Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-25
HOPING TO THE LAST.
The Death Warrant Read to Wife
Murderer Smith by the Sheriff.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE In JAIL.
The Condemned Man Thought the Paper
Reprieve Until Twas Read.
PROSPECTS FOR ITS COMMUTATIOE

One Of those scenes which, from their
rarity, are regarded with considerable inter-
est took place at the county Jail yesterday.
W. II. Smith, the colored murderer under
sentence of death, was taken into the private
Office of Warden Berlin, and Sheriff Nc
Candless read to him the death warrant.
The condemned man never WINGED during
the reading of the paper, and, Of the two,
the man who is to be hanged on April 8 was
a good deal more composed than the man
who is to hang him.
When the Sheriff reached the words
changed until dead" the only perceptible
action on the part of Smith was nervous
crushing of toothpick, which he held in
his left hand. Until that moment he had
thought the paper a reprieVe, although
daily expecting summons to the gallows.
When the reading was concluded Sheriff
McCandless said: "Mr. Smith, I have per-
formed nv duty in reading to you the war
rant of the Governor for your execution.
1 wish now to let you read it for yourself if
you SO desire"
''No, boss.'' responded Smith, ''Il take
your word for it" at the same time pushing
back the profered document.
The Sheriff then &C ded: "If you desire
any spiritual advisor or any other matter
that can be allowed, you will please notify the
Warden or myself, and everything which hu-
manity prompts and the law allows will be done
in your case"
BACK TO HIS CELL.
Smith then arose from his chair at the end Of
the Warden's desk, where he had sat, unman-
acled and composedly, to hear the time of his
demise announced. and with a steady step
crossed the room, the spectators falling back,
making small line for him to pass through.
AS he reached the door a DISPATCH reporter
asked him if he had any choice as to spiritual
advisor. He replied: REV. Mr.. Pryor has
visited me every week since have been in
jail, and he will continue now, suppose"
Have you any hopes for mercyP"
II don't know. If don't get it here, will
get it hope Goodby. and am glad to see
you, if never do see you again."
Sheriff McCandleSs was asked whether he
thought there was any chance for a commuta-
tion. and he said that he had not applied for a
Communication, nor had he tried to get any
friends to intercede in the matter. AS sworn
officer of the county he was prepared to fulfill
any duty, however unpleasant. which might
fall to his lot Here the Sheriff voice faltered.
as he said: You nor no other man would wish
to be placed in the position Of deliberately
taking the life of fellow creature. 1t is re-
pugnant to a man of any feeling or Of any con-
science. do not know the law regarding the
placing OF death watch, and have decided to
consult the District Attorney on the subject.
In the old days, when the Sheriff lived in the
Jail and the jailer was in authority, the placing
of the watch was optional with the Sheriff, but
in these days l think q limit Is placed, some 10
or 10 days"
AS TO THE DEATH WATCH.
Warden Berlin said that as far as the formal
death watch was concerned he was responsible
far N1,a,, he hed do
cided. The regular death watch would entail
extra expense upon the county, as it would need
a man night and day in reliefs, SO that he could
not tell when it would be commenced.
General William Blakely, one of the counsel
tor the condemned prisoner, said he had hopes
of reprieYe, if not of Communication Of SEN
tence to imprisonment for life he added:
''The attorneys for the man will demand no
fees in the matter. and think that the e1-
pense of going to Harrisburg and filing the
papers would be all that are required. / think
we can save that mans neck for $l00"
Here he was reminded of q similar remark
made by Lawyer Thomas C. Campbell, in
Columbus, o., who said that for s., 600 ne would
not let any man in Ohio be hanged, and the re-
suits in the riots and burning of the Cincinnati
Court House on account of the 20 years. SEN
tence given to Berner, who murdered Teamster
KIrke.
The General replied that this was not
similar case by any means. The jury which
Communication, and the Judge who sentenced
him had also agreed to sign the petition. IF
these facts" said he. "are properly presented
to the Pardon Board think this boy will not
be hanged"
HOW HE WILL HANG.
Warden Berlin was aked what preparations
would be made for the execution, and whether
it was probable it would take place. To the
latter question he answered that there had been
about 100 murders within three years in Pitts
burg without an execution. and he thought |
that this time the climax would be reached. |
He disabused the prevalent idea Of a
death chamber existing IN the jail in !
which hangings would take place. He |
said the old scaffold had Deen burned at the |
Court House fire, so new one would have to |
be constructed. 1t will be made with two trap |
doors upon the slit between which the con- |
demned man will stand. The doors are sup |
ported by piece OF 3x3 scantling, which will |
be thrown out of place by leverage from board |
upon which the Sheriff will step at the time the |
signal for the drop is given.
The drop will be between four and five feet. |
The object of starting the trap doors in this |
manner is to enable the Sheriff to turn his back |
upon the sufferer while he executes his office, |
which he could not do with the old arrange |
ment of lever worked by hand.
Warden Berlin has placed special death |
watch upon W. H. Smith this morning, as he |
thought the prisoner, having attempted suicide |
before. might again make an effort to take his
own life.