The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-02-21
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR.
James L. stones Last Day on Earth
Hanged in the JeffersonViIIe Prison.

James Z. stones Last Day on Earth
Hanged i'm the JeffersonViIie Prison.
JEFFERSONVILLE, Feb. 16.-Spe-
cial.-Murderer James L. Stone passed
into eternity few minutes after u
o'clock this morning. Warden Patten
complied strictly with the law, as it was
the first execution since the new law
governing murderers to be hung in In
diana penitentiaries. Witnesses to the
execution. which limits them to the war
den. the warden's assistants. the three
directors of the prison, physicians, the
chaplain, the spiritual advisor Of the
condemned, and ten relatives and
friends selected by Stone, was strictly
observed
In addition to DR.. D. c. Peton. the
prison physician, Dr. H. s. Wolff of New
Albany, DR.. T. A. Graham of this city,
ex-prison physician. DR.. J. II. Walker
and DR.. T. B. Scribner of Louisville
were in attendance. Stone having
ahiliated with the methodist episcopal
church denomination, the Rev. Chester
Tinsley, assisted by the Rev. II. w. Nc
Kane. pastor Of the Christian church, adj
ministered spiritual consolation to the
condemned.
Several weeks ago Stone gave to
Warden Patten a list of those whom he
wanted to be present, and the following
are the names Of those he invited:
John H. Spencer, Stones lawyer;
Sheriff j. G. Lemming, Undertaken NJ.
l.. Bonham. p. II. Ragsdale, Nelson
Gregory. John Ward. A. Palmer. Wash
ington A. Kester all Of Daviess county.
The list included none of his relatives.
Those named heard the murderer's last
words, as did Directors Floyd Parks,
w. NJ Lyons and Ernest H. Pickhardt.
Guards Mike Campbell and J. T. Cal
braith were selected to assist Warden
Patten.
Yesterday morning Undertaken Bon
ham Of Washington. whom Stone select
ed to take charge of his remains. arrived
at the penitentiary with coffin which
was extremely plain in appearance.
There was no Our Father or Rest in
Peace" silver plate on the lid, but a
plain, everyday. unpretentious recep-
tacle for a victim of the rope.
Stone passed an apparently cheerful
daV He partoOk of an excellent dinner,
and appeared decidedly communicative
to his spiritual advisor. DR.. Tinsley, who
was closeted with him in his cell the
greater part of the time Aside from
the minister, the warden and deputy
warden and the death watch, no one
visited him. He maintained TO the last
that the angels in heaven awaited his
coming; that his crimson stained hands
had been washed in the blood of the
lamb: that he had made his peace with
God and man, and he awaited with for
| titude the time for his execution.
Stone was clad in a new suit of
clothes. was in perfect health. and when
the hour of II o'clock. midnight ar
rived he was taken from his cell adjoin-
ing the execution room to the scaffold
with firm step. He was accompanied
| by Warden Patten. When Stone took
| his position on the drop there stood in
his presence on the upper platform
| Warden Patten. four guards. the
| directors Of the prison and ten assistants
| to the guards. Deputy Warden John S.
Howard. together with several assist
ants. were stationed below the upper
| platform.
After Stone had been pinioned with
five-eighths of an inch leather straps at
| his ankles, above the knees. around the
waist. wrists and arms pinioned behind
| his back. tho gruesome black cap. with
| it's dangling aprons placed securely
| over tho head. and the moose. with lis
hideous looking hangman's knot. careful
| " placed around the neck, the con-
| demned was ordered by Warden Patten
to right about and face the cast. AS
| the command was obeyed the selected
few spectators. who were present i'm
compliance with the law. stood in awe
at what was 10 come.
Warden patten cool and collected that
he is and realizing the duties that were
before him. took his position to the left
of the condemned. placed his left foot
on the death trap, and i'm an instant
after stone was dangling in the air.
IL was noticed at once that Stones
neck was broken. and al the expiration
| of seventeen minutes after the trap fell
the inhumall wretch was pronounced