Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-25
THOMAS WILLIS HANGED
Mas Executed at New Castle at 1885
O'clock Friday Afternoon.
WENT TO THE GALLONS SMILING
Shouted to a Friend: "Take
Care of Yourself"

= child, Calile, VINO mad become our
den to him, by drowning her in |
Muddy run, small stream 10 Mill |
Creek hundred. Friday Thomas Willis |
was led from a cell in New Castle Jail
and banged from scaffold in the Jail |
yard to pay the penalty of his crime.
In spite OF Gov. Tunnels refusal to
interfere Willis counsel still tried to
have the execution postponed. Their
efforts ayailed nothing but the delay
of the hanging for a few hours. The
drop fell at IL. 80 o'clock this after
noon and Willis was pronounced dead
In 10 minutes,
From what be had heard in the last
fsw days Willis began to hope taat
Gov. Tunnel would interfere in hiB
behalf. lie knew that every effort was
being made to that end, and his mind
was therefore dwelling upon hope.
This affected the resolution which he
bad displayed. In the language Of the
Rev. Saumel Ambrose, who has been
his constant adviser, his mind had
been '.scattered'' by thoughts Of re-
prieve. But the final answer of the
Governor refusing to interfere with the
sentence, was received Thursday after
noon at the Jail in dispatch from
Josiah Marvel, one OF Willis counsel.
This dispatch was read to Willis BY
Sheriff Finn and the condemned man
knew all hope was gone.
The Rev. Samuel Ambrose came in
ut his request to give him consolation
and was with him from 6 until 8
o'clock. Willis told the minister that
be was resigned. He requested Mr..
Ambrose to come this morning and to
4 20 upon the scaffold with him and see
the last: The fatherly minister promised
to do 30.
Willis was also visited Thursday
by his wife, who now lives near Farm
hurst. They had separated some time
before the murder, and the fact that be
had the care Of the child may have
peen one circumstance that led TO her
murder. The condemned man and his
wife talked together and Willis gave
the woman directions for the disposal
of his trinkets ana few books. She
now has them In her possession.
After his wife had gone the night
was before him and he rested fairly
well. He was attended part of the time
by Dan Miller and John Smithux. two
colored prisoners. When he awoke Friday
morning he remarked to Warden Pierce
Gould that it was such a fine day, a
good day to go in. Willis had good
breakfast set before him that morning,
comprising pork steak, potato cakes,
bread and butter and coffee, all from
the aheriff's table, but he ate only
about half OF 1t.
About 8. O'Clock he was led from
cell No. % on the second tier down tc
cell No. / on the main floor. Miller
and Smithux were with him. He
seemed In a good humor, and hat
his arm around one Of his companions
The Rev. Mr.. Ambrose appeared
about that time and offered religion
consolation to the condemned man
Willis assured tine minister that b.
was ready to 60. He had been advised
to make his peace with God. tina
whatever he had done he must have
change of heart. Nothing was sail
about the crime.
Sheriff Finn read the sentence o
condemnation to Willis few minute
before O'Clock. This sentence ha
been duly certified to by Clerk of th
Peace Jefferson B. Foard.
The Rev. @. A. Hall Of Mt. Saler
Church, New Castle, another of Willis
advisers, appeared about 8. 30 O'Clock
and later the Rev. +. NJ. Munson, LII
d.. of Emmanuel Episcopal Church
New Castle, came later. George S
Simons of the Salvation Army wa
also with Willis, so that he lacked no
for religious consolation.
Mr.. Whitenan visited the condemne
man and found that he seemed rcsigne
TO his fate, and held no malice or i
feeling towards anyone. He was thanh
full for what Mr.. Whiteman had dor
for him.
The hanging would have been dor
shortly after 10 O'Clock had not NJ
Whiteman requested.t the sheriff TO wal
Mr.. Whitenan had received word
the efforts being made in Willis b.
half tefore the court. Tho sheri
n willingly granted the time. Then eli
eued wait Of some time. A secon
message from Wilmington was receive
by Mr.. Whiteman about 10. 10 and
was hopeful that something might
done. About noon word was receive
that Deputy Sheriff Ratledge ha
started from Wilmington with mG
cage.
This was taken to mean that Il
court had acted favorably.
Meanwhile Sheriff Finn had swo
in the following jury TO see the han
ing, should it take place; James
Toman, foreman; Francis S. Brade
secretary; John f. Welsh, Richard |
Williams, James Sawdon, Joseph Eas
burn, William II. Pennock, Dav
Leach, Thomas IT. Buckley, JOSEF
A. Maeklin, Frank j. Niedermai
and George S. Bacon.
Deputy Sheriff Ratledge arrived
10. Is o'clock with the message th
the court had refused the petition.
Tho sheriff was surprised by
news, but at once notified the iu
that tho hanging had to go on. Ev
then the sheriff allowd Mr.. Whitcm
time TO telephone to Wilmington agai
but nothing came OF it.
* In few minutes the corridor Of I
jail had been nearly cleared of thu
who came TO $50 the hanging. L
jurors assembled near tho condemn
mans cell and Mr.. Whitcmau went
and baue goodbye to his client. Wi
was ready. The ministers had CT
Quoted services for him from 8 o'clo
and he never knew the cause of
delay.
THE MARCH TO THE sCAFFoLD.
The last prayers were said in his
before the march 10 the scatfold beg
which was close to L. u O'Clock. "
his hands bound behind him VIII
bidding good-bye TO acquaintance
he passed along. walked between She
Finn and Night Warden John Han
This jurors followed.
Willis, Sheriff Finn, Warden Han
Capt Israel Rulings, Mr.. Whitem
Local Preacher John Nav and