Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-15
JOHN LANCASTER HUNG.
The Murderer of Officer Fowler Paws
the Penalty of His Crime.
he MEETS HIS FATE CALMLY.
The March to the ScaHOld and the Final
Act I'm the Drama-A Brief SIX fetch Of
the Prisoners Career.

John Langster. the murderer of Policeman
Fowler, paid the penalty Of his crime by being
hung In the District Jail this morning This
execution terminated q career of viciousness
and crime which commenced when he was
quite young. His father was present at the Jail
to witness the terrible end of his son and the
brother of the prisoners victim, as well as the
father-n-law of the murdered officer, were also
among the spectators. Officer Fowler was quite
popular on the force, and his fellow-policemen
were extremely bitter against the prisoner
nearly all seeking to be present at his execu-
t1on- Ine detail was not large, however, and
was under the immediate supervision of Major
Dye and Capt. Vernon. In order not to excite
Langster on his way to the scafiold the police
that no uniforms met his eye as he pas Led
along. The arrangements for the execution
and oaeN sbsf
prisoner would make a scene at the last mo-
ment and violently resist the jail officials, but
incident to mar the solemnity of the satisfac-
tiOn of the death penalty.
LANGSTER'S LAST DINNER
Langster's father, with two children called
upon him about halfpast 1 o'clock yesterday
and spent little time with him. Afterwards
Rev. Father OSullivan, his spiritual adviser
remained with him for half an hour. After
this Langster ate very hearty dinner and then
wrote several letters to friends. Next. at his
of violating the postal laws, came down and
read to him. sitting a stool at the cell door,
He read the litany for the dying--Langster, on
bended knees, responding in voice full of feel
ing.
WHAT THE CONDEMNED MAN SAID TO STAR
REPORTER.
At 9:45 o'clock last night, during a brief in
terval in Langster's religious exercises, a STAR
reporter had an interview with him, but
Langster was not very communicative and an
swered in monosyllables. He stated that he had
several brothers, and had both father and
mother and stepfather and mother, the former
after separating when he was mere child
naSing nav each married ed again His mother mar,
with his mother until driven away by Bowie
When asked about his crime he said, THAT is
about it, All that he had to say was to ask the
Lord to bless al!-Mr Davis, the warden and Off
GERS of the jail, Mr. Bowie, his stepfather and all
the rest. He had no feeling animosity against
any one. and he would die thanking his friends
for he said he felt that all were his friends.
Then again kneeling at his cell door the pris-
oner F'innigan taking seat on the outside, he
turned his attentions to devotions.
EARLY TO BED.
When Finnigan left after spending five hours
with him, Langster smoked cigar and retired
to bed about halfpast ten o'clock. He did not
go to sleep, however. He told his guards that
as this was his last night he did not intend to
sleep. Langster, however. fell asleep shortly
after two O'Clock, and rested well till half-past
he was told of the death Of Gaskins. one of the
prisoners, and replied: Hes gone only a little
before me-
AN EARLY MORNING INTERVIEW.
When the reporters visited him about six
O'Clock Langster appeared quite fresh, but one
of his eyes appeared somewhat dimmed He
said he had slept just like any other person
and was feeling quite we'll, and that he
"reckoned" he had made peace above. When
clyn6 l0 hod nr6n rnd l.
eyes, fourteen eggs" He requested that Bob
Dent, a prisoner charged with assault, and
Tom Bowie, who is in Jail for grave robbing, be
Rev. Father Sullivan, of st. Peters, called at
6:45 o clock, and went at once in the cell and
engaged in devotional exercises.
This morning to a prisoner passing his cell
Langster said: "Im resigned, for I'll soon be
better off, for my temper is uncomfortable; if
got out OF this trouble l might get into some
other trouble
Mr.. j. r. Wright furnished the coffin, COM
last Tuesday and took a look at Langster to get
his size. The coffin was brought to the Jail
about $50 o'clock this morning and placed in
the rear OF the scafiold. behind the cells of the
The remains will be placed in the vault at
Mt. Olivet.
CONSULTATION AS THE DISPOSITION OF THE
BODY.
At seven o'clock the rope was rugged, and at
the same time conference was held by War
den Crocker and Mr.. Wright, the undertaken
with Father O'Sullivan, rs to the disposition
OF the body. 1t was arranged that the remains
lay In the jail till nine o clock a. m. tomorrow
when they shall be taken 10 Mt. Olivet and
placed In the vault
VISITED BY HIS FATHER.
AT 100 O'Clock this morning the father of
Langster visited his condemned son in the cell
the guard withdrawing He remained with his
son but short time. He advised him to con-
tinue In prayer, and said that they We're all
praying for him.
The prisoner told his father that he Langster)
was prepared to die, and to give his love to his
brothers and sisters and tell them to meet him
in heaven Just previous to this interview the
prisoner had become reconcied to Mr. Wood
ward. whom he had attacked on Monday. The
father said that he would remain and see him
die; that he would carry his messages for him.
lost, both body and soul.
THE PRISONERS LAST MEAL.
At 1870 o'clock the prisoners breakfast was
served-fourteen fried eggs, cup of tea, a cup
of milk, fried potatoes and bread-but he eat
but little over half of it. At that hour all the
overlooking the scaiiold, were locked in the
south wing.
The March to the ScaHoId.
At $40 O'Clock, the priest having announced
that the prisoner was ready, Warden Crocker
accompanied by Messrs. Strong, Coleman, Dut
ton, Hudson, Torrens and Crocker, entered the
corridor.
AS the warden entered the cell the prisoner
was sitting on his bed reading his prayer-book
with O crucifix in his hand. MIR. Strong PIN
toned Langsters arms behind him, and then
Capt. Coleman removed the iron shackles from
his legs. While this was being done the priest
stood before the prisoner saying prayer with
uplifted crucitix, which Langster repeated after
him. Then the procession lett for the Scaffold.
The order OF procession was as follows: Warden
Crocker ana Mr.. Strong; the prisoner, with
Father O'Sullivan on one side and Father Sulli-
van on the other; Capt. Coleman and Mr. Jones,
Messrs Dutton and Hudson, Messrs. Torrens
and woodward and the jury and witnesses.
AS he passed to the scaffold Langster spoke to
his father, who was in the line, and also nodded
to several acquaintances.
THE ATTENDANCE.
Warden Crocker said that at no execution
save that of Guiteau had the pressure for
admission been SO great as 10 see Langster pay
the penalty of his crime. He had, however,
kept closely within the law, and had been care
full In the distribution of his passes. There
were less than $50 people present, and o large
number OF these were physicians.
The Death Scene.
On reaching the scaffold the prisoner was
placed upon the drop, and the priests continued
TO read the prayers lOr the dead. The venerable
Robt. Strong placed the black cap over the
head Of the prisoner and adjusted the moose
with care and deliberation. Before the cap
concealed his features Langsters lips were seen
TO move as II repeating the prayers uttered by
the priests Warden Crocker stood in the
corner nearest the cells, while directly opposite
were guards Dutton and Hudson, and ON the
rear was Capt, Coleman. At the foot of the
rens and Crocker. When all the preliminaries
were completed Warden CrOcker waved his
handkerchief, the spring was touched, the drop
fell and Langster's body