Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-27

The Crime for Which BiscOe il to be
Hanged To-Day.

This is the day fixed Tor the hanging at Leonard
town, Nd, OF John Benjamin Biscoe, a colored
man formerly resident OF this city, for the MUIR
der Of Capt. Robt- R. Dixon. The execution takes
place In building especially prepared for the oc-
casion, Immediately In the rear Of the courthouse
and about forty yards from the cell occupied by
the condemned man The structure is about 80
feet square, 10 feet high and rooted with plank
IL was necessary 70 go TO this expense In order to
comply with the law OF 1884, which requires all
three years OF age. Until short time he seemed
10 De lndinerent OF the fate before him Recently
ne became serious and consulted with Catholic
priest He said that he was prepared to die.
BIsCoRs CRIME.
The murder OF which Bfscoe was twice convicted,
after two lengthy trials, was committed on the
Potomac River, on the Virginia side, near the
mouth Of Machodoc Greek, August % 1886 The
victim, Capt Dixon, was sailing the sloop Mary j.,
with Biscoe as a hand, and they were the only
people on the boat. Tho SOop left this city about
sunrise on the morning OF August a. and nothing
was heard OF her until Sunday morning, August
30, when man discovered the boat sailing from
the Virginia shore 10 near the mouth OF Briton'S
Bay, In ST. Mary's County. The sloop was aban-
the attention OF the man, and he also observed
that the boat was drifting about. Later in the
day some men boarded the boat, and found from
cabin evidences OF o most foul murder. On the
Tuesday following August % the BODY OF Capt.
Potomac River, lust outside OF the mouth of
MachodOc Creek. Biscoe was arrested on the
steamer Thompson while 1t was lying at Leonard
town wharf on the Wednesday night after the
murder He was apparently asleep on a settee In
the saloon. and was bound for Washington. He
had his sweetheart with him, and quite little
company were accompanying the PAIR TO WASH
ington. While BiScoe was no doubt prompted TO
the murder by hope OF gain, he got only "a from
Capt Dixon. When placed In JAIN he made num-
Der OF contradictory statements, and finally ad-
United that he killed Capt Dixon.
PLEA OF sELF-DEFENsE.
Biscoe In his statement said that Capt Dixon
accused him Of being lazy, and on the morning Of
the murder threw Ratchet at him, which missed
its aim. Capt. Dixon then with threats ran down
in the cabin land started back with drawing
knife. When saw him coming with the drawing
knife" said Biscoe 81 struck him with a stick OF
oak wood, which was lying on the cabin trunk,
and knocked him back In the cabin. Then went
down In the cabin and taken him and throwd him
overheard did not kill him with the intention
OF getting his money, but mearley for TO defend
myself"
HIS attorneys removed his case to Charles
County Court, where he had two trials. The case
was twice carried TO the Court OF Appeals The
nrst time the lower court decision was reversed
and the case sent back for another trial The last
time the judgment or the lower court was az
nrmed and the prisoner sentenced by Judge Stone
The last jury, In finding him guilty OF murder In
the first degree, recommended him to the mercy
OF the court Two petitions for Communication OF
the death sentence TO life Imprisonment were pre-
sented TO Gov. Jackson.