Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-15
The President Thoroughly Goes Over
the Papers in Schneider's Case.
APPEALS MADE TODAY,
But MI. Cleveland Refuses Them-The
"Death Watch" Set on the Condemned
Mantle Will BE Closely Guarded From
Now Until His Execution.

plored by Schneider's mother and sisters to
prefer a request to the President, and he was
constrained by their grief to at least commun-
icate their petition. which he would do, but
without recommendation
They had asked him to request the President
to grant them an audience.
COULD NOT GRANT THE REQUEST.
The President replied that he could not grant
their request for an audience, as il would not
affect the condemned mans case in any man
ner and that an interview with him could not
result to their benefit or relief in the least
Mr.. Oates said he had anticipated this reply
and would not attempt to question its wisdom.
Mr.. Oates had declined to add his own inter-
cession to their appeal for executive clemency
In Schneiders behalf. although he had been re-
quested to do SO by the family.
Private Secretary Thurber was asked by a
STAR reporter today what action had been
taken in the Schneider case. He replied that
he would be obliged to refer that inquiry to
Mr. Mattingiy, the attorney of the condemned
man.
THE LAW MUST TAKE ITS COURSE.
Later it was learned from the President that
Schneider's case had received his thorough at
tention.
The President was engaged in looking through
the papers last night and until nearly o'clock
this morning. Every phase of the case had
been reviewed and the President decided that
he could not interfere with the execution of
the sentence, but would allow the law to take its
course.
sCHNEIDERs SPIRITUAL ADVISER.
Early this morning Schneider's spiritual ad
wiser called upon the President and secured an
interview before the rush of callers set in. He
entreated the President to grant Schneider
clemency and intimated that the convicted man
had not had time to prepare himself spiritually
for his approaching end.
IF you will pledge me your honor that such
is the case l may consider the advisabihty Of
giving him few days"
The pledge was not given, however, and the
interview closed with this.
THE DEATH WATCH SET.
Howard ]. Schneider late yesterday after
noon was given the most direct intimation
Of the short lease OF life remaining to him
that he had apparently yet received when
at o'clock what is known as the death
watch" was placed over him. Unless the Pres
ldent interferes through . respite this watch
over the condemned man will not be relaxed
until the march to the scaffold is taken up next
Friday morning.
The death watch" is the placing Of an Off
Ger OF the prison just outside the cell of the
doomed man, where the official, from his posi-
ton, may see through the open iron work of
the cell door every movement of the
prisoner. This watch of the man will be
continued dav and night, the officers being
relieved every hour or SO. Following the pre-
ceden. set by his predecessor. Warden Croker,
Warden Burke will hereafter permit Schneider
to be interviewed only in the presence of an
officer of the Jail. and the privilege of
holding such interviews in the Office of the
prison will hereafter be refused, no exception
being made even in the case Of the family OF
the prisoner. so a reporter OF THE STAB was in
fCrv, ,ad hxrW orla Deal
NO FOOD FROM OUTSIDERS.
The warden also informed the reporter that
hereafter no food brought to Schneider from
the outside, by his family or by any one else,
will be allowed to be partaken of by him. but
that the man will have prepared for
him by the steward of the Jail any
reasonable delicacies which he may desire. The
wretched man was carefully searched yesterday,
as was his cell, that he might not have concealed
anything with which a desperate man might
injure himself or others.
The cards OF admission to witness the execu-
ton authorized to be issued by the warden of
the Jail were sent out yesterday afternoon, and
as the full number authorized by law
was issued the warden stated that I'M
der no circumstances would be issue additional
ones. No person will be admitted to the
prison unless such a card is presented. Under
the sentence imposed upon Schneider he will
be hanged between the hours Of 8 am. and IL
m. Everything is in readiness for the execu-
ton; the rope has been tested and the drop
placed in perfect working order.
As stated in yesterdays STAR, the informa-
ton that the Supreme Court had refused to in
terfere In his case was impaired to Schneider
shortly after the decision was rendered by one
OF the Jail officials, the prisoners only comment
being: 60 away. Don't bother me-
SCHNEIDER REFUSED TO TALK
Schneider was seen in his cell yesterday after
noon by STAR reporter, but the man refused
to say anything whatever. He was found sit
ting on the end Of his cot at his cell
door smoking a cigar. He was bent for
ward, his left elbow resting on his knee.
The cigar WAS held in his left hand, his right
put the cigar in his mouth and lazily
pulled away at it he appeared TO be in deep
thought and apparently totally unconcerned as
to any matter whatever. An old SLOUGH hat
was pulled down well over his ewes and he was
dressed in rather shabby clothing. His hair has
been trimmed, but not his beard. his general
appearance being somewhat improved in con-
sequence. When told by Deputy Warden Russ q
few days ago that his hair must be cut Schneider
stoutiy resisted for a time. but wnen he
found that he must he submitted without any
further remonstrances. Such, too. was the
case when informed several DAYS ago that he
must submit to bath. After his attack upon
Mr.. Russ Monday afternoon Schneider relapsed
into his sulien, quiet state, making TO reference
to the affair." 1t is believed by the Jail officials
that when the man is told that no hope what
ever remains to him that he will suffer a total
collapse and that it will BE- necessary to carry
him to the scaffold.
TOLD OF THE PRESIDENTS REFUSAL
Schneider was informed that the President
had refused to interfere in his case shortly
after noon today by one OF his fellow-prisoners,
who had been instructed to do SO by Deputy
Warden Russ. Calling Schneider to him, the
man shook hands with him and said: How
ard, the President has declined to do anything
for you"
As the man said this Schneider's hand fell
and his lip quivered, but the only reply he
made was: "An right" Then be requested to
see Mr.. Strong, one Of the guards, for whom he
has been repeatedly asking all day. But the
officer was not on duty. and Schneider was so
told. The wretched man then asked for a
match and lighting cigar walked away to the
end OF his cell.
REFUSED RELIGIOUS CONSOLATION.
few minutes previous to this Rev. Mr..
Stakely, pastor OF the First Baptist Church,
went to schneider's cell for the pur-
pose Of offering him religious consola-
ton. Schneider refused to talk. however, except
in relation to his invention, and then re-
peated the story that people were bothering
him and would not let him sleep. The minister
did not succeed in his efforts and after few
minutes reluctantly left the man.