Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-17

was darkness. darkness which was intensified
by the almost nt.er silence prevailing. A single
gas jet burned at the entrance to the corridor
in the south wing, in which Seine ders cell was
situa ed. and Just outSide his cell door lantern
was placed the floor. but situated as not
to throw its light into the cell. In small
rocking chair in the corridor. just opposite the
cell door. sat the death watch. placed there to
preserve until the fata hour the life sought to
sindicate the majesty of the law.
THE PRISONERS BROTHER WILL.
The Rev. Mr.. Roberts remained at the door
OF Schneider's cell doing what he could to con-
sole and bring the condemned man to repent
ance until about $50. when Mr.. William
Schneider, the prisoners brother, arrived in
company with Mr.. A. W. Wishard of Indian
Opoiis, Ind. Both went to Schneider cell door
and conversed with him for n little while. Then
Mr.. Wishard left the two brothers together
the officer officiating as the death watch stand
ing beside them The brothers remained in
conversation until 1870, when the Rev. Mr..
Par7on. coming direct from the White House.
brought the intelligence that the President had
n short while before again and for the last time
expressed his determination to interfere in no
way whatever with the course of the law. The
prisoners brother was deeply affected by the
news, which had been received By The STARS
reporter some time previous to Mr.. Parsons
arrival. and it was some time before he could
sufficiently compose himself to BID his unfortu-
REALIZED HIS POSITION.
Schneider undoubtedly realized his position,
for he not only shook hands with his brother,
but also requested him to kiss him goodbye and
give his love TO their mother. The then appar-
entity hopeless man pathetcally beseeched his
brother TO bring Lis mother down to see him in
the morning, and tie grief-stricken brother
left. unable to inform him that their poor
mother would probably never look upon him
again in life. Before leaving the Jail for the
night William Schneider complained bitterly
Of the Presidents action and of the course CT
the prosecution, saying that the case had been
railroaded through and that they had been
given no Chance whatever to SAFE Howard.
NO chance?" inquired Mr.. Parson, but Mr..
Schneider made no reply.
REV. ME. PARsoN TALKS TO SCHNEIDER.
Mr.. Pa-sou then visited the condemned mar
remaining nearly an hour with him conversing
with him upon his spiritual welfare. The min
lister left the prisoner at midnight. promising
to soon return. Before leaving he stated to The
STAR reporter that he had not told Schneider
OF the Presidents final refusal to interfere. He
said that Schneider had listened at:entively to
all he had said to him. and that he had more
hope than ever before Of bringing the miser-
able man to a proper realization of his position,
Early in the evening Guard H. H. Smith,
acting as the death watch, read several selec-
lions OF the Scriptures to Schneider, one of
them being the story Of the prodigal son. The
prisoner paid marked attention TO all he heard
and. at the suggestion OF the officer. repeated
the entreaty, God, have mercy on my soul"
number of times. his voice being distinctly
heard out in the rotunda Of the prison.
He appeared grateful. too, for the kindly in
terest shown in him by the officer, and no less
grateful for the efforts of the colored minister,
Mr.. Roberts. The latter stated to the reporter
OF The STAR that when he prayed for him
Schneider removed his hat and reverently
bowed his head. So. too. when the colored
divine repeated the hymns Rock Of Ages
and The Home OF the Soul"
THE DAWN OF DAY.
When Schneider awoke at 8 o'clock this
morning from his second nap, after resting
three hours, the Rev. Mr.. Parson, who had re-
turned to the Jail an hour before that, at once
went to the cell and drew him into converse
tiou. So engaged was the faithful man of God
and the trembling man beside him when the
rising sun first frightened the eastern horizon
and flashed the dawn Of the young murderer's
last day on earth.
The first sign in the prison of the approach
OF day was the releasing from their cells ct
o'clock o: the prisoners who do duty in the
kitchen. They first prepared . substantial
breakfast for the officers Of the prison, Of which
the Representatives Of the daily press Of the
city also partook, and then the cook began the
preparation Of the prisoners first meal Of tho
day.
By this time, 6 o'clock, it was quite light, and
one by one the hghts were ext,nguished in the
prison. Still the minister and his charge held
their whispered conversation through the grated
iron work OF the cell door, So they con.
versed until $50, when the clergymen left
the doomed man with his death watch.
A few minutes before this the steward Of the
jail prepared piece Of toast and . cup Of tsa