Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-09
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
Prisoners in the Jail Who Have Fear of
The Scafold.
Two Men Already Convicted ana Sen.
tenced-Other Occupants of Muir.
derers' Row-Latest Arrfvals.

There are now confined in the District
jail about seventy persons who are to be
tried In the Criminal Court this winter, and
the number Is rapidly increasing. Among
this number there are several crooks who
have been over the road before as well a s
some others who will take their first trim
to New York at the expense of the govern
ment In the corridors where the grand
jury prisoners hold forth the cells were
locked when a reporter visited the prison
yesterday afternoon. while numerous petty
offenders were taking their daily exercise
through the corridors. 1t was about dinner
time, and a toot Of the whistle took the
men to their cells to get In readiness for
their afternoon meal The prisoners had
their choice of meat or fish. served In the
tin boxes. and most Of them ate the prison
food with a relish calculated to tempt one
not in the habit Of eating such food.
Even the persons in the burglars and
murderers' cells seemed to be thoroughly
satisfied with their lot in life. Some rested
on their beds and read papers. while others
make their cells present a neat appear
ance. Still others conversed with their
fellow-prisoners on topics Of interest only
To BE Hanged.
The saddest Of them were William Hardy
under sentence OF death for the murder of
Peter H. Young on Capitol Hill more than
a year ago. This crime was one Of the
most atrocious events in the annals Of
crime in this city in many years. The VIC
tim was an inoffensive and wel-thought-of
citizen. On the night of July q OF last year
he was followed by several negroes, among
whom were the prisoners. A club was used
In the killing Of Mr.. Young, and the muir
dprerS then took what he had and
escaped. Their arrest was the result OF a
clever piece Of detective work on the part
Of the precinct officers, and their convtc-
ton followed. They are now under SEN
tence of death. January II next being the
time set for their execution. The case Is
still pending In court on q motion for o
new trial.
Schneiaer's Successor.
On the sth day Of June Elijah Barton was
admitted to the prison on a charge OF muir.
der. He is at present occupying a cell in
which numerous murderers have been con.
fined and from which Howard Schneider
went to the scaffold. Elijah belonged near
Benning and one night he had q row with
Thomas Brown. The latter il now the &C.
cupant Of grave in a local cemetery, q
pick handle in the hands Of Barton having
done its deadly work.
Five days after he was admitted Thomas
Crumpton walked over the door sill and was
led to a cell in ''murderers row." He fig
ured in a one-sided row in South Washing
ton one bright Sunday morning. Liquor
was said to have figured largely in the az
fair, and Tom went home and got a re-
volver. He returned to the scene of the
trouble, and a bullet from his weapon ended
the earthly existence Of David Shanklin.
Later Prisoners.
The next person admitted was ]. e. Shoe
maker. who figured In the Tenleytown
tragedy last Sunday morning. He feeli
more keenly than the others the serious.
ness of his position. and he has but little
to say to persons about the jail.
Joseph Grinder, the South Washington
grocer was the last one received, and he
too, occupies q cell in the corridor VIII. re
the others are incarcerated. AS published
in The Star only a few days ago, he II
charged with having killed his eight-year-
old son last Sunday by knocking him down
and fracturing his skull.
The prisoners Barton and Crumpton arr
under Indictment and II is thought tina,
their cases will be heard this month In the
Criminal Court.
In the cases Of Shoemaker and Grinder
the witnesses will be before the grand jury
in few days and the jail oficials hope
their cases will be disposed OF and that al
some time before the close Of winter the
jail will be free Of persons accused OF TAX.
ing human life.