Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-02
SCRE OF HIS SOIL

This was the case With him, was patiently await
ing the call.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE INFERMENT.
The government allows In the case of execu-
tion the expenses of coffin. and the work was
entrusted to Mr. John r. Wright, undertaken.
who prepared handsome imitation rosewood
comm with glass face and six polished handles
condemned man were highly pleased. Mr. and
Mrs. Browne arranged for Carrying out the
wishes OF the condemned man, and arranged
mo o5 to De II vault for
his W1fe'S remains. There is an impression in
the community that the bodies of persons
hanged are preferred by the medical schools for
ceased took this precaution of placing the re-
mains in the vault, that it could not be used for
su ch purpose.
IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD ORDER.
A force of so mounted policemen were placed
On duty about the jail, with instructions to- pre-
vent any assembages of people In the neigh
oOrnood. large detail OF patrolmen were also
or duty in and about the building. The number
OF admissions to the building was limited In
consequence of the directions of the law officers
OF the government the requirements of the
statutes were compiled with strictly, not even
the members OF the press having any other
favor extended them than admission. with the
understanding that they should serve on the
Jury TO make return TO the court The law on
the subject Is found in the Revised Statutes re-
iatlng to the District OF Columbia, and is as fol-
lows:
Sec. 1893. Persons adjudged TO suffer death
sfaii ne executed Within the walls of some
prison ID the District, or within a yard or in
closure adjoining such prison, and not else
where.
Sec. 1.O94 1t shall be the duty of the warden.
OF one OF his deputies. with such officers OF the
PRISON. conStableS. and other peace officers as
The warden or deputy may deem necessary and
proper. TO attend at such execution.
Sec. 1,095. The warden, or his deputy, shall
invite the District attorney. the counsel OF the
prisoner, two or more physicians, and twelve
respectable physicians to be present at every
such execution; and at the request of the per-
son TO be executed shall also allow any OF his
near relatives. and any ministers OF the Gospel
not more than three, to be present.
sec. l.U96 NO persons other than those men,
toned In the two preceding iections. and no
person whatever under the age CT twenty-One
years shall be allowed TO witness any SUCH exc
cution.
The tickets of admission run in the following
form:
WARDEN's OFFICE, UNITED STATES JAIL,
WASHINGTON, d. c.. March 81. 1SS0.5
~. ------: SIR: You are respectfully in
Vlted to be present at this jail On Friday the "a
OF April next at IL O'Clock m.. to witness the
execution OF James Madison Wyatt Stone.
THE sCAFFoLD
was erected in the northeast area OF the Jail
yard, surrounded by a fence 16 feet high, en-
closing space 32 feet wide and 128 long. The
gallows Is new, with the exception OF the iron
work. which has been used on several previous
occasions. The scaffold is OF Georgia pine, the
uprghts being Of heavy timbe., and its dimen-
sions are:-Platfcrm, II feet square, 13 feet from
On the corners: The trap In the center is feet
square, and held Ia position by catch, worked
by line In a box leading into the building
where it is pulled by an unseen hand. On either
side heavy tffnbers support the cross beam, 6by
inches, at hight of 2l feet, and from this
hangs the rope Of seven-eighths inch manila.
the moose arranged ior fall OF feet. The
platform was reached by an easy flight of steps.
It was pu1it for the execution of Peyton, who
was to have been hanged several months ago.
but his sentence was commuted.
Yesterday he directed his counsel, Mr. Browne.
TO specially return his thanks to Miss Sadie L.
Mason and her family and friends, who had
cone SO much for him, and he expressed the
hope that he would meet them all in Paradise.
STONES LAST NIGHT On EARTH.
Last night the condemned man after ,,ravars
laid down to sleep between and 10 o'clock. but
one OF the lights In the rotund!a was kent hurn.
IDg In such direction as 10 show through into
his cell, lone Of the prisoners having been
taken sick. making this necessary and for an
h1ur hIui,t OF t Two ne was unable to go to sleep
ApOut midnight he went to sleep and rested
uhtii the clock was striking four when he
awoke, but shortly afterwards fell into
a, siumber again and slept until six O'Clock
he theh a~oke Ieellng much refreshed.
THIS MORNING.
AT 81 O'Clock he partook of breakfast. Point
ing TO his cup "a quart meaSure) he said to the
representative of THE STAR, some time after
wards; .,Mhy l took that full Of coffee with
trimmings" After this he lead of singing a
beautiful ny mn, 81 am going home to Jesus tc-
night." Pun and Bedford, who are located on
the other prisoners, joined in. and the singing
was very pathetic. The voices were well bal.
anced and the words We're sung with much feel
Se ssene @va reaa bis bible and
shall be perfectly whole.n Then calling one of
the u guards he made the request tina that
the one o3upda hs aG9aaatapces Gasrad ne saw in
to give him admission. He had short inter. Ter.
view with him, and then expressed the desire
not TO have any one admitted to his cell unless
he was first apprised. but preferred to see no
others than the ministers About 10 O'Clock ali
was quiet In that wing OF the building. the pris
one onefs seeming to feel the soemnity Of The occa-
the floor in meditation and in reading the Rible
During the morning representative of THE
STAR Informed him OF the arrangements which
nad mao M been made for the interment OF his body,
ana am ne expressed satisfaction Herewith, adding
that II was the soul that was important
Early this morning the occupants of those
.ells rom whence the gallOws could be seen
We're removed TO other apartments, and some OF
the employees OF the building arranged to see
the event by locating themselves in the chapel.
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES
s4ofuy alter IL ociock LOCK Rev Dr. Rankin, Rev.
a. sne ;.... and remained in Gen. Crockeris :
0ffice until ~ O'Clock, when the prisoner was
brought into the room and there the time was
spent In singing and prayer and religious con-
Versat1on. At intervals after this the prisoner
joined with other prisoners located near by in |
singing Such hymns as Nearer my God to |
Thee, What Friend we have In jesus To !
one or the officers this morning he said as !
he then felt. he preferred that the law be car |
red out 10 any communication. Mr. Browne his |
counsel, had another short interview with him |
and received from him letter to a friend la ,
Maine. "
In the warden's Office, DR.. Rankin read the |
parable OF the prodgal son and other selections |
ana ReV. MI. Gibbons offered a fervent PRAYER |
IN Which he asked that strength should be given |
the condemned man in his trial. Rising from |
lhelr knees MI. Gibbons asked If he felt that he
was supported hy faith, and he replied emphati- |
caliy That he was, that the Saviour Sustained |
him, and he would be with him when his body |
dropped. DR.. Rankin then read other Selections |
Of Scripture, Mr. Gibbons repeated a very com
Iorting poem, and conversation followed. in
which Mr.. A. h. Browne took part. the prisoner !
oeing ABOUT as cheerful as any OF them.
AT 1880 o'clock the prisoner was brought into
he main hall, with his hands tied behind him
,nd Gen. Crocker, the warden, read the papers
he death sentence and the respites-in the |
,ase. to which he paid attention.
To the ScaffOld.
From this hall Gen. Croker, the warden,
With Capt. coleman, led the way to the scaffold.
iev. Or. Rankin, OF the Congregational church, |
Rev. Mr.. Grfmkle, OF the Presbyterian church. |
md Rev. VIM. Gibbons, of the Baptist Church |
anne next; then the prisoner, dressed In black |
With MessrS. TorrenS and Strong on either side |
md MesSrs. woodward and Dutton bringing ur |
fhn frryn Y0of,& 4