Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-17
The Eshrtla HElrdercrs.

THEY SILL ASSERT THEIR INNOCENCE.
The condemned men-Babe Bedford, alias
NcVerson, and Edward Queenan-who are to be
executed On Friday for the murder Of Geor ge
Philip Hirth In January last, still assert their
innocence They Spend now their entire time
In reading the Bible Or in prayer, and Bedford
especially says that he IS ready TO go and meet
his Maker, who will Judge him as He Will iutge
all Others He and Queenan are receiving the
InipistIations OF Rev. William Gibbons, OF the
Baptist church Queenan looks cheerful and
ole would not Judge that he was so near HIS
END. He says that he tries to pray and some
times he feels right good. He insists that he
is not the guilty party; that Mr.. Hirth had al
ways been too good friend to him. and had he
been bad enough TO commit murder he never
would have hurt such a friend.
CoLcHED MINISTER'S CALL On THE PRESIDENT.
Another effort in behalf Of Bedford and Ques-
nan was made to-day. A large delegation Of
colored ministers called On the President today
Ihey were headed by Bishop Brown. The Pfe5i-
dent received them In the library. Bishop
Brown read the following petition:
TO HIS ErcelIe1tcy the President OF the Caited
States:
We, the undersigned colored ministers OF the
DISTRICT OF Columb a, respectfully pray that the
sentence or Bedford and Queonan be COMMITTED
from that Of Death to that of Imprisonment
Cur reason for this request is simply this: that
from the consideration OF the subject We have
the gravest doubt IN regard TO the guilt OF these
men. Nj. II. Ross, president: S. p. Smith. se;
rotary; j. w. Stevenson, j. p. IIamer, Henry
Bailey, James j. Morris, j. P. ShreeVes, 5. S.
wales, 4; :. Dawes. j. Fl. Brooks, Il. j. Daniel
N. spiddle, j. +. Boulder, E. W. s. Peek, Alex.
Crummell. John NJ. Brown, ]. A. Simm5
The Bishop also made few remarks In be
pan OF the condemned men. He was followed
not give much encouragement to the dtl9ga-
ton. He said, however, Jhat If anything should
occur likely TO make him change his mind ne
would give it consideration up to the last mo-
ment. It looks now as II not hing OF that cnar-
acter is likely to pre- vent the execution.
The Columbia baptist Association.
This ssociation-embracing the Baptist
churches OF the District Of Columbia with the
exception OF the First tl3th street) Church. which
holds its membership in the Virginia asslcia-
tlon-conGnued In session In the nav y-yard
chUch yesterday after our report clio sed.
Messrs c. G. Meador, A. F. Greene, J. c. Well
ing. John Kingdom, Ii. S. Boynton. A, +, Mason
and ID. c. Fountain were appointed commit
lee Oil the admission OF churches, and Me,,re.
I. {. Simpson, William Stickney and S. H. HI
rex a committee on order OF exercises. The
committee on missions reported through Mr.. Z.
Richards, and the consideration OF the report
was pestl oned until after the report Of the ex-
ecutlye beard was disposed OF. The report re-
commenced that each church set apart one eve
ming In each month for prayer and contrIou-
tons In aid OF the mission work.
The afternoon session was opened with dev0-
tional exercises. The report of Treasurer Beard
was presented and referred to an audi5Iny n.
nlittee, consisting of Messrs. A. ROthwell ana
VIM. Stickney. According to the report the
total receipts during the year were S5l5 So;
total expenditures S504 25; balance Sill.
DR.: yelling, chairman OF the committee On
Applications, submitted the report OF that com
mlttee, recommending the admission OF the
received. The report provoked an interesting
discussion, in which Rev. C. c. Meador Rev.
A. +. Mason, DR.. j. c. yelling, Mr.. William
Stickney, Thomas Jones ana X. S. Parks par
day.
The report of the executive board was then
o Lon oD1 ar
Richards Meador Mixter, Beard. Boyuely
Parks and Fenwick Finally the recon-
tons contained In the report were referred to
the incoming board. and The report was adopted
Ine moderator announced the following
special committees To nominate the new exec
utlve board, Revs. S. Ii. Greene A. f. Mason
ana Z; Z. Meador and Me5srs. c. S. Mixter, John
Kingdom, 4. Richards. T. c. Simpson. To select
tine and place for the next meeting. Rev c. C
Meador. Rev. owen James and Mr.. +. Jones
Rev: X. II. Luther: District secretary OF the
able and interesting statement of the work OF
the association.
TO-DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
tho ms mornlng the report OF the committee on
Cne Applications OF churches for mem oarShtp
eharch Rev up the Ws application Of sao
ae ebae tee TO nepSgt next aud
Colored church. Sd street. and Mt. TABOR church
OF Iennallytown, were also referred. TIE com
m n was appointed as follows :-Messrs s.
n. M1l1ck, street; VIM. Stickney. Calvary: s.
r. English, Gay street; James c. Dulin' Sscond
Ghurch; Cleveland Able, North; Rev. j. ". Par
ker and S. NJ. Yeatman. W. 81
rev. Mr. mason ofered resolution rec,ting
that as there are 40 Baptist churches. many or
which have no assoc1ationaf connection and
there is an impression that this association "a
not READY 10 welcome colored churches, that
such churches will be welcomed when they
apply for admission; and no barrier other than
those presented In article xii. of the coastitu
ion will be raised. This was laid over for
uture action.
The report OF the committee on missio Is was
taken Up and discussed.