Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-22
Special Tslecrom 70 he R.qlster.


CHARLES Town, w, VA, September
21.-Harry +. Smooth, who was confined
in jail here awaiting execution for the
murder of Miss Susie o. Ferrells, In
Shepherdstown, an the 21st Of last Jan
uary, committed suicide last night by
taking opium.
He retired at IL o'clock in his usual
health and must have taken the drug
after retiring. There was a guard In
the cell with him all night, and there is
great mystery about the conveyance OF
the poison TO Smooth.
The first intimation the guard had
of anything unusual was about 4o'clock
this morning, when Smooth began TO
breathe heavily. The guard called him
by name twice, and receiving no re-
Spouse took hold of him and shook him,
but could not arouse him. He then called
the iailer. and physicians were sum
moned, but after exhausting ever means
of restoration, they were unable 10 re-
store Smootz, and he died about O'Clock
this morning.
At 10 o'clock the Coroner, David How
ell, empanneled the following jury OF
inquest: S. S. Dalgarn, j. V. Simmons,
w. w. InSkeep, d. A. Phillips, George
II. Flagg and ii. o. Talbot, who, after
being sworn and viewing the body, pro-
ceeded to hear testimony as to the man
ner aud cause OF the prisoners death.
Drs. c. T. Richardson and John L.
Bishop testified that they were summon
ed at o'clock by the jailer and found
Smooth in an unconscious condition
from the effects of an overdose OF opium,
in what form they were unable TO say,
but gave it as their opinion that 1t had
been taken In the form OF morphia.
They administered emetics, ,hyperdermic
injections OF morphia and applied cleo
tricity, but all failed to resuscitate the
prisoner. d. w. Hannah and James
Alban testified that they
HAVE BEEN GUARDING SMOOTH
night and day since the refusal of the
Supreme Court to grant him a new
trial, and mot moment passed that
one or the other was not In the cell
with Smooth. Aban went on duty last
night, and shortly thereafter Smootz
prayed and retired. Before going TO
sleep Smooth complained OF feeling
badly from the effects OF cigarette
smoking. lie enquired OF Alban
whether the execution would be public
and if everybody would be allowed to
come into the jail yard, and said he
hoped the hanging would be private.
The guaru told him he thought 1t
would. Smooth complained Of being
cold in bed and then turned
his face toward the wall and covered
his head with the bed clothes. The
guard thought he had secreted the poi
son in his heavy suit Of hair, as he says
Smooth frequently put his hand upon
his head and pressed his hair. After
lying In this position for few minutes
he turned over and asked the guard for
a drink, and getting the same, turned
over and went TO sleep, after request
ing the guard not 10 make any noise.to
disturb him in his sleep.
Sheriff A. f. Davis and Jailer 5. G.
Young testified that they had been ex-
ceedingly careful In guarding the jail,
and last Friday searched the cell and
prisoner. They allow no one TO see
the prisoner except in their presence or
in the presence OF the guard or attor-
ney. He testified that about three
weeks ago Smootz's sister was allowed
AN HOURS PRIVATE TALK
with him about his spiritual conditio
with the consent OF the prosecuting at
torney, but that the jailer's wife
searched her before she was allowed to
20 inte the CELL When she came out
of the cell she said her brother ought
TO have q pistol to protect himself
against the mob In case the Supreme
Court granted q new trial. Nothing
was allowed to go TO the cell without
the inspection of the jailer, and no food
from the outside was allowed him. Yes
terday Smootz's sister Alice brought
him a box OF eatables, but the jailer re-
fused to let him have them and would
not permit his sister 70 see him. The
strIctest watch was kept in view
of the following letter, which
Smootz wrote Sunday night and re-
auested the guard TO address and mail
TO his sister, but the guard gave the let
ter 10 the Jailer.
SUNDAY September IS.
''T'o alice:
"Write to Laurence prisoners broth
er; druggist just as soon as finishing
reading this. Tell him that last night,
Saturday, took every drop the bottle
contained but IL had no effect whatever
on me. / did not eat my supper, hard
iy, so that ! would not have anything 10
me. Ask him II he cannot put up
something in the form OF pills that will
act quick but long enough 70 let me get
from the window 70 the bed and have q
few minutes TO spare. Something that
will have no odor and send ms CT
quick.
when you come, let Mr.. Il. Baylor.
his counsel know that you want him
to come with you TO see me. BE care
full. Don't speak Of having received
any letters from me at any time. You
came very near letting Mr.. Young know
the other time, when you
SPOKE or TICKET BUSINESS.
Now II yon get anything from 81"
sit On the led, when you come, on my
right side. II you have anything put
II in you,}left hand. Let your hand
fall alons.f my side and put what you
have In II in my pocket BE careful
and try not 70 be afraid and cause them
n spect. Don't seem too anxious
III any one, or for Nr. b 70 come
tvou. Let Julia know about q
bnt be careful and destroy eyf
- even about what ] wrote 20 FL
When you have learned
K good. act quick If be
xfhfno in pills. see II be C