The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-06-22
WITHOUT A STRUGGLE.
Horace Cooper the COlOred Muir
derer of Maggie Pitts, ExpiateS
His Crime.
MEETS DEATH BRAVELY.
His Execution at the ElktOn Jail Sue
cesSfully Carried Out-He Pre-
feSSeS Conversion.

his mistress a,Sie Pitts, paid the death
penalty of his erin = at the Elkton Jail, Friday
Yesterday, afternoon. The drop fell at 1.23
O'Clock and in II minutes the condemned man
passed to his judgment.
The law had been carried out with dignity
and the last scene in the murder case
which had been impartially tried at the
March term of court-was at an end.
The scaffold was erected in the south jail
ward, and where the high gray granite walls
completely obscured it from the view OF those
without 1t was of the pattern used in the
execution of Alfred Stout, in January, 1893,
and did its work effectively. The builder
Calvin Merritt had the instrument of death
in readiness on Thursday night and on Fri
day morning placed the structure in place
The execution was private-the witnesses
numbering 80 persons.
THE MARCH TO DEATH.
Att o'clock Sheriff White asked the wit
nesses to pass into the Jail yard, and Cooper
was left alone with the ministers.
l.1O o'clock the procession came out of
the Jail and down the stone steps into the
ward. First walked the three ministers Revs.
Grinnage, Chew and Coleman.
Then came Sheriff White. Next walked
the condemned man with nerve and steady
gait. assisted by Deputy Sheriff Mackey.
ON THE scAFFoLD.
Cooper walked up the scaffold steps firmly
behind the ministers who all took seats on the
scarrold. The ministers sang Take the
name of Jesus with you.' Cooper bowed
reyerently when Rev. Mr.. Coleman offered
prayer.
Psalms were read by Revs. Grinages and
Coleman. All sang: "Praise God From
Whom all Blessings Flow Mr.. Chew pro-
nounced the benediction. The service was
over and preparations We're made for the
end. All shook hands with Cooper. When
asked if he had anything to say, Cooper
replied no
Deputy Sheriff Mackey then placed the
condemned on the trap and adjusted the
straps at the ankles and knees. Cooper gazed
around and looked at his two young brothers
Littleton and Isaac Cooper who witnessed
the hanging. Officer Mackey adjusted the
moose, the knot under the left ear. Then the
cap was placed over his head
All was ready. Sheriff White then steady
and reserved. raised the sharp hatchet and
severed the rope. allowing the trap to drop.
With thud the body fell-a six foot drop
at l.23.
Cooper met death easily. His frame re-
mained still except spinning around several
times The physicians then took his pulse.
BODY CUT DOWN.
The drop fell at 1.23 and the body was
allowed to hang II minutes, when respira-
ton ceased at l 40. Cooper was then in the
presence of his Judge.
The body was cut down and placed in Il
black pine coffin by Undertaken Harry Bell
1t was given to the condemned mans two
brothers who took it to their home at Cokes-
bury and from where it will be inferred.
VIEWING THE scAFFoLD.
At 1870 the street door of the Jail yard was
opened and about $50 people-largely colored
people, passed into the yard and viewed the
scaffold A number of persons were then sing
ing with the prisoner within, and the notes
waited out into the yard had "A solemn effect
PHYSICIANS PRESENT.
The attending physicians We're: DIR. p. b.
Housekeeper, of North East, County Physi-
clan to Aims House and Insane Asylum; Dr.
R. c. Underwood. of North East; DR.. H. E.
Clemson, of Ekton DR.. Harry Hlnchliife, of
Elkton; DIR. j. W. Cooper, Physician to the
JAIL Dr. John II. lamar, of Elkton.
SINGING WITH COOPER.
From twelve o'clock to the time of the exc
cution, Cooper5 spiritual advisers Messrs
Chew, Coleman and Grinnage were with him.
Cooper kept his head bowed when the hymn
Glide Me Closer Lord to Thee was sung
and was in deep meditation. He knelt down
and joined them in prayer
SHERIFF WHITES DEPUTIES.
We're: Deputy Sheriff Harvey Mackey
George T. King. William I. Boulden, Benia-
min Drew George A. Brown, Clay Miller,
Charles b. Perkins, George I. Murray
Warren Wilson and several others.
EATS BUT LITTLE BREAKFAST.
Cooper lost some flesh during his con-
tinement. He was large man, six feet tall
and weighed 1S0 pounds. He was dressed in
black sack suit and wore slippers and a
negligee shirt. The day OF his execution he
was given tempting breakfast but only ate
a few mouthfuls.
GOOD EXECUTION.
The execution was model in every respect.
Sheriff White, Deputy Sheriff Mackey and all
Others assisting, did their parts well, and in
full accordance with every letter of the law.
EXECUTION NOTES.
In readiness for the final act the other
sixteen prisoners were locked in their cells.
Daniel Smith, uncle of the murdered wo-
man was in town but did not attend the
execution.
Many people called at the Jail during the
morning-al eager for gaze at the man
who was to meet his doom at one O'clock
but only few secured the desired look.
Sheriff George II. Berry, of Denton, Caro-
line county, attended the execution. Sheriff