The San Francisco call., 1897-01-12
ROE AWAITS
DEATH CALMLY
Undisturbed by the Final
Preparations for His
Execution.
Converses on Theological Topics
With Rev. Mr.. CASTOR
of Vallejo.
The Pastor Describes Him as a
Learned Man, Lacking in Moral
Qualifications.

NAPA, CAL, Jan. 1L-Arrangements
for the execution of William NJ. Roe next
Friday morning are nearly completed, but
the prisoner is as unconcerned as ever.
Early this morning much noise was caused
by the carpenters as they began the erec-
ton of the scaffold and the high fence,
but the sound of the hammer and saw did
not disturb Roe's slumber. A high in
closure forty feet long and thirty-four feet
wide, OF corrugated sheet-iron, is being
erected back OF the Jail
A covered alley way six feet wide leads
to the inclosure from the south entrance
TO the Jail, and in the east portion of the
inclosure an inclined platform has been
erected for the use of those who will at
tend the execution.
The death watch has begun, and from
this time until his execution the con-
demaed will not be left alone. Charles
Harren and D. r. Wheeler are on the
night watch and Wall Kennedy and
Frank Lyon are the day watchers.
Rev. W. L. CASTOR OF the Baptist church
at Vallejo visited Roe at the Jail here
with the condemned man. The reverend
gentleman says:
Roe surprised me in two ways. He is q
smaller man physically and larger man
mentally than l expected to see. He is a
man exceedingly well read. He has all
the theory of orthodox Christianity, but
seemingly has never had the slightest
serious impression on his sensibilities.
He conversed very freely OH religious SUBJ
jects, quoted profusely from tn. Bible,
u -,I
Scripture passages. l was surprised at
his familiarity with what might be con-
sidered technical theological phrases. L
explained to him the doctrine OF the
atonement, which was made for all man.
kind, and l can assure you that was not
compelled TO use simple terms 10 convey
to him my thoughts. He seemed to un-
derstand the theory of the doctrine as
well as [ did. Yet from his manner, 1t
was plainly evident that his moral nature
was absolutely dead to all sensibilities.
Roe is a man without any compunc-
tions of conscience. He knows he has
done wrong and that he is the criminal he
is represented to be, and yet it is i'm posi-
Bile for him TO feel it. For time he
talked very seriously, admitting that his
stubborn will was ali that prevented him
from accepting Christ as savior. Then
some jocular expression which ill-con-
ceaied an underlying sneer. revealed the
mans true nature. 1t may be said to his
credLfhat he says he thinks more seri-
ousIy than he talks. He says he has
prayed and wept many times at night
until his pillow was wet, yet never felt
that PRAYER was answered.
Roe IS exceedingly genial, social, cum
ming and crafty. There Is a suDtleness in
his nature that he cannot hide. 1t is my
opinion hat he is cowardly, and that he
never assaiIed a man unless he had the
advantage. He is determined. HIS bump
of combativeness is large and his bump of
destructiveness still larger. Caution is
well developed, and he has good deal OF
executive ability. In response to my in
quiry as to what advice he wanted to send
10 the young men who might be in my
congregation next Sunday evening, when
l shall preach on How a Man Acts When
but Four DAYS From the Grave" he said:
"'Give the advice to the parents-they
need il most. Tell the young men to be-
ware OF the time when they think that
they are big enough to take care of them
selves. That is the time when boys and
girls are III the greatest danger.
He advised Christian living, although
there may be no life hereafter"