Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-27
FORD SET THE DAY
he VIII Be Hanged the 26th of
June.
The DEATH Sc NFENCE TODAY
There viii Be No Appeal Taken
by the Prisoner.
S G E n E IN c. o U r T

For the murder of Elsie Kreglo the after
room of the 4th Of this month, Irwin Ford
viii die Friday, the Goth of June There
will be no appeal made to the Court of
Appeals. and, on behalf of the condemned
man. his counsel expressed to the court his
entire satisfaction with the trial given him
and also with the date of the execution.
In anticip ation of sentence being pro-
nounced this morning, a great throng gath
cred in and about the court room where
Judge Cole usually holds his court. But, to
avoid the crowd, Judge Cole, unknown to
them. directed that the man be brought
before him in the old Criminal Court room,
where the Guiteau and other famous trials
were held, and there, in the presence of
but very few people, mostly members of
the bar and court officials, the sentence
was imposed The prisoner, attired in dark
clothes, light flannel outing shirt and blue
scarf, was brought up from the cage below
Immediately after the judge had taken his
seat He was in a visibly nervous state,
and, as he sat, with hands on his knees,
his eyes uneasily wandered about the court
room Mr. r. Newton Donaldson, of his
cour sci. was a few minutes late, and when
he arrived he stated to the court that after
due dehberation he and his associate, Mr.
Arthur Peter. had concluded that nothing
could be gained by carrying the case to the
Court OF Appeals.
Il desire to state" explained Mr.. Donald
son, that as soon as your honor appointed
Mr. Peter and myself to defend the de-
fendant we commenced to prepare his de-
tense We took every step we could, con-
sultins with the defendant and his friends
and we had him examined by DR.. Godding
OF ST Elizabeth's Insane Asylum and other
experts as to his mental condition. The
only evidence We had was that of the gov
eminent, and We wish to express our ap-
TEzgsV 4 IN Nf ~.
Kindness in placing before US all the facts
In his possession We wish also to thank
your honor for the very liberal and gen.
erous consideration given the defendant
and ourselves After due deliberation, and
after consulting with the prisoner himself
this morning. we feel that the Court of
Appeals would not reverse the Judgment
and, even If it should, we feel sure a sec
ond trial would result as this one has
Therefore we have concluded, in view OF all
the circumstances, not to carry the case to
the Court Of Appeals"
The Date.
Have you any suggestion to make as to
the date of the execution?" inquired Judge
Cole
Your honor intimated yesterday" re-
piled Mr.. Peter, that you would probably
set the date for the last week in June or
the first in July"
Well that was in the event of the case
being carried to the Court of Appeals"
explained the Judge Il think two weeks
would be ample tine in which to allow the
defendant to prepare for death. It seems
to me that to delay it beyond that time
would not be mercifuI to him"
The judge, having called for a calendar
was examining ii, when Mr.. Peter said:
Your honor, the prisoner has told US that
while he is not desirous of any unneces-
sary delay, he feels, nevertheless that he
carnot prepare himself for death sooner
than the last Friday in June That will be
the 2Gth, and l would ask for him that that
day he set for his execution
Very WELL" replied Judge Cole after a
moments reflection, during which Ford
anxiously scanned the judges face; 'if
that is tn wish of the prisoner, l see no
reason why it should not be granted and
1 will set that day."
The Death Sentence.
Ford" said the judge, as the wretched
man arose to receive his sentence, do
you desire to say anything why the SEN
tence Of the law should not now be pro-
noUnced in your case?'
The prisoner hesitated a moment and
then, with painful effort, replied: NO,
sab. | don't know what to say"
Judge Cole mercifully spared the murderer
by at once pronouncing sentence, without
making any reflection upon his crime, say
ing: The sentence of the law Is that you
District of Columbia, whence you came,
and there to be kept in close con-
hnement: and that upon the 26th day of
June, 1896, you be taken to the place pre-
pared for your execution, within the walls
of the said Jail, and that then and there
between the hours of 1G o'clock am. and
l O'Clock pm, you be hanged by the neck
until you be dead: and" this the judge
mcst solemnly said, may God have mercy
upon your SOUL"
Ford Satisfied.
Ford nervously listened intently to every
word of the awful sentence, keeping his
eyes fixed upon the judge, and as the judge
closed by asking God to be merciful to
him. the trembling wretch exclaimed, fer
vently, Yes, sah.''
He was Immediately hurried to the cage
below, where, as is usual in the case of
sentenced criminals, his pedigree was TAX
en- He said that he was born thirty-two
years ago near Staunton, Va; that his oc-
Cupation was that of laborer and that
he is married, having one child. His re-
Hgion. he also stated is that of the Rap-
tist faith. He measured six feet one inch
in height, his weight being 2O1k pounds
To a Star reporter he said he was satisfied
with the trial given him; that he was
grateful to his counsel and that he would
now do all he could to make his peace with
God. His spiritual adviser, the Rev John
Roberts, whispered few words of consola-
ton and encouragement to him. and then,
securely handcuffed, he was placed in the
van and driven at once to Jail.
The history of Ford's case established a
record here for dispatch, as will his exc
cution- The murder was committed the af-
ternOon of Monday, the 18th of this month,
he was captured at Harper's Ferry, W. Va,
three days later. On the Monday following
he was indicted and arraigned, pleading
guilty. That plea Judge Cole mercifully set
aside, and Wednesday, the goth, he was
convicted, the motion for new trial being
overruled yesterday.