The times., 1897-06-05
THE EXECUTION OF LEWIS
Assailant Of Mrs. Riedel Pays
the Supreme Penalty.
HIS SPEECH At THE ScAFFOLD
Words nf Sorrow and Repentance
for His Sins-There Is d Smile on
Ills Face as the Trap Door
Springs and He Swings t.
Death.

/ Fairfax Courthouse, Va. June 4-Jamcs
Lewis, the negro who csiminftlly assaulted
| Mrs Ida Riedei. was hanged for the
crime in the county 1dh yard here to-day
| The titne set for the execution was be-
tween the hours OF and 10 O'Clock in
the forenoon, and il was exactly min
utes past when the drop fell Owing to
the faes that the knot ia the rope slipped
as his body shot through the trap. his
neck was not broken and death was
caasedby stEan g,ilation. Twenty-four min
utes after the trap was sprung, the ply
sicsans stated that life was extinct, aud
the body was then cut down.
The coadealned man met Ills tate in q
calm and fearless manner His last utter
anees Were words OF sorrow and repentance
Tor his sins, and full confession of his
guilt. A smile even was upon his i.pS as
he swung into eternity The self-control
which Lewis exhibited to tie very last WIS
nothing short Of marvellous, and never once
did he show the slightest signs OF bleak
ing down.
After his confession last night, Lewis
seemed TO become resigned to his fate
He conYersed freely with the death
watch and reporters, To whom he re-
peated the story of his crimes. It
was not Lntiineariy 2 O'Clock that he wonld
lie down. Then he soon fell into a deep
slgmDer, and slept soundly until called To
breakfast at 4 o'clock.
In the meantime, tire Jail officials and
pScss Representatives anXiouay waited for
the hour or execution.
When Deputy Sheriff C. C Gordon suln-
nioned Lewis Co arse he responded prompt
ly, and began to make ready for the march
TO the gailows. After dressing. and he
fore partaking OF any breakfast, the pris-
oner knelt down and prayed. He was then
provided with q breakfast OF toast, eggs,
steak. straw herries fancy cakes and coffee.
lie only ate one egg, a slice of toast,
CAKE. and drank a cup OF coffee
When Dr. Miliken and Rev. l.. D. Bre ver,
the co.ored preachers arrived the ..ext
halfhour was spent il religious services.
There was prayer, the reading OF the
twenty third psalm, and singing I'm go
ing home to DIG no more, in which Lewis
joined heartily
At 4 40 Sheriff Gordon appeared before
the coudeFnned mans cell and read 70 him
the death warrant When this had been
done tire party started on the march 10
the sesffold, down the jail corridor ard
out into the open air OF the covrt- yard.
Rev. 3Ir Brewer was in the Il ad, and as
he walked he sang, Saviour, more than
life TO me-" and continued TO sing until
the Moose had been adjusted Following
him was Sheriff Gordon. and behind him
Lewis. between two deputy shedffs, end
Rev. Or. Miliken next.
Lewis however, needed no one to steady
him. but mounted the long steps with a
firm and elastic step.
Willie his hands and feet we're being
pIniOncG Lewis stood intently surveying
taie agents Of death the scaffold and rope
When everything was in readiness Rev
&r. Brewer read the ninetieth psalm, and
again offered prayer
This completed, the sheriff stepped up
behind the condemned man end said:
'.sini. do you wish to say anything be
fore Tou de-
To this Lewis unhesitatingly replied as
follows: Truth shines out in darkness; it.
can't be smothered; but lie is always
black. ard sooner or later WILDE foundaut
1 aIn guilty of the crime for which l was
tried and deserve this punishment, and
am also guilty of three other crimes,
which | have confessed. l thoushtI could
continue 10 do as had done, but I got
found cut. i carried the pitcher to the
fountain once too often, and it broke
l am sorry, and ask theLord for mercy and
pardon. and hope you will all meet me
on high Good-by.'
AS he spoke in calm, but slightly hesi-
tating, tone smile played upon his lips,
and the sound of his voice had scarce died
away before the drop fell
The body descended about seven feet
through the trap and reboUnded slightly
when the limit Of the rope was reached.
Then for moment there were involuntary
ccnv,IlsioBS and twitchines of the body,
and then al was stin save slight sway
OF the rope.
Fof twenty-foHr minutes tie heart con.
tinued TO beat. and then DR.. CoUmhes and
the attending physicians pronounced him
dead