The San Francisco call., 1897-08-27
Jeter Declined to Interfere.

SAN GU ENTIN, CAL, Aug. 26.--Wo ord
was received at the penitentlary this
morning in the shape of telegram from
Lieutenant Governor Jeter that he would
take no action in regard to staying the ex-
ecution of Benjamin Hill, sentenced TO be
hanged tomorrow. Captain Edgar and
Chaplain brahms conveyed this informa
ton to the condemned man, who Is con-
fin ed in the death cell under the surveil-
lance of the death watch, Guards John D.
Jones and John Miller.
When Hill was told that Lieutenant
Governor Jeier had sent word that he
would not commute his sentence Hill s
only reply was, Praise the Lord. "
The man whose execution is set for to-
morrow is passing his final hours without
showing the slightest sign OF fear. He has
seen only the prison authorities, and if he
is executed tomorrow no one will know
what last word he may have wished to
send to the outside world. No represen-
tatives of newspapers have been allowed to
see the prisoner, and Warden Hale hes re-
fused any reporters admittance to the
death chamber. Chaplain brahms was
with the murderer for over an hour this
afternoon. Hill is spending most of
his time in reading his Bible, and does not
fear to go to the gallows tomorrow.
Harvey Allender, who is also in the
death chamber, is quite different. While
he spends greater part OF his time IN
religious devotion he is fearful of the day
OF execution, and some doubts are eX-
pressed as to whether he will go to the
gallows brave man. Hill, whose execu-
tion will take place in the morning If
nothing prevents, is guilty of a terrible
murder, although those who profess 10
know a bout it say that he was driven to it.
His wife proved unfaithful and taunted
him with it. He stood this until it be-
came unbearabe, and then in fit of tenn
per he shot her. He was tried and con-
vIcted and sentenced to death. He was
received at San Quentin June 8, 1897, and
has been a model prisoner, and no COM
plant has been made against him.
His brother and sister-in-law have
visited him frequently and their devotion
to the doomed man has been marked.
The Salvation Army people have also
taken a great interest In his welfare. The
latest word that has been received from
the condemned man is that he is spen l.
ing his last night with that same apathy
that has marked his entire term within
the precincts of the big penitentiary. Cap
tain Edgar says that seldom has pris-
oner conde emned TO die showed the nerve
and utter carelessness that has been ex-
hibited by him. the man has an iron
nerve and whether he dies tomorrow or
not he will be known as one OF the grtti-
est men that has ever occupied the death
chamber Hill and Aliender are confined
in The same cell and the death watch is
alert to their every move. They are in
the same cell that Durrant was con-
lined In.
Deputy United States Marshal Monck-
ton arrived at IL o'clock ON the tug Au-
gusta with the notice of the appeal TO the
Sunreme Court of the United States.
When the news was broken to Hill he
and Allender we're in the condemned cell
reading the B Bile together. Hill turned
to Allender and said, ut will be your
turn next"
Allender replied that he didn't care
that he would ''as soon die first as last. u