The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-29
ensuea. They had probably heard Of

! II yesterday.
| In Downing the jail has about as
| vicious n prisoner as has ever been con-
! fined within it's walls. Some few weeks
ago he tore up the floor in his cell and
set fire to ii. which was put out. and
| then the murderer continued his ugincss
| by repeated insults and vile abuse
Sheriff LAWYER has been told by the man
and 10 subdue him Il set of hand and
feet shackles were brought from Rcli-
| mond, but on his promise to behave
| they were never used
| Yesterday Downing came near adding
another murder to his record John
Mcnamara. white merchant sailor
had been sent over to jail to await trial
this morning for drunkenness. He was
standing on the landing next to Down
ing's cell talking with DIR. Baker, the
Jail physician, when the former came
up With gruff remark the negro or
dered Mcnamara out Of the way. Me-
Namara had the first right to speak TO
the physician. and refused Downing
again ordered him away, and because
the white man did not move fast
enough Downing struck him n powerful
blow In the face. knocking Mcnamara
down. Before anyone could move the
desperate murderer jumped on the pros
trate man and kicked him in the tenn
moved to the hospital. Sheriff Lawler
at once put the shackles on Downing.
assisted by Policemen West and Wood
and Detective Robert Ruddick.
He will now wear these lrons-a pair
of handouts and feet shackles, con-
nected by IL heavy chain that only admit
of his eating by sitting down and pre-
vents him doing any more damage--un-
I'll the death and probably until he is
tied and noosed on the scaffold.
He Will die under the administration
of Il Roman Catholic. his spiritual all
visor being the Rev. Father Riley, of st
Joseph's Church, this city. Williams will
die listening to the prayers of BaD-
list. his spiritual advisor being an old
colored man from Princess Anne coun-
ty.
Everything is in readiness for the
hanging, and the rope. Which is Of The
finest hemp. Ia inches in Circumfer-
ence, has arrived.
1t was made in Philadelphia and sent
to Sheriff Lawler all ready to adjust
to the necks of the two men
The drop will be about six feet with
Il four foot stretch, and the sheriff will
have plenty of assistance. Deputies
Cain and Thompson. and it is thought
Sheriff Siverson and Deputy Abbott. of
Portsmouth. who assisted at the Madi-
son Brown hanging, will help next
Tuesday.
Sheriff Lawler has given it out that
he will allow only the number required
by law To sec the double hanGing-the
de'nncds attorneys and bona fidc news
paper men. The hanging will occur next
Tuesday. between the hours Of . a. m
ana L. noon.
Charles Williams will die for the
murder of George BeSs night watch
man on the oyster schooner Caroline d.
in early June. and William Downing's
crime Is fully set forth in the first OF
this article
| The cases of Williams and Downing
4. a 1,.
ana the following grand jury passed on
| both cases.
| Isaac Moritz. foreman: j. r.. Briggs.
John Vermillion. ]. w. Crews, \. T..
santos, r. c. Marks, J. c. Taylor, Frank
L. Clark and y. II. Heistand.
! Downing was tried Monday, June 18th
by the following jury: j. t. Blackburn
IL. j. Cannon. S. s. Cartwright. ID. r.
Creecy, ST.. George w. Butler. c. D.
Rutter ]. S. Sykes. William Exlebcn
j. W; Sadler j. T. Davis. NJ. ]. Vellines
and w. r. Fletcher. He was convicted
of murder in the first degree and SEN
fenced Tuesday. October 9th Williams
was tried June sd before the following
jury: j. II. Blackburn. T.. j. Cannon.
ID: II. Creecy. ST.. c. .. Deal George
Ter. j. T. Davis. S. $. Cartwright, 4. II
| Old. J. T. button and D. T. Cain
| lie was also convicted of murder in
the first degree ana was sentenced
nnrSulN. July 3utH. SiHUr then ar,.I-
ments for new trials on tho ground of
improper handling of the iurin5 ana
testimony given n the scene pr me
crime irreGularly. by William Limthi-
cum in Williams case ami Dr Char
tiers and others in the DOWNING caste.
have been heard ana set aside. and ap-
'peals TO the Chief Executive hav,. been
mad" with the result above stated.
They have both been respited fru!n p"-
Icenier 9Th to January 5ui. and now lMa
lcly"ution must take place.
The gallows will bc finished at once.
In 4 it'll" remaining to be done and
pn'ie" arrangements will probably be
made adequate To the occasion to- ,cal +.
IN" streets leading TO the iail free from
the morbid, curiosity huntin" crowa=
That would otherwise throns them On
execution day
Downing has had on hiss galows suit
Tor several days and will continue to
wear 1t until wearing it is no longer
Il matter Of choice
.IMISLMr:NTs.
LiTTLE R1NlE'-Lovors of catchy