The Indianapolis journal., 1883-08-06
STATE NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Preparations at Rockville for the
Execution of Buck Stout.
4 Petition Asking Communication of the Sen
tence-A Fort Wayne Rough Killed by
an Ohicer-Notes aud Gleanings.
INDIANA.

a Petition for the Communication of stours
Sentence-Preparations for the Execution.
Rockville Letter Terre Haute Express
John Courtney, Stouts attorney, was here
yesterday He has made mastery effort
for his client, and now resorts to the last
chance. Petitions are being circulated for
signers that will be presented to the Gov
ernor on Monday, praying his Excellency to
commute the death penalty to imprisonment
for life. Following is the petition:
Petition TO Albert G. Porter, Governor of 1ndi-
ana, for the Communication of Joseph W Stout:
The undersigned, petitioners would represent
aud show your EXeellency that upon the 24th
day of November 1882, one Joseph W. Stout
killed one Taylor Dunbar near the town of
Darlington, IN Montgomery county, Indiana.
The prosecution for said offense Uaken by
change Of venue, from said county TO Parke
county, ana upon the 23d day of April, by
Judgment of the Parke Circuit Court, SAID Stout
was sentenced TO be executed upon the Sth day
of August, 1888. The evidence in the case and
the facts herein recitsd appear in .he record OF
the case of state of Indiana VS.. Joseph w Stout,
now in the hands OF the Reporter OF the Supreme
Court.
"We would show that this is the first felony
with which said Stout has ever been charged;
that he Is a young man, having arrived az nis
twenty-second year the l7th of December,
1882; that from his infancy he has been afflicted
with the disease of epilepsy, and has had hts;
reside in said town OF Darlington,
are ignorant and poor people;
that he has four sisters and one brother, all OF
whom. well as their father John Stout, have
been more or less subject epieptio fits all
their lives: that from his infancy said Joseph
W. Stout has grown like weed, and never had
proper parental and domestic discipline, ana
moral or intellectual training he has never mad
known. And being satisfied that said Stout
does not, even now, realize the eoermity of the
crime of which he has been convicted, we. your
petitioners, on account of these facts and others
which we might recite, citizens of the state
of Indiana, pray our Governor TO commute the
death penalty of Joseph W. Stout TO imprison
ment In the State prison during life, anu thus We
will ever pray"
1t will be observed that the plea of epiIep-
sy, and hence insanity, is set forth very
forcibly 1t is too late for that
1t used TO be that attorneys could
prove insanity without filing a written plea,
Before Stouts trial the Legislature passed a
law requiring the defense of insanity or un-
sould mind to be filed by way of written
plea. In this case the defense had a lot of
witnesses to prove insanity on the part OF
Stout. Failing to file this plea the court
ruled out all evidence of this nature. The
result might have been different had this
not happened and Stout might have been
sent to the State prison for life. 1t is not
expected the Governor will interfere on be-
half of Stout, and he will 2expiate the muir
der OF Taylor Dunbar on "Wednesday, Au-
gust 8.
The inclosure where the hanging takes
place will be built on Monday. Ii is thirty
by forty feet 1t will be east of the engine
house in the Jail lot, and twenty-five feet
high. The scaffold is already completed, and
1t takes but short time to put it in place. 1t
is strongly built, and the drop is six and
half feet. The trap door works with lever
and is perfect.
The sheriff has received about 100 letters
this week. They are principally from doc
tors, newspaper and business men, and all
desire ticket. The letters are filed away in
the sheriff's Office, aud in future years they
will be quite a curiosity.
The rope for the hanging was purchased
from John Bontes g. Sons, of Cincinnati. Ii
is made of pure Italian hemp. closely plated
and seyen-eighths of an inch thick. 1t has
two nooses. one at each end, so if one breaks
there will be reserve moose. The rope has
been rubbed with tallow to make it slip
easily.
The guard duty will be performed by the
McKeen Cadets
Stout has had Rev. w. P Cummings talk
with and advise him. The minister found
him sincere ard frank and deeply concern
ed about his spiritual welfare The Scrip
lures were read and the way of salvation
pointed out. He was talked to as a dying
man and seems TO be humble and penitent
open to conviction and instruction Has
no skepticism about him, and is willing to be-
lieve the doctrines taught by the Bible. 1t
was very satisfactory interview and really
more than anticipated, as the minister ex-
pected to find the prisoner full of prejudice
and unbelieving. Such was not the case.
He treated Rev. Mr.. Cummings as a gentle
man and heard everything said with the
greatest of reverence and attention.
Rough Killed by Deputy Sheriff
VIZ. L