Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-21
HANGED AT MIDNIGHT.
Execution Of Edward Blair ut Columbus,
Ohio-A Sisters Anguish.

Execution Of Edward Blair ut Columbus
| Ohio-A Sisters Anguish.
! Edward Blair was hanged in the Jail yard at
Columbus, Ohio, At 1908 this morning for
murder. His neck was broken.
| Though yesterday was the last day ON earth
for Blair It passed unnoticed by any particular
tncidents The murderer was very pale, but
did not exhibit any signs of weakening. He
passed sleepless night and marks Of the ter
rible strain were borne on his face. Yesterday
morning Father Logan baptized him in the
Catholic faith and left him in better spirits.
Shortly afterward Chaplain Sutton attended
him with prayer and scriptural readings. The
remainder Of the morning was spent in COM
pany with Miss Laura Blair, his sister, Con-
versations were directed mainly upon home
topics, and the young lady spent considerable
time making bouquets for each of the five con-
demned men in the annex. Henry Blair, half
brother to the murderer. took the execution
with more ease, saying that Ed brought his
trouble upon himself.
At pm. Laura was admitted to the recep-
ton room Of the annex to bid her brother the
| last farewell. She remained nearly an hour,
and Warden Dyer was obliged to send for her.
When told that this would be the last oppor-
tunlty to say goodbye the most pathetic
scene ever witnessed in the institution followed
ana the strong hearts OF the guards were mo-
mentarily softened and tears were shed by
them. She Historically clasped her brothers
neck, kissing him and calling his name over
and over again. Suddenly she fell from his
arms and caught Guard Stansell around the
neck and arm, nearly overpowering him, but
soon lay quivering and PROSTATE in his sup
port. At this opportunity Blair was removed
to the death cage.
When the young lady realized that he was
gone from her side for ever, she again went into
Mysteries. shrieking wildly for assistance. Her
cries were heard ut the front office I'D assist
ants were sent to bring her from the annex.
She was placed in the warden apartments and a
physician attended her. The prostration was
30 severe that she cannot be taken from the
penitentlary before this afternoon.
The crime for which Blair paid the penalty
with his life was indeed a heinous one and it
was committed while he was fugitive from
justice at Hartsberg, Putnam county, Ohio,
March IL, 1885, Blair was serving seven
years sentence in the OHIO pcnitentiary for
burglary, and il became necessary to take
him out to testify against of his
pals. At Manchester he made a daring
escape from his guards by jumping from the
| Hartsberg, where he had planned to rob the
| station nf which Arthur Henry was agent. The
young agent was summoned to his Office by
Ban, who professed urgent business with him.
When he arrived the two pals, Stout and Shoe
maker. remained On the outside and Blair went
| in. He Immediately pulled his revolver and
demanded that Henry open the safe. He re-
fused and was shot down in cold blood. Blair
went to Petersburg, W. Va, where he was
captured some weeks later. His conviction
speedily followed and the sentence OF death was
passed to be carried out April 20, 1891. He was
respited until June in order to carry his case
to the supreme court and again until August
81 to get it before the pardon board. Each
effort failed and tho murder OF Arthur Henry
is avenged.