Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-11-16
THE DEATH PENALTY.
Charles Johnson Hanged for Mur-
der at Waterloo. N. Y.
He KILLED A TURNKEY.
lie Declared that HE Was Innocent Unto
the Last, aud Said that His Pal. ed
ward Caldwell. Was the Real
Culprit-His Last Hours.

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johnson, the murderer, passed hls last right
en- earth quietly. He had but one living rela-
tive, a sister, Mrs Edward Thorne. Sho
called on him early in the evening, and their
conversation was long aud painful, though
10th endeavored to maintain an air of COM
posure. johnson repeated to his sister
his solemn declaration that he did not
strike the fatal blow which caused Walters
death, and expressed pleasure at the knowi-
edge that he was Innocent
At parting he said:
'Good-by, sister until we meet in hap
pier and better world.H
The Rev. w. s. Carter, of the Presbyterian
church, who has been Johnsonis spiritual adj
wiser, was with the condemned man all day.
The cell in which Johnson was confined Is
not fifteen feet distant from the spot where
the scaffold, the same on which Mrs. Druso
was hanged, was erected. While he was
parting with his sister and listening TO the
solemn words of the clergyman, the sounds
Of the work ON the scaffod wsnt into the
cell continually. Only canvas screen kept
the sight of il from the doomed man.
In the evening he granted an interview to
a reporter, but did not have much TO say ex-
cept to reiterate his declaration of innocence
aud express qualification that the sympathies
Of the people of the village were with him.
He quietly prayed with Mr.. Carter, and as
the Clergyman was leaving he asked that
they sing together, and the trio, for the Rev.
Philip Swift, the Methodi,t Clergyman, was
also present, sang "Rock of Ages II Need
Thee every Hourn and There's q Land that
is Fairer than Day. Then he went to bed
and slept soundly.
During the earlier days of his confinement,
after sentence, johnson expressed an inten-
tion to commit suicide. Sheriff Leech was
astonished one day to find Johnson's name
carved on the bench in his cell. The pen
knife with which tho cary ing was done was
taken away from him. Since then he has
been changed man, and since it has been
certain that he must hang he has borne him
self bravely.
To all he declared his innocence and said
that il was Caldwell, who is now serving a
life sentence in the state prison in Alabama,
who struck the fatal blow. The Jail was
guarded by detail of men from Snyder
post, @. A. r., of Waterloo, and Cross post,
of Seneca Falls The murdered man was an
old soldier
The sheriff read the death warrant at S:45
a. M, the prisoner remaining unmoved
After few closing words Of encouragement
and advice the Rev. Mr. Carter adminis-
tered the sacrament to the doomed man. The
prisoner than sang Nearer, My God, to
Thee" and "Rock OF Ages From until
10 o'clock the trio sang and prayed, and
johnson gained strength each moment.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the jurors and wit
nesses were summoned into the inner Jail,
and as the space was limited they were
obliged TO huddle close together. The sheriff
and two deputies approached the condemned
man, fastened his hands and led him to the
gallows
The sheriff led the way, followed closely by
johnson, who was supported by two deputies
Following closely were the clergymen. When
the gallows was reached the prisoner took his
position Immediately under the rope. The
moose was adjusted and everything was ready
for the execution.
The sheriff pressed the spring at %, and
the weight fell. Johnson's body was, jerked
four feet in the air and dangled there.
moment after the drop his head moved
slightly and then fell over to one side.
at 1879 the body was examined and de-
clared dead, and at 10:45 it was lowered An
examination revealed the fact that the neck
was broken. The body was turned over to
the undertaken, who removed il.
Johnson's sister received the remains at the
undertaker's An immense throng followed
the hearse.
The crime for which johnson paid the
death penalty was committed Jan. o, 1888
He, together with Edward Caldwell and
Marcus Fish, was attempting To break jail
They had succeeded in ridding themselves Of
the shackles about their feet and had partly
completed hole through the wall, work ON
which they were obliged to discontinue.
They determined to make rush for liberty
through the door when the turnkey came in
to lock them up for the night.
While doing this John Walters, the turn
key, about 20 years old, was struck by John
SON and Caldwell on the head with q stove
poker. He died the next day from his in
juries.
Jonnson's counsel made strong. effort to
save his client, taking the case to the court
Of appeals and beseeching the governor for
mercy.