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

Mr.. Gibbons spent about half an hour with
them at this time. and they sang several spirit
ual songs 1n fine voice, other prisoners Joining
IN. About 1890 o'clock two colored girls zone
OF them Sarah Turner, who was Queenan's
principal alibi witness) called and took leave of
the prisoners, who afterwards spent over half
an hour In meditation LOW and then singing
Whittier than snow" and other spiritual songs.
While this was going On the collins were brought
In and placed near the ScaffOld, but not In
sight
HOW THE MEN WERE ATT1RED,
when the prisoners dressed they atttred
themselves Tor the day-Bedford in a grey:sh
brown coat Urock) grey pants and white shirt
and necklle, and Queenan in blue suit (cut-
away coat. white shirt and black tie. A few
brother OF Ned, arrived, but waited in the Office
some tine for the arrival of his father and
mother, now living In Goat alley.
PRAYING FOR PISN.
AT 10:45 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 1nno-
cent ana said they would pray for him (Plnn)
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 INTERPosE.
=. While these proceedings were In progress at
Inc jail, Ch1ef 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 ll:25 O'Clock.
SCENES OUTSIDE THE JAIL.
AS early as O'Clock parties gathered about
the jail anxious to get admission out the Off
GERS were memorable, and only those With
passes were admitted. Some attempted to get
a look at the scaffold from the outside but
Jailed as there was no opening from whence q
view could be obtained BY noon there were
several hundred outside waiting for the officials
TO relent, and anxious to hear whether the
prisoners had made any confession.
AT an early hour this morning the prisoners
Id the cells on the east side OF the north wing
were all moved to the south side doubling I'D In
many cases with the others.
QUEENAN SMOKING AND SINGING.
Queenan having asked for cigar ABOUT liz
O'CLOCK 1t was given him aud he enjoyed lG
Willie, with Bedford, he continued to sing He
viii hide me-
PARTING SCENES.
AT 11:4O o'clock MeSSrs. Coyle and Wells had
final interview with the prisoners and BIZ
Sleenan having heard that Ned desired to see
MN, went and took leave OF him. Bedford held
Biils hand for some time, and begged him TO so
live as TO meet him in Heaven.
AT NOON
Gen. CROKER 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
1Old Bedford then offered fervent prayer.
QUBENAN HAD DREAM
last night that he was free, and was living away
some distance from here, doing well. In his III
tervieW with Bill, his brother, he told
urged him if guilty not to 20 away from
this world with a lie On MS tongue. lie was
anxlously expecting his father and mother,
leaving the cell Bill remained In the rotunda
and talked with number OF people about his
pIother saying that II he was. guilty
but he was not sure that he was guilty. AS the
hour of one approached the roGunda by some
means became well filled, and there were more
people than enough present to I'LL the corridor.
The two men continued singing 81 Am 50
Happy In Jesus Dear Jesus" Rev. Mr.. Gio-
bons standing near their cell door.
ASSERTING THEIR INNOCENCE TO THE LAST.
AT minutes past one they sang ''We'1 Walk
Through the Valley In Peace" and Bill Queenan
took a goodbye OF his brother. Warden
CROKER and the guards walked into this
first brought out, and. shutting his eyes com
menced to sing, I'm so glad, I'm going to die
an innocent man, while his arms were being
exclaimed II am ready for you and have been
Waflng for half an hour; I'm going to die an
innocent man." They were led to the center Of
the building, where Gen. Croker read the
paperS-the sentence, death warrant and order
OF the President-to which they listened attel-
lively.
The March to Death.
The death warrant having been read
the procession formed as follows The
warden, General j. S. Croker; the ministers.
Rev. Bishop Brown, Of the A. M. E. Church;
lew Rev; William Gibbons. of Mt. Zion Baptist
-
Hall, OF Mt. Zion M. E. Church, Georgetowu:
the condemned men, flanked by Messrs. Cola-
man; Strong, Jones and Woodward; Captain
Croker, with MIR. button bringing up the rear.
On the ScaffOld.
At LEO the procession reached the scaffold-
Bedford made slight halt and looked up at the
rope with smile on his face and then with a
up without stopping, with his eyes resting Oh
the beam.
The Closing Scenes.
On the scaffiold Rev. Mr.. Gibbons gave out
the hymn, "Oh! for an Overcoming Faith
which was sung, and he also read selections OF
ScIlpture-23d Psalm, and the 18th chapter OF
JOhn, and Bishop Brown offered prayer.
= DURING BISHOP BROWNS PRAYER
Inc prisoners seemed to lose some of their re.
ngious enthusiasm and listened intently TO
giveness and His mercy On these two young
men who stood up in the face OF the commu-
nlty ana declared their innocence. They then
took their places on the platform, and while
lhelr legs were being pfn1oned,
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 find after he was
gone that he was innocent. He thanked GOD
that he had spoken the truth
QURENAN SAID:
II know nothing about this murder, and it will
be found out" He hoped all would meet him
In heaven, adding that there is gentleman in
him. He continued, saying: 50 I'll bid you all
goodbye, and / hope to meet you
IN heaven" The burial service was
read by Rev. Mr.. Hall, during which the caps
and knots were adjusted.
The Fall of the Drop.
Rev. Mr. Gibbons pronounced the benedlc-
ton, and as he said amen" the drop, at 1885.
Tell, Bedford on the left, and Queenan on the
right.
Queenan was somewhat affected while the
Durlal service was being read and gave Way to
hls feelings. Bedford died comparatively easy.
anu the commissions, which were slight, ceased
in about four minutes.
Inc necks OF both were broken by the fall
winch was about four feet. Queenan struggled
considerably; especially was the tWitching Of
the fingers noticed for five or more mtnutes
Drs. Young, McWilliams, Elliot and Van Ar.
mum examined the bodies thirteen minutes
after the drop fell. When this examination was
being made 1t was thought that there was some
life in Bedford, but 1t was found that the ire
NOR was caused by the vibrations of the struc-
ture. Alter hanging almost twenty minutes
the bodies were placed In the coffiins by the un-
dertaker, Mr.. j. r. Wright and they
will be kept until to morrow, and buried by the
Young Mems Christian Association (colored) i'm
their grounds
There WERE outside of officers, about 200 per-
sons In the building, and outside probably two
thousand at the time the drop fell.
ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE
by the warden that In case of any intended re-
spite or communication from the President that