Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-17
LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
Apparently Some Restful Sleep-Eforts OF
Schneider's Spiritual Advisers.

LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
Apparently Some Restful Sleep-EHOrts of
Schneider's Spiritual Advisers.
The story of Howard ]. Schneider's last night
on earth was an uneventful one in most re-
spects for it was passed are the last nights
on earth of most condemned criminals--in
sleep and in conversation with relatives, clergy
men and the dreaded death watch.
As the light of day gave way to that of night
Schneider threw himself down upon his narrow
cot and at 715 dropped asleep. sleeping for
forty minutes. After this short rest Schneider
awoke to remain awake until shortly after mid
night, when he again threw himself, without
removing his clothing, upon his cot, soon fall
ing into apparently restful sleep, which lasted
until just as the clock struck 8.
APPARENTLY REsTFUL SLEEP.
His slumbers were apparently peaceful II
he dreamed it must have been pleasant dreams,
for his chest moved regularly and easily and
he gave no sign of the thoughts of his last to-
morrow and its horrible ending by the fatal
rope. Perhaps he was again lover at the side
Of that sweet. gentle girl who gave him her
young love and heart, and who, though dis
carded, shot to death by him. had, when giving
up her life. remembered HIM and had whis-
pered to those about her: When l am dead let
my husband see my body, for it may be the
means Of reforming him
But though his sleep was rest, though his
dreams were of peace and happiness, his awak-
lEg was the taking of another step toward the
waiting scaffold and the plunging INTO eternity.
Yet horrible as was the awakening. almost
total unconcern and indifference marked his
conduct. But the hours remaining to him
rapidly passed away, that unconcern and indif
ference grew less marked and il was whispered:
He Is breaking down at last. Soon he will
throw aside the mask he has worn SO long"
THE coLoRED EVANGELIST.
Shortly after Schneider awoke from his short
nap the colored evangelist, the Rev. John
Roberts, who had been requested by Schneider
to call 10 see him. arrived at the Jail ard spens
the night there. On his arrival he went almost
Immediately 10 the mans cell. and for quite
awhile talked and prayed with him. Mr..
Roberts also repeated number OF HYMNS and
read several selections of Scripture to him.
soMBER PICTURE.
The great prison was shrouded in almost total
darkness, the immense rotunda being dimly
lighted by few Pickering gas jets. All else
was darkness. a darkness which was intensified
by the almost inter silence prevailing. A single
gas jet burned at the entrance to the corridor
in the south wing, in which Schneider 8 cell was
situa, ed. and just outside his cell door lantern
was placed on the floor, but so situated as not
10 Il-ut lulO inc CELL III n eIll:ill
rocking chair in the corridor. just opposite the
cell door. sat the death watch. placed there to
preserve until the fatal hour the life sought to
indicate 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
opolIs Ind Both went to Schneider cell door
and conversed with him FOR 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 1890. when the Rev. Mr..
Parson. 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
prisoner brother was deeply affected by the
news, which had been received by The STARS
reporter some line previous 10 Mr.. Parsons
, arrival, and it was some time before he could
sufficiently compose himself to bid his unfortu-
nate brother farewell.
REALIZED HIS POSITION.
Schneider undoubtedly realized mis- 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-
emily hopeless man pathetically beseeched his
brother TO bring his mother down to see him in
the morning, and the grier-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
nigh. William Schneider complained bitterly
of the Presidents action and of the course of
the prosecution. saying that the case had been
railroaded through and that they had been
given no chance whatever to save Howard.
NO chance?" inquired Mr.. Parson, but Mr..
Schneider made no reply.
EEv. NIB. PAEsoN TALKS TO scHNKIDEx.
/ Mr. Parson then visited the condemned man,
remaining nearly 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 attentively to
all be had said to him, and that he had more
| hope than eyer before OF bringing the miser-
able man to proper realization Of his position.
| Early in the evening Guard H. H. Smith,
| acting the death watch, read several selec-
| tons 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, Mt the suggestion OF the officer. repeated
the entreaty, ''God, have mercy on my soul, u
| number Of times. mis- 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 rsverently
bowed his head. So. too. when the eolored
divine repeated the hymns sRock Of Ago.
and Tho Home OF the Soul"
TIE DAWN OF DAT.
| When Schneider swoks ct O'Clock this
morning from his second nap, after resting
threo hours tn Raw Mr. Paraon Vim lad r..