The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1895-07-20
EDWARDS RESIGNED TO DIE.
GOVERNOR MCKINLEY
GRANTS A SIXTY
DAY RESPITE.
How the CONDEMNED Spent
What He Believed Was
His Last Day.
Suggested Tint 1t Might be Better for
Ilim.-The Crime.

Isaac l.. Edwards, the Hooking
county murderer, spent his last
day on earth in religious services
| in the annex, and the indications
are that he will meet death
bravely. To outward appearance
he weakened for a few days, but
his courage has returned and he
expresses the opinion that he will
stand the trying ordeal without
shrinking. AT an early hour re-
ligious hymns were heard reyer-
berating through the east hall.
The singers were the four annex
men who are all condemned to be
executed during the current month
unless Governor Mckinley can be
induced to stay the hand Of the law
which is considered improbable.
Chaplain Winget has been with
Edwards large portion of the day
and he (Edwards) expressed his
readiness togo, in fact, said it would
probably be better for him. Dur
ing the morning Crock of Ages"
"Where is Ny Wandering Boy To-
night" and other hymns were sung
in which Edwards joined heartily.
Edwards parents were members
OF the Church of England, and
since his arrival in this country he
has affiliated with the Baptists but
has never been a member of any
religious denomination. All his
life he has been a worker in coal
mines and has had but little oppor-
tunity to secure an education, but
those who have come i'm contact
with him say that he is a man of
good sense and has kindly instincts.
Isaac l.. Edwards is to pay the
penalty for kill ng Mrs. Sarah Sell
lers at Murray City, Hooking Co.,
on July 5, 1898. Edwards was a
widowcr and has two children, and
Mrs. Sellers became interested in
them and finally took them to her
house to board. This had the effect
of causing Edwards to make fre-
quent visits to her house and
friendship sprang up between
them. The father soon made
an excuse 10 board at the
house in order to be with his
children. Prior to this Mrs.
Sellers had always been con-
sldered u most reputable woman,
but after the arrival of Edwards
the neighbors coupled their names
together in anything rather than
complimentary manner. Mr.. Sell
ers, the husband, finally learned of
the situation of affairs, and sent
his wife to England, in hope of
breaking off the intimacy between
the two. Mrs. sellers was gone
about three months on her Euro
pen trip, and on her return would
not allow Edwards to come about
the house or have anything to do
with him. On the day the crime
was committed Edwards went on a
bender, secured a revolver and sta
ted to a number of people that he
was going to kill Mrs. Sellers, and
called her vile names. He even
went so far as to declare that if
she would not live with him she
should not live with another. He
went to tho front door and meeting
with resistance rushed to the rear.
lie found Mrs. Sellers sitting on
the doorstep preparing potatoes
for supper. Edwards drew his re.
volver and fred two shots. both
taking effect in the lOwer part OIL
the abdomen and causing almost
instant death. 1t was claimed that
either of the balls would have
caused death. Arrest promptly
followed and his case has been car.
ried through all the courts and
even the pardon hoard has refused
to recommend a Communication ofl
sentence. Under these cjrcum-
stances it is safe to predict that
Governor Mckinley will moi inter-
'ere with the sentence Of the court.
Many OF the prominent miners of ]
he state have made an effort to
'ecnre cIemency, and some of them !
10 mt hesitate To say that all of
he details of the tragedy have not =
'een made public. Edwards has !
good appetite and apparently en-
oys his last meals. During his long j
erm in The annex only nne reln- i
I've has called ON him, and he is
barkeeper IN the city. Up t0ty
'oon his two sous had not called 9
7 the prison, but they will prohah- !
y Pui IN IN appearance before the .
ny closes to take a parting fare I
veil.