The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-25
ONLY FIVE DAYS TO LIVE.
Sammy Thorpe, The Boy Murderer, TO
Hang Friday.

As Yet He Has Embraced No Relis-
ion, and Seems Hardened as Far as
His Future Is Conference.-The Hates
to Die so Young, and Cries When the
Gallows Is Mentioned-A New Rope
to Be Used in the Execution.
This is Sammy Thorpe's last Sunday on
earth. The condemned boy murderer has
only five days to live, but as yet he has
expressed no desire for spiritual consola-
ton, and the Jail guards have about be-
gun thinking ''de kid" means to go to his
death in the gallows room without min
isterial attention.
This, indeed, would be a strange thing
for cOlored murderer to do.
Generally they nerve themselves for
weeks before the awful day with religious
fervor, almost bordering on fanaticism.
and give dramatic exhibitions when
making final preparations for death of
their belief in future salvation Thorpe.
however, so far, has proved an exception
to his race. Although the colored minis
tiers who daily visit the Jail have talked
to Thorpe about his salvation and the ne
COooAVJ VI 4AAuhAAA2 pNdGJ NAbAl LIS NlOu lOE
the crime he committed, the boy
murderer has never given them any en-
enlargement to tender their services.
DEATH HIS ONLY FEAR.
He listens to the ministers in q listless
way while they talk of heaven and its
happiness, but when they touch on the
question of the gallows' death, Thorpe
turns his head away and tries to force
back the tears which despite his attempts
to check them, well up in his eyes.
Sometimes when the Guards talk to
him Thorpe seeks their sympathy by
asking if it is not hard to have to die so
young. The only regret he seems to have
for killing Charles Brinson is the fact
that the crime will bring his own life to
sudden and fearful termination.
Sheriff Roman thinks Thorpe will en-
brace some religion before Friday. He
believes the boy has some foolish hope
that he may escape the gallows, but when
he makes up his mind that all hope is
gone, which is the present situation of
affairs, he will turn to religion for final
consolation.
THoRPE's GRAVE SUIT.
Thorpes last suit of clothes will be pur-
chased for him this week at the countys
expense, but he will not be allowed to
don them until the morning of the exc
cution and his first and last opportunity
toishow them will be in his short march to
death through the dark and gloomy cor
rider. Thorpe, at the time of killing Brin-
son, was a jaunty sport who took great
pride in decking himself in good clothes,
but he will hardly appreciate the free
suit given him by the county in view of
the circumstances surrounding the gift,
nor is he likely to put on any jaunty airs
when he gets the clothes on.
Sheriff Roman will get new rope for
Thorpes execution. The remnant of the
one which launched Gus Williams into
eternity last year is not long enough for
the approaching job and a new Manila
rope will be bought in day or two and
prepared for its CHASTITY mission.
PREPARING THE ROPE.
This preparation consists of a greasing
and stretching process to tougher it, after
which it is tested with weights. The
order for the black cap has been placed
The hanging viii probably take
place between nine and ten o'clock,
Friday morning. 1t will be as private as
possible for such affairs, and it is useless
for morbidly curious people to worry the
sheriff with requests for passes. Only
those who receive an order of court will
be allowed to see the execution, and this
list will include only newspaper men and
three physicians.