Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-17
THE DEATH SENTENCE.
LANCASTER TO BE HANGED.
The Scene in the criminal Cour,

TIE PRISONER LAUGHS WHILE HEARING HIS SEN
| TEScE-A VIOLENT OUTBREAK AFTER HE LEFT TEE
| CoCRT-RooM-HIs NOTES TO THE COURT.
Among the prisoners brought I'D from jail to the
/ Criminal Court, Judge Wyle, to-day, was the
| negro, John LANCASTER. alias Lancaster. alias Geo.
d. Hudson. convicted OF the murder of Officer Fow-
/ Ter In September last When the prisoner stepped
out OF the van he was smoking cigar. He was
brought into court at 1925 o'clock laughing, and
| SStS.tal tliaes during the proceedings laughed
loudly He was attired in striped shirt, dark
pants ana coat. and had small string OF velvet
around his throat.
THE MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL ovERRULED.
Mr. e V. Phelps, the prisoners counsel, said that
he would submit his motion for trial without
| argument. This motion was based on the grounds
that the verdict was contrary TO the evidence and
that there was newly-discOvered evidence as to
the insanity OF the prisoner.
Inc court overruled the motion for new trial,
and directed the prisoner to stand up, which he did,
laughing loudly.
What is Your true. name?" asked the court
II on were indicted under several aliases
John Langster," " he answered IN surly way.
"!ave you got anything to say?" asked the court.
81 didn't Kill no man, the man shot at me, and
The Dall come right by my ear here Is print on my
ear now"
THE DEATH SENTENCE.
The cOurt.-"After fair trial you have been con-
victed OF the murder OF Officer John II. Fowler
The prisoner tnterrupting.) -"He shot at me, and
pulled out his pistol and stung me-"
You were defended with ability and enthusiasm
by the counsel assigned you and had every Oppor
tunlty to submit your defenSe'
The prisoner, holding up his head: 81 have two
notes here"
Toe court, continuing: "There is nothing re-
naming for the court to do but TO pass the SEN
tence upon the verdict. which Is That you be
taken hence 10 the Jail and there be kept In cOnfne
nent untn the first Friday succeeding the next
term OF the Court in General Term and be then be-
tween the hours OF 8 and 10 O'Clock. taken to the
place OF execution and be hanged by the neck till
You are dead cHere are two notes. exclaimed
I rhn
your soul"
The court added "The motion for a new trial has
been overruled- Perhaps you have the right to
have your trial reviewed by the General Term. so
The sentence will be set for the Friday succeeding
the next term"
UNREASONABLE TIME"
The District attorney suggested that section S45
reads. to enable application to the General Term,
the court shall give "a reasonable time." not
ceeding thirty days beyond the next term; and
that In the General Term In the OF Brice there
was some difficulty because the sentence read"the
Ir,t Friday, ard II the court adjourned on Thurs
Gay. the time remaining would not be regarded as
reasonable. He suggested that il the sentence read
the second Friday. this objection would be met.
The court said from now until the first Friday
after the next General Term was reasonable. but
he had no objection to make 1t the second Friday,
and he made that order
VIOLENT OUTBREAK OF THE PRISONER.
MI. Springman. the officer Of The van, deity Slip
ped the handouts the prisoner just as the court
was closing his remarks. Accompanied by Messrs.
Springman. Juarhis and Miller. the prisoner was
taken from the court room to the cell. In passing
MIR. Charles Peil am the prisoner Snatchtd from
him pen, which act was seen by Mr.. Springman,
who hastily snatchet it away from him. He walk
ed quickly out 10 the ante-room, and the officers
stopped TO put leg irons on him. Then he became
very violent ana prOiane and resisted the baiff,
throwing himself down on the pavement. He was.
however. taken up bodily and carried TO the cell
the basement. but 10 sooner was he locked in than
HE KNOCKED THE STOVE OVER,
and then attempted to pull up the wooden bench
The officers rushed in, the smoke pouring from the
broken stove, and at once took him out and placed
him in the adjoining cell. Here he became furious,
and jumping on the bench tried to break It, Mr.
SpringInaa quickly got to him. and succeeded in
fastening him 10 the iron frame near the window
He then became quiet. but 1t was soon discovered
tnat he was trying with a piece OF metal to open
his handouts. Then he broke out into unearthly
howlS and yels. using the most disgusting language
There were a number OF officers about the build
Ing in addition TO the marhas officers, but none OF
them seemed 10 have power TO silence him. He
finally broke loose ron the frame work, and tore
BIS clothing until 1t fell In pieces on the floor. In
order TO abate the excitement he caused he was
hastily placed in the van and sent back to Jail. On
the way he tried TO kic, the door open, while Mr.
Springman, seated behind, kept watch on him
through the openings. IL is thought that the out
break OF the prisoner could have been averted If
the court officers had been let alone but a mum Der
or police officers rushed in, and then he became
furious.
THE NOTES WRITTEN BY TIE PRISONER,
which he desired TO hand to the court written
In pencil. One of these read as follows:
'.TheSe policemen they are all like Mr. Fowler
and they did not tell the truth on me. hear sew
eral OF them say oughter to be killed and one of
them say he would like TO poison me II he could
and some men come in and threaten TO SnOOt me
and they said wen lynch you and hang you to O
lamp post heard Officer Boyle say to
two white boys do not tell true on him Mr. WyIie
this man Went round and got up above 12 witnesses
who was not there. All the men was there was 3
co0red men. Ii there had been there they would
have come and help Mr.. Fowler to take me Your
honor am telling the truth before God the most
high JOHN LANCASTER
he other reads: washington October 3Oth
1se3-IOur Hon am sorry but am innocent OF
this murder but still to go anywhere you send
me- But every man come up ON The stand told
Wli1ul lie except two men and boy. But am
insane ard l have spells ON me once In a while
and was in the Insane Asylum was sent from the
army Tor the Insane Asylum under Mr.. W. W. God
ding being superintendent. Please see into IT.