The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-08
All Mounted the SCaffoId I'M
flinChingIy and Without
Assistance.
AIMED TO CHEAT THE LAW
The Death Watch Over Azoff Finds
an Improvised Knife In
His Cell.

murderers expiated their crimes upon the
scaffold at the State prison here this morn
ing. They were Emilio Garcia, Anthony
Azoffrand Patrick J. Collins.
Garcia killed a Frenchman near San
Bernardino by cutting his throat with a
knife. Azoff killed Detective Len Harris
Collins murdered his wife, the janitress of
San Francisco kindergarten, because she
would not give him money for liquor.
Six men formed the death watch over
the condemned last night, the number
having been increased because of the state
ment by the reprieved Morasco that Azoff
would certainly attempt suicide. Three
of the watchmen devoted their entire at
tention to the slayer of Len Harris, and
one sat upon the edge of pallet within
his cell.
The cell and the person of the prisoner
had been searched repeatedly for weapons
by which he might attempt his life, but
at midnight the officials, troubled at
Morasco's repeated assertions. resolved to
look once more. Their search was not
without result, for they found concealed
upon his person a knife, rude and ele-
mentary, it is true, but sharp, and, in the
hands of determined man, a weapon well
adapted for suicidal purposes. 1t was
made of thin strip of steel which is COM
monty placed as brace between the inner
and outer soles of cheap shoes and Azoff
had obtained it from his prison footwear.
With it disappeared the murderer's last
hope of cheating the gallows, and his as
sertive courage appeared also to accom-
pany it.
His shoes were taken from him, and
when he walked to the scaffoId this morn
ing he wore a new pair Of house slippers.
The last night on earth of the con-
demned men was quietly spent.
The death-chamber is situated on the
top floor of an old jutemill in the prison
yard. In the center stands the scaffold,
its platform being about ten feet above the
floor. A portion of the platform is occu-
pied by an Enclosure, in which to-day, hid
den from public view, were three guards,
one of whom sprang the trap and per-
formed the actual execution. At the foot
of the gibbet steps is a door leading to the
apartment in which are the cells of the
condemned men. The partition is thin.
and Azoff and Collins could plainly hear
the sounds of the execution of their prede-
cessor on the scaffo1d.
At 6:25 o'clock Garcia appeared in the
death chamber. Two priests in full canon
icals preceded him chanting the prayers
for the dying. Warden Hale, the prison
chaplain, Turnkey Jamison and the hang
man completed the party.
Garcia bore himself well. He needed no
assistance in mounting the scaffold. but
his words were few. "Good-by," he
shouted, "good-by, adios." He nodded
and smiled to two attendants wear
ing the convict stripes, whose work
was to place the bodies in the coffin. The
moose was quickly adjusted, the black cap
placed in position, the drop fell. From
the time he entered the room till the drop
fell only forty seconds passed.
After the delay necessary to affix another
rope to the gibbet and properly test it,
Azoff appeared. He walked erect, and as
he entered turned to Death Watch Arbo-
CAST, remarking, Didn't I tell you [
would die gamer AS he assembled the
steps he shouted, "Good-by, boys. Here
goes brave manp
A second later his body swung at the end
of the rope and writhed in convulsive
movements, which revealed the enormous
strength of the man. He nearly tore his
hands from their bonds. In thirteen min
utes he was in his coffin.
Collins glanced about as if in wondering
uncertainty as he walked with firm step
to the gallows. He said not a word, but
the priest, while the moose was being placed
in position, made little speech in his be-
half. The father said:
NJ To- nolya nj &c e. at.
man, as at this moment it is hard for him to
collect his thoughts. He committed grave
crime, but he has made all the reparation
which could possibly be made by o sincerely
repentant heart. He wishes me to state that
he forgives all his enemies and asks the for
giveness of all the people Of this State. He
wants me, speaking for him in this pulpit of
truth-since when man stands here he does
not say what he does not mean--to thank
Warden Hale, Captain Edgar, Captain Burlin
and Captain Jamison for their kindness and
consideration to all these men. They have
treated them like brothers and have afforded
US every assistance and facility for the per-
Torrance of our duties, not only recently but
for months past. This man dies In the holy
faith of the Virgin mother, and hope when
you all come to die you may all be as well
prepared as is this poor man who is now to be
launched into eternity.
The trap was sprung at 10:43 o'clock.
The bodies of Azoff and Collins will be
taken in charge by their friends, the for
mer to be buried in Oakland aad the latter
in this City. The body of Garcia will be
inferred by the prison authorities.
Among those who witnessed the execu-
tions was Jack Harris of Sacramento, a
son of Len Harris, whose murderer died
to-day. While Azoff's body was still
swinging Harris seized Warden Hale's
hand and gripped it enthusiastically, re-
marking, "Now am satisfied"
MCLAUGHLIN CONVICTED.