Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-09-23
HOW DID HE GET THE POISON e?

two weeks from to-day.
Ever since the Supreme Court had re-
fused to grant him new trial SmooZ
had been in a different frame of mind
from that which he usually exhibited.
He lost his apparent indifference, and
became greatly interested in the events
relating to his own position. He talked
4 great deal of his approaching execu-
ton. He was particularly anxious to
know whether it would be public or pri-
vatc, and said he hoped it would be pri-
vate.
When the adverse decision of the SUI
preme Court was announced on Tuesday
of last week, the death watch was placed
over Smooth, and day and night guard
occupied his cell. No one was allowed
to see him from that time.
Tuesday night Smootz retired about
II o'clock, with James Albin guarding
him. He said his prayers before he got
into bed. He talked freely with the
guard, mostly about his execution. He
said lie felt badly, probably from hay
ing smoked too many cigarettes during
the day. He said he felt chilly, and
drew the bed-clothes over his head. 1t
was at that time it is believed, that he
took the poison. Presently he asked
for drink of water. After he had got
ten it he requested the guard to make
no noise, and asked him to take off his
shoes if he should move around any i'll
the cell. Then he turned his face to
the wall and entered into the sleep
from which he never awoke.
About O'Clock Smooth Strengthened
himself out i'll bed. At 4 O'Clock i'll the
morning he turned again, and Albin no.
ticed that he was breathing very heavi-
". Efforts to arouse him were futile,
and the guard, becoming alarmed, at
once aroused Tailor S. c. Young. Mr..
Young sent for DrS. c. 7. Richardson
and J. p. Bishop, who reached the Jail at
5 O'Clock. They discovered that Smootz
was in a comatose condition from NOR
phia. The physicians used every means
to resuscitate him, but it was useless.
They shocked him with electricity, gave
him hyperdermic injections and emctics,
and whirrcu him with towels, but all 10
nc purpose. He died between $50 and
9 o'clock Wednesday morning, never
having recovered consciousness. Coro.
ner David Howell summoned the follow.
ing jury of inquest DR.. J. V. Simmons,
George H. Flag, w. w. Inskeep, S. S.
Dalgarn, d. \. Phillips and H. O. Tai
bolt James Albin, the guard, testified
to the facts related above, and Drs.
Richardson and Bishop as to their efforts
to revive him.
d. w Hannah, another guard, testi-
fed: Have been employed as guard to
Smooth since July Ist. From that date
up to the recent decision of the Court of
Appeals my duty was to sit out on the
porch i'll rear Of the cell and see that
the prisoner was i'll his cell and that
everything was all right. Since the de-
cision Of the high court my duty was 10
stay in cell with prisoner and see that
he held communication with no one or
did himself no injury. My watch was
usually at night, except l was off Tues
day night, when l was relieved by Mr.
Albin at half past ten. Smooth talked
less to me Tuesday than usual; he spent
his time i'll smoking cigarettes and ap,
peared to be in deep study, but he had
talked a good deal with prisoner in an
adjoining cell during the day.
Jailor Young and Sheriff Albert +
Davis we've examined. They testified
that they had used every precaution to
prevent the prisoner from doing harm
to himself or receiving anything that
might be used by him in such an attempt
Since Monday morning they had beer
doubly cautious for this reason: Or
Sunday Smootz wrote letter to his sis
ter Alice, which he gave to Guard Han
nah and asked that it might be mailed
Tailor Young had seen Smootz writing
and when he questioned Hannah abou
It the latter turned the letter over t
him. The following is copy of the let
ter:
SUNDAY.
ALICE: Write to Lawrence as soon 4!
finishing reading this; tell him that las
night, Saturday, l took every drop the
bottle contained, but that it had no eff
feet whatever OH me. l did not eat any
supper hardly, so that would not have
ANYTHING i'll me- Ask him if he cannot
put something up i'll the form of a pill
that will act quick, but long enough tc
let ME get from the window to the bee
and have few minutes to speak; some
thing that will leave no odor, and SenC
to you quick. When you come let Mr..
B. know that you want him to come with
you to see me. Be careful; don't speak
of having received letter from me Al
any time. You came very near letting
Mr.. Yonug know the other time when
you spoke of the ticket business. Now
if YOU get anything from L. set on the
bed when you come on my right side.
If you have anything get it in your left
hand. Let your hand fall along my side
and put what you have in it in pocket
Be careful and try not to be afraid and
cause them to suspect. Don't seem too
anxious before any one for Mr.. B. to
come with you. Let Julia know about
the bottle. Be careful and destroy any
thing even about what wrote to Emma
after you have learned it good.
HARRY.
Act quick.
If you can't get something in pills see
if you can't put something i'll capsules;
as l take pill every night, they would
not be noticed.