning
| will sleep Us sound as ever tonight, and 90
a good breakfast in the morning. Evorybod
about tile Jail has been very kind to me, bu
my only comforter is Jesus. Don't 20
want TO stay at tho jail to.nightT "Whs
for" asked the scribe why, for con
+ pnnys sake. II am the happiest ma
- man 10 the jail tonight, There is no MOI
worry on my mind than there has been ic
. thirty.six years"
-. 1t was now time for putting out the light
;" in the Jail, and Stone, putting his han
through tho bars, grasped the scribe's hant
G$S00 which he shook heartily, and wishing bill
TX good night" retired to his cot. Before til
3'!5 outer door was unlocked Stone called out;
VIZ wont say goodbye to you until to-morro
SIS morning, Are you coming down An a
e.9 lrmative reply was returned, aud the int
s:Ii view was ut an end.
$40 The execution will be conducted In 81
g Es5 most private manner, and large detail
III police will DO stationed outside of the inclo
ure to keep away the crowd which Is o
err pectcd. The warden Of tho Jail, Genor
Croker, has issued about two dozen inyt
,.,o lions, Of which the following Is a copy
''' WARDES's OFFICE UNITED STATES JAIL, /
800 WASHINGTON, u, c., March ~, 1850