The morning times., 1896-06-24
DEATH WATCH PUT ON FORD
Condemned Man Says He Will
Die Without Fear.
RESIGNED TO HIS FATE
Says He Is willing to Pay the Penalty
for the Crime Commit ted-SinGs
and Prays COntinua lIy-His Wife,
sister nnd Minister the Only
Ones to See Him.

Irwin l.. Ford will pay the penalty of
his fiendish crime on Friday OF this week
between the hours OF 10 O'Clock in the
morning and 1 O'Clock in the afternoon.
TIE death watch was placed on the con-
demned man at O'Clock last night, and
from no W On till lie expia tes the awful deed
he will be under the closest possible sur
yeillance.
He spends his time walking up and down
his cell singing and praying. and enjoy
ing occasional maps un his couch. He is
apparently in the best of health. eats
heartily and is quiet and good-natnred
in Ills demeanor. He is perfectly resigned
to his fate. and from appearances VIII
meet his doom without flinching.
During the last week or ten days there
has been no change in Ford's condition. He
is regarded as a model prisoner. He is COM
plctcly wrapped up in what he calls ms
religious duties, and gives the Officials
little or no troab!e. His time during the
day seems to be wholly occupied win
singing and praying, and welcomes the
calls Of the Rev. John Roberts, who comes
every day TO give the condemned man
consolation in his last hours.
HAS GOTTEN RELIGION.
Ford has accepted the truth of the
minister's words concerning the LORDS
teachings, and has signified his Willingness
TO pay the penalty OF his dreadful crime.
He claims to have made his peace WIN
God. The close OF one DAY and the dawn
OF another does not disturb him, but as
the day Itself draws near he sings louder
and pTays ofIeGer.
He goes to BED at . O'Clock and by 10
is fast asleep He sleeps. soundly and
awalles between and Z in the morning
After breakfast he begins his singing and
praying ana stops only when lie is spoken
to by one or the keepers or some one who
is admitted To his presence.
Since Furd's iEcarcer3 ton at the Dis
trict Jail he has occupied cell No. in
that section of the prison known as mar-
dererS' row. 1t is the Cet, into which
all the capital punishment prisoners are
pat about ten days previous to their cXecu-
tun.
It is the same cell occupied by Charles
j. Guitcau previous to Gis cxecut on aud
by other prisoners of lesser note
Ford docs no, know this. hat it wogld
have little or no effect on him If lie dis.
He tfkes no interest III earthly things.
and only the visits of Rev. Roberts and
his wife seem 10 awaken him from the
religious lethargy which he has assumed.
VISITED BY WIFE AND MINISTER.
No one is allowed TO see the prisoner but
the Rev JOHN Roberts, Ford's wife and
child and his sister. Mrs. Baker. who at
present is living with Mrs. Ford They
call every other day. and are admitted 10
the door of tire prisoners cell. where, in
the presence of a keeper, tEey carry on
their conversation until stopped on ac-
count of the time.
FsrG repeat cdly tells his wife how sorry
he is f,r committing such dreadful crime
and asks her to remember him when lie
is gene He also requests his wife To teach
his child not to forget him aud to pray for
the safe Gciiverancc cf his soul into the
glorious kingdom on high.
There are ii member Of people who call
a. ti:e Jail with request to see the Cou-
demned man, hut all are refused. Nearly
fifty erpic were there yesterday. One of
tins number said It. the keeper that he wis
told that Ford was on exhibition and that
he could he seen. and was greatly disap-
pf inted when told that he had been mis-
Informed.
The sea fold on which Ford will lie
hung is already standing in the north
corridor of the jail. 1t has stood there
for wears. and is tie same one ON which
Guiteau paid the penalty of his crime
in 1888. 1t is perfect in every way and
needs no additional cpnvenienCes TO war
rant successful hanging. The rope
will not be attached until Thursday night
or Friday morning. OF until after the
details of the work are prepared by the
warden at the jail.
The court has not vet decided upon
list of those who are to be allowed to
witness the execution. but this will he
arranged before Friday morning.