Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-13
READY FOR THE GALLONS.


Nelson Colbert, who is under sentence OF
death for the murder of Philip Vented. is in
excellent spirits, notwithstandii the fact that
he is to be hanged next Friday. He eats and
sleeps well. and his spiritual adviser. Rev. Jno.
Roberts, the evangelist. says that he viii walk
to the scaffold and meet his death without the
least fear of the hereafter. The condemned
man speaks of but few persons besides his
mother and spends most of his time reading
the Bible.
HIS fAyoRITE VERSES.
He has become particularly interested in the
fourth chapter of Timothy, and frequently
reads the verses as follows:
For l am now ready 10 be offered and the
time OF my departure is at hand. have tough;
good fight: l have finished my course: have
kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for
me crown of righteousness. which the Lord.
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day;
and not to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing"
These verses he told Mr. Roberts he wanted
read at his funeral services. which will proba-
bly, be held at the Montello Methodist church
Colbert fully realizes that he is to die. and
has given up all hope of further favorable &C
ton by the President, although his counsel
and spiritual adviser are still working hard to
secure another respite or a Communication OF
sentence. Mr. Roberts has arranged TO have
an interview with the Acknowledgement either
this afternoon or tomorrow. and. in company
with Colbert's mother, he will afterward call
upon the President
THE SERVICES YESTERDAY.
Colbert arose early yesterday morning and
arranged his toilet to receive Mr.. Roberts. who
was to spend the day with him. He remained
In his cell reading and praying until IL O'Clock
when Mr.. Roberts arrived. Mr.. Roberts talked
4
members of Mr.. Roberts Christian association
arrived and held religious services. When the
meeting opened, Colbert occupied a seat on the
steps behind the iron grating and seemed
deeply interested in what was going on, while
beside him sat William Briggs, who was sen.
fenced to be hanged, but has been granted a
new trial. After the singing of several HYMNS
Mr.. Roberts addressed the prisoners for some
minutes, and then Colbert gave out the HYMN.
saviour More Than Life to Me-" and led in
the singing. At the conclusion of the exercises
Colbert talked with MANY of those who have
visited him since his confinement Then Mr..
Roberts went with him to his cell, where Colbert
received communion. Mr.. Roberts will visit the
prisoner each day until he is led to the scat
fold. Tomorrow the prisoners mother and
father will visit him, and Thursday night for
the last time his friends and relatives will be
permittnd to visit him and take their final
leave.
COLBERT NEIGEBoRs IN JAIL.
Colbert occupies cell No. IS, on the first
floor, south wing right (west side), about half
way down the wing. Taylor Carey. who is
charged with the murder of his brother, Isaac
Carey, occupies the adjoining cell. No. l6 The
accused was patient at Freedman's hospital.
and was supposed to be in the last stages OF
consumption when the homicide occurred but
since his confinement in Jail has greatly i'm
proved IN health. On the cast side of the wing
Dorsey Suber, the young colored man charged
with the murder of James Payne, by stabbing
him, is confined in cell No. l. and he expresses
himself as confident that if the full facts are
proven he will not suffer death. and perhaps
will be acquitted. In the adjoining cell, No. 8.
Benjamin Hawkins, whose trial is on in the
Criminal Court, is confined. He is of quiet de-
meanor, talks but little, and has nothing to saw
of the crime with which he is charged-the
murder OF his wife, Cora, by stabbing her on
March IA. His demeanor indicates depressed
spirits. but he is confident that his life will be
spared. VIM. Briggs, who is awaiting his
second trial for the murder of VIM. Jones. is
IN cell q. He was convicted and sentenced to
be hanged at the same time with Colbert, but
new trial was awarded him, and he now ex-
poets that his life will be saved. Lewis Will
liams, colored boy convicted of the murder
OF ex-Policeman Alder, occupies cell p adjoin-
ing. He Is extremely reticent, and talks abou.
his case only with his counsel