Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-10
RESULT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FIGHT

-
Lan,bert's Counsel First Obtained Re-
prieve, and Then Raised IA Point That
| the Reprieve was "a Bar to the Prison.
er's Execution - Graphic Scenes After
the News of His Lease of Life Was Con-
veycd 10 the Condemned Man.
| CAMDEN, N. j., Jan. "A half hour
| before the time set for the execution of
Theodore Lambert, colorcd, in the
county jail this morning, for the murder
of Baker Kaircr of this city, stay of
proceedings granted by Judge Shiras of
the United States Supreme Court, in
| Washington, until March 4th, was
served on Sheriff Barrett.
At that time score Of witnesses had
assembled in the execution room. No
tice of the stay was given Lambert by
his counsel. Lawyer Semple. The con-
demned man fell to tho floor in faint
from which he recovered in few min
utes by the use of stimulant. He fell
into second faint, in which he re.
manned for nearly five minutes, On
being revived he shouted "glory to God"
anu then fell on the neck of his counsel,
kissing him.
CRAZED by GOOD FORTUNE.
Lambert's mind has been temporarily
turned by his good fortune. Since learn
ing that he has TWO months more to live,
he has not been able to talk intelll-
gently. He shouts and sings at turns.
County Physician Jones has him under
treatment
HIS MOTHER FELL LIKE A LOG.
After leaving the Jail, Lawyer Semplc
, went to Lambert's home, where his
mother was awaiting the news of her
sons execution, the lawyer having pre-
viously promised TO come 10 her inn
! mediateiy after il had taken place.
When he entered she cried; "ls he
deud yet? | thought he would not be
hanged until 10 O'clock" When told
of the stay she fell like log TO the floor
A physician has to be called to restore
her u consciousness.
I She went at once to the Jail with thu
! lawyer, and the mother and son were
permitted to have their meeting alone
5 The scene was affecting. Mrs. Lam
bert refused to leave the cell Of her sol
d and she was allowed to remain with him
AN EXTRAORDINARY FIGHT.
u Mr.. Semple's efforts to save his client
= life have been extraordinary. He claim
: that Lambert is legally dead. The dat
first set for his execution was Decembe
|, 18th. Lawyer Semplc asked for re
y prieve, which the Governor at first re
Q fused on the ground that he had NJ
power in the case, as the 30 days limi
d from the time Of his conviction had eX
n pired.
Y, Lawyer Semplc claimed that convic
IS ton dated from the time Of sentenc
is and not from the time of the renderin
of the verdict, in which case the tim
is since sentence was only 20 days. tn
M matter was referred to the attorney
~ general and he took the same view o
10 the case as held by Semple. The II
IT prieve was thea granted.
a. After December l3th the day o
Il which Lambert was TO be executed, ha
passed, Lawyer SGmple took the OppC
:, size ground, that conviction did not dat
y from sentence but from the time of III
-, rendering of the verdict. As the day 81
1, for the execution had passed, Lambe
70 was legally dead.
~ He exhausted every means provide
- ~ in New Jersey 10 save his client on III
Hr technicality fortnight ago and the
= appealed 10 tho Federal courts, raisin
= the same point which had been di
W. W. missed in the New Jersey courts.
m SUCCESS AT LAST.
w He went before Judge Dallas,
Philadelphia, yesterday, but was n
cd fused the application for Il writ. II
y next went to Washington and called q
n Justice Shira5 of the supreme Cour
Id and was referred back to Judge Dalla
lie remained in Washington, howeve
nv and shortly before IL O'clock succcedl
NJ in having the stay granted.
he lie took a midnight train aud reacht
m here carly this morning, but did n
ey serve the writ on the sheriff until g.;
.es o'clock.
,ir THE STORY or LAMBERT's CRIME.
Theodore Lambert's crime Was the mu
I'M der OF William q. kHirer, Il wealthy CuI
rs den baker, on the morning ol Decemb
no 4th. lsD3. Baker kaircr resided with
tS married son At No. 529 Beckett stree
nj Camden. The son and his wife occupi,
~. the second story front room and the faith
- slept III the second story back room.
,,e On the morning of December It'll, 1sg
ID, young kairer was awakened by some o.
,st irving to open his door. lie arose al
opening the door came face to fnct with
rolored man in the hallway. The latt
tx Tetreated and started down stairs wi
- young kairer following him.
VI The elder kairer was awakened by ii
'nt noise made by his son and the intrud
ny and came out into the hallway US the /,
sk, men were rushing down stairs, lie f
TX lowed the men down, but the burglar hi
in escaped ont the back door Karer Al
III his son did not go outside, but locked /
ha kitchen door and began 10 look around
see If anything had been stolen.
ol Finding everything intact, they w
cir about to go back to bed, when the veneti
blinds in the parlor were pushed open y