The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-07
THE LAST DAY OF LIFE.
Phillips, the Wife-Murderer. Still Manifests
Absolute Indifference to His Execution.

Governor Gray has refused to interfere with
the death sentence of Robert Phillips. The ap-
peal for gubernatorial cleme ncy in committing
the sentence has been made solely on the ground
that there is danger of the execution being at
tended with prolonged suffering for the con
demned man. It is said in the petition for life
imprisonment that if the rope is placed about
his neck, weak from the wound he inflicted upon
himself, it is probable that a horrible scene will
follow, and if not, that death will certainly come
from suffocation rather than a breaking of the
neck. The Governor has decided, that, mas
much as the condition of Phillips existed at the
time of his trial and condemnation, he ought
not to set aside the sentence of the jury. The
The execution will, therefore, take place to-
morrow.
After working two days in erecting the scat
fold and placing a high fence above the Jail wall
so that the execution cannot be witnessed from
the courthouse windows, Peter Reuter-, who
had this charge, told the sheriff last evening,
that everything was in readiness. Tho scaffold
has been used twice before, once in the double
hanging of Achey and Merrick, and again for
Guetig. It will be tested to-day. Sheriff Car
ter will be assisted by John Long and another of
his deputies, not yet named. Coroner S~tratford
with another physician of his own selection, will
be the medical attendants. But very little cere-
mony beyond what is customary on such occa-
sions, is to be followed. Father Bessonies is to
have all reasonable time in administering relig-
ious consolation to the condemned man, and the
length Of the preliminaries. before the march to
the gallows is begun, will depend on the Rever-
end Fathers wish. The execution will
occur as near IL o'clock. noon, as possible. The
tickets of admission will be limited to two hun
dred. There has been a great demand for them.
Phillips still retains an apparent indifference
to his fate. He never talks about it, except to
his mother and Father Bessonies, who, indeed.
are the only visitors ne consents to see. He has
told the jailers that he does not wish to talk to
reporters, thus relieving the latter of an I'M
pleasant task. Whenever he speaks-and then
1t is scarcely above a whisper-he has to put his
finger on his breathing tube. Whenever he re-
moves the pressure a sound like the exhaust of
a to~vsengine escapes. Yesterday he was
out in the Jail hall with the other prisoners, and
part of the time he was scuffiing with a prisoner
of his own color. He never complains, and
within the last few days has given up hope of
having his life saved. when the scat
fold is ready he remarked, recently,
II am ready" No particular watch
committing suicide, which he can easily do by
removing the breathing tube. It is thought that
his spiritual adviser has talked to him about
this act, and removed from him any idea he may
have had in. regard to relieving himself of death
on the scaffold by self-destruction 1t is a mis-
take about his playing cards. II don't think"
said Jailer Long, "that he has played cards
since he was sentenced" His diet is toast.
milk, eggs and steak. A great deal of his time
is spent in his cell, but he is not averse to
taking part in the quiet sports of prison life.