Evening star., 1896-12-17
Execution of James Smith Fixed for
Tomorrow.
BRUTAL MURDER At SEAT PLEASANT
The Convicted Man Has Been a
Good Prisoner. '''''
STORY OF HIS CAPTURE

James Smith will suffer death on the
scaffold at Upper Marlboro, Prince
Georges county, Md. tomorrow morning
the penalty fixed by the law Of the state
for murder. He Is the colored man who
committed the brutal double crime at Seat
Pleasant in July last, when Miss Marquee
rite Drown lost her life. The prisoner who
has been in the Baltimore city jail since
the commission of the crime does not seem
at all disturbed by the near approach Of
the end of his existence on earth. Indeed,
he seems as If it is to come as a matter of
justice. and he has often remarked that
when he committed the atrocious crime he
was aware that it was a case of life for
life. He chats pleasantly with the MEM
bers of the death watch, and plays check
ers with them, and not during his confine-
ment has he uttered a profane word or
said anything against any one at all.
whether connected with his case or not.
Several times he has strongly denied the
statements of the police to the effect that
he had had improper relations with Miss
Drown during the time he lived at the
house, and he has also denied that he made
an attempt to commit criminal assault
on her before he took her life.
His spiritual adviser, the pastor of CAL
vary Baptist Church, in Baltimore has
visited him frequently since his arrival in
the jail where he was taken for safe keep
and will die in the hope of meeting his
victim in the next world. He will accom-
pany Smith on his ride to death tomorrow
II orning. Sheriff Underwood with two dep
uties from Prince Georges county will leave
Baltimore with the prisoner, and go to
Marlboro on the morning train. While the
people in the county are greatly incensed
against the prisoner. the sheriff does not
fear any trouble. and, in order to prevent
the gathering of a big crowd during the
cay, he will probably go direct from the
train 10 the scaffold. stopping only long
enough to pinion the condemned, man and
allow the minister to perform the last rites
of the church. -
The sheriff has issued number of invita-
tions for the hanging, and those who have
received them are supposed to act as peace
officers. In the yard in rear of the jail the
scaffold, the one that has been used be-
fore. has been put up, and the moose, black
cap and other necessary things are In read
mess. so that no hitch in the proceedings Is
probabl
1t is known that a number Of people from
here will go to the county seat to witness
the last scene in connection with the crime
James Smith. the condemned man, is now
about thirty years old and is native of
Berkeley county, w. Va. Miss Drown, his
victim. was handsome young woman who
lived with her aunt at Seat Pleasant, hav-
ing formerly lived in New England. Mrs.
Drown, the aunt, kept a big boarding
house at Seat Pleasant, as well as doing
farming. a great many summer boarders
were accommodated there and Miss Drown
was a general favorite with them. Smith
vas a trusted servant in the family and
had the freedom of the house. One after
noon. week or more before the murder
was committed, Smith attempted to kiss
the young lady when he met her In the
parlor, and fer this he lost his situation in
the family. From the country place ne
came to the city, but he soon returned and
was forgiven. Three days afterward, on
the 2sth of July, Mrs. Drown left home and
came TO this city on business, leaving Miss
Marguerite alone with the colored serv-
ants. Shortly before sundoWn the young
LADY was in her room. dressing for the
evening. when the colored man entered the
room. and, as subsequent developments
showed. made a criminal assault ON her.
The young lady in her effort to protect her
self and defend her virtue was beaten and
bruised until she was rendered insensible.
The brute then, realizing that his crime
might render him liable to mob violence If
not death, at the hands Of the law, walked
calmly down stairs to the Kitchen where
two farm hands and the cook were eating
supper. He got a fruit knife from behind
the stove, and. returning to the room on
the upper floor, ended the young lady's life
by cutting her throat. Then he went down
stairs. washed the knife put it in its place
behind the stove and came here. The col
ored people in the kitchen heard the Young
ladys voice when she was struggling with
Smith. but did not realize that she was
calling for help.
Smith called at house on East Capitol
street that night and got his supper, aud
when he returned the next morning Sergt
Bryan and Policemen Hayden and k:mmel
arrested him. Feeling against :he prisoner
was so intense that he was taken to Ralti-
more for safe keeping. A meeting of men
VINO were willing to take q hand in mob
laws avenging the crime was held and rho
conclusion reached was that Smith should
be burned at the stake. This plan was
frustrated by the sheriff. however, by the
removal of the prisoner to Baltimore.
moi
smith was taken to Marlboro where his
trial lasted only about an hour, when he
was convicted and returned to Baltimore.