Evening star., 1897-03-12

minutes. and every one is loud in praise of
without hitch or the slightest sign of
bunglins.
The condemned rlan slept little last
night. although he undressed apd went to
bed. He up late and spent considera-
BILE time in writing letters. one of thzm
being to Mrs. TAYLOR. formerly Mrs. Wood
his foster mother Fathers John E. Wade
and J. j. Broderick were with the con-
demned man early this morning and re-
nainef with him until the end.
At o'clock Matthews told his spiritual
advisers that he would like to see States
Attorney Adrian Posey, and that gentle
man went in and spent ten minutes with
him. Matthews told Mr. Posey that he
had nothing whatever against him for
prosecuting him. as i. all his own
fault. and he did not blame the prosecuting
officer for the performance of his duty
He told Mr. Posey that he had never said
he would like 70 have him in front of
loaded gatling gun. as had been reported.
out he did say in joking way he would
ike to have such gun between him and
the people of Charles county.
He said further to the states attorney
he hoped ne would be forgiven for his
crime While talking TO Mr. Posey Mat
thews showed no nervousness save n
twisting of the hands. and talked in a
strong, clear voice
When Mr.. Posey left the cell the guards
began to bind and rope Matthews for the
execution. and in a few moments he was
marched from the Jail to the yard. He was
preceded by Deputy Sherifrs r. r Barber
T H. Medley and John Maloney. and be-
side him walked Fathers Wade and Brod-
eriGk Matthews had look of pailor but
walked with firm step and bowed head, lis
tening 10 the prayers of the priests beside
him hen he reached the foot of the
stairway n was prevented from stepping
freely up by his gown. and Deputy Barber
caught hold OF his arm and assisted him TO
the top.
The Execution.
Deputy Medley put on the black cap and
Deputy Barber pinioned his feet and al
Justed the rope aroGEd the mans neck
Deputy Barber walked off the scaffold 10
the steps. and gave the signal to Deputy
PadSett, who in turn signaled Sheriff
Wade, who held the trap rope at a down
stairs window in the jail. The drop was
eight and One-half feet The man hung for
a few seconds without making a notion
and he then struggled violently once or
twice and was still.
Dr. ThOs- s Owens, health officer for
Charles county was the only physician
Present and ten minutes after the drop
feH he pronounced the man dead He was
lowered down after hanging seven minutes
longer DR.. Owens said that Matthews
neck was not broken The remains were
then placed in coffin. which was put in a
covered wagon and hUrriedly driven away
A guard of twenty five men, under the
command OF Mr. p r. Wills. surrounded
ne Jail inclosure 10 prevent any disorders
hat might possibly occur. but owing to th..
sarly hour of the execution not over lpJ
persons were in and around the Jail in
closure.
About twenty persons including news
paper men. were on the inside of the in
closure and witnessed the execution Sher-
IN Wade. who has not been In robus:
health for some time past. bore up we'll
and performed his duty without the slight
est sign of nervousness
Matthews brought last evening to
the county from Baltimore city jail where
ne had been incarCerdted since his con-
victiCn- He in the custody of Sheriff
George a. Wade and Deputy Sheriffs l..
J. Padgctt and J. Hugh Murphy. who mad
been his watch since tine death warrant
read 10 him in January. Father John
T. Wade. pastor of Newport Catholic
church of this county, in Baltimore
for the purpose OF accompanying the DOOM
ed man TO The county. and met the sheriff
at the Calvert street station and remained
with the prisoner until his arrival at La
Plata. Father j. j. Broderick. pastor of St
Thomas Catholic Church at Chapel Point
met the party at Bowie and the Two
priests united IN their efforts to cheer the
doomed mar while en- route to the place of
his death They apparently succeeded for
at times " lille not engaged in devotional
exercises Matthews laughed and talked ap-
Pdreatly forgetting the awful doom 10
NEE; him on the morrow
Arrival at La Plata.
When Matthews arrived at La Plata
many persons were on the platform to see
him. but he was hustled through the
crowd. and. with the guards around him
and the priests beside him. walked brisk
" over 10 the Jail. 800 yards distant. He
was placed in one of the cells downstairs
and Immediately locked In with his snir
ltual advisers and Guard Padgett The
clerSymen remained with the prisoner for
an hour. and then left to get needed rest
and reshn-ent. returning at an early
hour this morning and remaining with him
until the execution.
Sherin Wi ade says that just before he
left baltimore the Jail ply ysicfan DR. Clark.