Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-23
THE sC,rFOLD Is READY NOW.
GnIIoyys for Nicboins Put Ip-The
Murderer Joins the Church.

The sclrfold on which Philip Norman
Nicholas is 10 hang thursday STANDS, grlm'
gaunt. and CHASTITY. in the driveway in
rear OF the county courthouse. Ii was
erected yesterday morning. and all IS now
i'm readiness for the execution Of the muir
darer Of the two men-Milis and Wilkin-
scn.
Nothing has yet been heard from the
Governor "a tO whether he viii grant
Nicholas reprieVe or commute ms s-n-
t.nce. The general impression Is that his
t,xceAency will not interfere.
Nicholas is very indignant because Of
the rpprint I'm Sundays Dispatch OF the
review OF his case by Judge Harrison, and
appesrs 10 think that his chance Tor OBJ
tanning Executive clemency have been ma
tertatly lesseurd thereby. When a Dis
match reporter called on the prisoner yes
terday morning he was coldiy received.
and beyond the usual salutation Nicholas
would have nothing 20 say. The reporter
questioned him as 10 his health ana con-
corning his hopes for clemency. but 10
each interfogatory the condemned man
turned n deaf car and refused 10 give an
swer Daring the entire time OF the re-
porter's visit Nicholas paced his cell 10
and from and hummpd plautiVe air lie
seems to be in perfect health and enjoys
"a hearty appetite. but he Is exceedingly
nervous. and grows more and more rest
less daily. Judge Wickhlm has issued or
icrs to ne jailer 20 permit no one, other
than his family. ministers. and porters
10 see him. and hence be is kept almost in
solitude. over 90 people called at the
iaD sunday and tried 10 get access TO his
cell. but 10 all Deputy Fuss Il had 10 close
the door. a Mrs. Bond sent Nicholas a
shirt and collar and crIVat yesterday, 10
q "a him lt. his gkHFU-
tie.
The condemned man has been baptized
and received into the Catholic Church by
Rev. rather Welbcrs. OF ST. Joseph's
church
prior to the Hopkins execution the
Franciscan Sisters connected with St
Joseph. church frequently visited tn
condemned negro and talked with him.
Nicholas. whose cell aijoned the negro g,
always listened dttentively To the conv'r-
saticns between the Sisters and Hopkins.
and was very much Impressed with them.
4 short tir ago be ecp~esi 'tsiTe
10 ioih the Catholic Church. and Sunday
morning Father Welbers went down 10 the
county iail by the condemned mans APP
nointuent and received him into the
church and baptized him condtionally he
having previously been baptized i'm another
denomination. MIR. Thomas Alexander
acted as sponsor.
After the ceremony Nicholas cried for
SOV AND EXPRESSED his readiness 70 dte,
q1ying ~ was perfecNy wiling 70 meet
his CyeNtov. Next Thursday mdrutug mdss
win be celebrated by Father Welbers on
an improylseI altar in the condemned
mans cen. when Nicholas Will receive
communion. II is expected that a chorus
from the Neon Union will sing at the
mass Bishop Van de Vyver VIII visit
Nicholas on Wednesday. Th- Franciscan
Sisters called al the county JAN and talked
with Nicholas and prayed with him yes
terday.
According 10 the baptismal rites OF the
Catholic Clurch. the candidate Is required
to make q profession Of faith after the
pouring OF water on MS head by the
priest. and then a confession Of all his
sins. after which he receives the absolu-
Z t.Au