The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-01-28

Star, the Ecery EUeHjig, the Morning
Nelcs, of Wilmington, the WING, Ne1cs
and Democrat of Elkton, with several
others mixing up company as stated Of
about thirty persons.
The ply sicians attending, and who
assisted DR. lamar were: Drs. Z. B.
Housekeeper, of North + asst; aud DR..
James A. Peoples of Lancaster CO., Pa.
1t is but justice to state, that StOut's
counsel were assiduous in their atten-
tions to him, and ths sheriff and his
officials including Mrs. Nc Kenney the
wife of the sheriff, showed the prisoner
every consideration and kindness.
The streets of Elkton at no time Our
iug the day indicated any unusual event,
except in the immediate vicinity CT the
| Jail where crowd numbering $50 per.
sons had assembled, and awaited the
information of the execution having
taken place There were 10 objection
disorder, and the provisions OF the law
as TO the privacy of the execution, were
conscientiously and decorously observed.
HIS LAST DAY.
Mr.. Calvin p. Merritt completed the
scaffold on "Wednesday night and remov
ing it to the Jail yard began its erection
on Thursday morning. II was the usual
structure of hemlock, the platform being
Gx75 feet, with height OF s! feet from
| the ground, the cross beam to which the
rope was attached being = feet above
the platform, the trap DOR b5ing 4S3!
feet. The structure was located on the
south side of the Jail yard. While being
erected large number of persons passed
through the open gate into the yard and
viewed it curiously. While the crowd
outside gazed at the scatfold, and the
| ring of the carpenters hammers was
resounding through the corridors of the
prison, Stout bearing seemingly as
| contented manner as ever, quietly sat
III his cell on the north gallery.
At one O'Clock his counsel Messrs,
Thackery aud Cro5hers accompanied by
the Rev l. L. Wood called to see him
and remained some time with him in bis
cell Mr., Wood eXhorted him elOquently,
begging him to remember that his peace
with man must precede his peace with
God, only to be ans wered by Stout that
he was al innocent n an, had made his
peace with his Maker aud was prepared
TO die. This was the las visit paid him
by Mr.. Wood aud he b,ds him final
farewell.
His father. sister and two brothers
also visited him, with whom he had an
affecting interview. Later in the day
the Rev. E. w. Scott, the Rev. J. h..
Wootten. of Chesapeake City, visited
him, Stout requesting Mr.. Scott to
attend him at the soatfold. Earlier in
the day Father Qujgley, OF the Elkton
Catholic Church went 10 see him.
At twilight on Thursday evening the
Eikton Jail was as quiet as any private
residence in the town. A bright electric
lamp Immediately before the doomed
mans cell door. cast its pale rays into
its recesses, while Sheriff McKenney ard
his faithful deputy j. Harvey Mackey
kept alternate watches during the long
night.
PROTEsTATIoNS OF INNOCENCE.
Dnr;pr b;s confinement Sinca Fahruarv
End, 1891, Stout has displayed re-
markabls indifference, and even the
approach of his execution apparently
had little effect upon him, until Wodnes
day afternoon last when visited By the
Rev. |. L. Wood, pastor OF the NJ. E
Church, he gave some signs of weaken
ing, and appeared impressed by the
seriousness of his position. At the time
number of visitors were in the Jail and
their presence had the effect Of restrain
ing him. SEATED hy his side in the
narrow cell, the minister endeav0red to
reveal to him the vital Importance of a
confession if he were guilty, and offered
him every consolation. The condemned
man however did not seem inclined to
make any statement, aud when further
urged to confess replied, "Mr. Wood,
YOU seem to doubt my word | have
told you all along that l am innocent.
This was said in a half reseBtful manner,
an evidence that his mind was in a state
of unrest At the close of his visit Mr..
Wood stated that he confidently believed
he would make confession, but while
he manifested signs of weakness then, he
again assumed the air of Indifference
which had characterize him.
He was visited by large number OF
persons, including many ladies, on We'd
| nesday, and appeared to enjoy seeing
them. He was always ready to talk,
| and laughed and chatted unconcernedly.
| An incident occurred during the after
| noon that shows he was sensitive and
| of bad temper. He was out in the
corridor in charge of au officer, when a
half witted prisoner in passing him
| remarked about his being a murderer,
This be resented instantly and i, was
only by physical force that he was
prevented from iDjuring the man. o.
another occasion he made similar
attack upon one of the other inmates
He was au obedient prisoner and always
acted courteously toward the officer!
however He was kindly treated By tbs
officials, and Mrs. McKenney was partic
ularly painstaking in preparing his fooc
to select eatables which he enjoyed
When interviewed by the WING re
porter in the morning, Stout was attiret
in cotton shirt, mixed pants, ant
wore heavy shoes. Leaning against tn
latticework iron door of his cell on th,
upper tier ON the north side of the jail
he greeted the newspaper man pleasant.
and to a query replied that he ha:
enjoyed a refreshing nights sleep, ant
felt we'll His case is a remarkable one
and his action toward the ministers VIII
labored faithfully in his behalf onl
tended to increase tho mystery. Will
he has always received them respectful
his manners have suggested that l.
regards their efforts as being only t
wiring a confession from him. Conse
auently he was guarded, and did no
converse with them freely. He proiesse
to feel saved" although he made Il
demonstration of a change of heart. i
manner at least,
His other spiritual advisers were
, Rev. William Sohouler, pastor of th
Protestant Episcopal Church; Rev. G. Z