The San Francisco call., 1896-03-03

Oakland over the fate that has overtaken
the lad is the ven ,rable Father Benjamin
Akerley, the pastor of st. Johns Episcopal
Church.
When the news reached him that Abe
Majors had been arrested for burglary, the
kind-hearted old gentleman was deeply
grieved. A few days later a fit OF vertigo
overcame him while standing in his pull
pit, and it is said that the shock of the
news helped TO cause the attack.
The circumstance brought to Father
Akeriey'S mind the last hours of the lads
father, Lloyd Majors. when he had re-
mained with him as his spiritual adviser,
and the subsequent months when he had
visited Majors in the very same prison
where his youngest son was also i'm
prisoned.
Father AkerIey's mind went back to
the narrowing scenes of the young wife,
barely having reached her twenty-tirst
year, when she visited her condemned
husband, with the two little blue-eyed
boys, Abe and Archie, lovingly. clinging to
her hands.
To-day the same woman is crushed to
the earth by her present troubles and for
her the kind heart Of Father Akerley
almost bleeds.
In an interview to-day he sa1d THE
most trying ordeals that [ ever experienced
in my professional capacity were the visits
TO Lloyd Majors after he was condemned.
His affection for his wife and little ones
was extremely touching. Religion was
his consolation, for he was a learned man,
had studied the scriptures and knew their
worth in the hour OF death, as he had once
known them in his life. He protested
his innocence of the crime for which
he died. He blamed himself for not obey
ing the voice of his conscience, and be-
lieved # he had never allowed himself to
keep a saloon he would not have been con-
nected with the crowd that he claimed
'swore away his life.' Never shall / for
get his fortitude when his last hour had
come. 1t is customary when men are pre-
pairing for this final trial to give them
glass of whisky to strengthen their
nerves. When Majors VAS offered glass
OF liquor he turned to me and in voice
full of emotion said: Il cannot take it, /
shall go to the scaffold sustained by
power stronger than that contained in the
glass
"When Majors was making disposal of
his effects he sent the Bible that had al
forded him all the comfort that he had to
his wife. On the blank leaf he wrote q
touching, loving letter to his son Archie,
in which he advises him never to handle
or touch intoxicating drinks. He told him
10 love and care for his brother Abe, and
TO be a comfort and mainstay of his
mothers future life, concluding with sem
sible advice for patterning his future ca
reer."
The name of Father Akerley is written
distinctly in the Bible and Mrs. Wagner
has always felt that it had a significance
and she has frequently begged her son
Archie to call on Father Akerley to | earn
= L,<t
She, herself, could never gain the courage
to talk over her husband S death with Mr..
Akerley, fearing that she could not bear
up under the recital of going over the ter
rible sorrow of the past.
Father Ackerley, on account OF mis- inter-
est in Lloyd Majors, will now come for
ward and help to save his son from the
penitentiary.
7 The case against Mrs. Wilmore of re-
ceiying stolen property was concluded to-
day before Judge Wood and taken under
advisement on a motion to dismiss.
decision will be rendered on Wednesday.
During the testimony it appeared that the
boys had burned the will of Frank Girard
that they had takep from his safe when
they blew it up.
Friends of Ina Wilmore have taken her
from the Chabot Home. The girl went to
court last Wednesday in charge of detec-
tive, but when the court adjourned she
was not to be found. She is with Chris
tian friends who have decided to look after
her future welfare.
Several efforts were made by SYM
pathizers to secure the interve ntion of
Governor Budd on behalf of the boys. The
Governor, however, caused it to be known
that he would Only act in sucn a case on
the recommendation of the Prison Di-
rectors.
Prison Director r. M. Fitzgerald said
this afternoon that the matter would be
discussed at the meeting OF the Prison Di-
rectors next week, but he declined to dis
cuss the merits of the boys case.
This afternoon the two lads were taken
to Folsom State prison.
A New Church.
Next Sunday the new church at Dimond.