The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-22
SINGING HIS LAST HYMNS.
WILLIAMS SPENDING HIS TIME IN
SONG AND PRAYER.

The Condemned Murderer to be
Make a Statement Before His Exc
cution- He Leads the Other Prison
ers in Weird Music-His Last Nights
Sleep Sound and Undisturbed.
Gus Williams, who viii hang this morn
ing in the Jail for August W. Meyers
murder last January, spent his last night
on earth preparing for the other world.
he prayed and sang hymns in his cell until
after 10 o'clock and then retired for his final
sleep. His impending fate didn't prevent
him from sleeping soundly. His slumbers
were as peaceful as II he had years to live
and the guard who dreaded leisurely up
and down the corridor in front OF Williams
cell saw no sign Of disturbance about the
condemned man.
Williams was trying TO make up yester-
day for his lack Of religious preparation
since bis sentence was passed. He never
made up his mind to accept any kind Of
spiritual consolation until Tuesday, when
he requested Rev Alexander Harria TO pre-
pare him for his death. Since that time
Williams has talked OF nothing but religion
and yesterday his zealousness increased.
After breakfast he began his religious ex-
ercises aud prayed aloud for several hours,
concluding with the humming of hymns.
MAKING UP FoR LOST TIME.
After eating an unusually hearty dinner,
he resumed his devotions, and for a couple
of hours he made the jail an interesting
place for an outsider. Williams put his face
against the bars of his cell door and led OF
with hymn of his own composition. which
ran on this order: II am going to meet my
father in the morning." II am going to
tn
going TO my shroud In the
morning" After each sentence all
the prisoners in the main corridor
Joined in a refrain: Don't grieve after me.
and the Lord says don't you grieve
after me-" The song was sung in a low
tone With peculiar musical effect, which
made it sound very impressive. Above the
sounds of the chorus voices Williams tenor
came out clearly leading the song in a
platntive way, showing that despite his re-
ligious enthusiasm the condemned man was
grieving. The singing was kept up for two
hours and could be plainly heard in the
street. IL didn't come TO a conclusion
until the arrival of Rev. Harris
at o'clock when all the prisoners became
toe so az not to disturb the man preparing
to meet his fate, and the minister giving
him the consultations Of religion.
TO MAKE A STATEMENT TODAY.
A MORNING NEWS reporter asked Will
1iams II ne desired to make any statement
and he replied: mo sir, not to-day ex-
cept Pm Innocent. Come around In the
morning before the execution and I'll tell
you all want TO say"
Jim Gay, who was to have been hanged
to-day with Williams, but got stay of
proceedings, occupies the cell next to him
and directly adjoining the gallows room.
He Ia considerably cast down over the
svents peceding Williams execution and is
extremely nervous, probably from the fact
that he realizes that in a short time similar
preparations will be in progress to swing
him off.
The execution will take place, probably,
about 1890 o'clock this morning. Williams
expects his father from North Carolina on
the early morning train to bid him farewell
and take charge OF bis body.