The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-07
GENTLE THEoDoRE's FATE.
He Was a Model Convict and Thought.
full to the Last.
Trom Inc New York Times.

From the New York Times.
The gloomy interior of the Tombs would
give a country sheriff the "creeps" Out
in the west they have a homelike way of
doing business that makes the giving up
Of ones life pleasure as well as duty.
The sheriff is likely to grow sympathetic,
and his good wife takes upon herself the
religious training Of the convict.
There is a story with no affidavit as to
its truthfulness) of one case where the
prisoner was made a member of the
family. The jail was a rickety old affair,
and fears were entertained for the health
of the prisoner if he should be compelled
to occupy it alone. There were no other
prisoners, and he was taken to board, oc-
cupying seat at the family table
He was a mild-manncred lad, and how
he ever worked himself up to kill any,
body was more than people could make
out. 1t appeared that he had shot play
mate with an old gun, and there was evil
deuce 10 show that the murder was cold
bloOded. The Jury felt obliged to convict
him, and TheOdore-that was his name
WIS not the boy to question what had
been decided on. He seemed TO feel that
all had been done for him that was posi-
BILE, and, besides, he felt he owed it to the
sheriff to hold himself ready for the
ordeal
Theodore was one of the least blood
thirsty boys imaginable. His worst vice
was that he was unduly fond of the game
Of croquet. He liked this game very
much, and played nearly every evening
with the wife of the sheriff, but was
always in bed at an early hour so that no
anxiety was ever felt for his safety.
So it went on until the fatal day arrived
for the hanging The youthful murderer
slept well the night before. He was
up early, his face and hands as clean as
could be, and hair nicely brushed. He ate
a good breakfast and then went out with
the sheriff to help him to put up the glib
bet This work out of the way they re-
turned to the house TO await the arrival
of the witnesses.
BY 10 o'clock the twelve good men and
true arrived, and then began the final ar
rangements. None present had ever taken
part in such a strange event. and after
consulting they decided that il would be
the safest way to 90 through with a re-
hearsal They formed a line in the jail,
arranged the knot in the rope and talked
over all that was 10 be said and done.
They stood in the corridor of the Jail and
talked for a time, all feeling horribly de-
pressed with the work in hand.
At last the fatal hour struck, and the
sheriff, with a sigh, picked up the rope.
Then he looked around, and an express
sion of surprise overspread his face. He
Lulllcu 10 inc Witnesses. looked at MS
wife inquiringly. and then said:
why, where is Theodore"
Then everybody in turn asked the same
question. They looked around for a
minute in alarm, and the sheriff had
painful expression on his face, as much as
TO ask his wife,
rs it possible that we have been de-
ceived in this boy}"
AT last however, Theodore came in and
bowed politely TO all present Asked TO
explain his absence, he said he happened
TO think that he had left his croquet mall
let out the night before, and he went to
replace it.; besides, he felt that if he staid
he would only be in the way while they
were arranging matters. The excuse was
considered satisfactory, and Theodore
was once more restored 10 the confidence
Of his friends Eyerythin~ once more be-
ing regular. and the time having arrived,
they took Theodore out and hanged him
70 the best Of their ability.