The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-08-14
THE LAST
OF WILLIS.
Wounded Convict Passes
Away at Massachusetts
State Prison.
His End Was Peaceful Despite
q Severe Fever Which
Afflicted Him.
DYING MAN HAD NO COMPLAINT.
Condition Became Worse During the Night and
He Spoke No Word-Hls Vitality Was
Altogether Remarkable.
DYING MAN HAD NO COMPLAINT.

Boston, Aug. 14.-Herbert A. Willis
died in the state prison yesterday after
noon at 450 o'clock.
The desperate young convict passed
away quietly and apparently with out
pain being conscious when the end came.
Only the prison officials were present
when he breathed his last.
The condition Of the young convict dur
ing the day showed clearly to the doctor
that his end was near. He was In a
emi-conscious state. eyes alf-closed,
and did not notice what was going on
about him. What little nourishment he
had previously taken had served to re-
tain the strong vitality of. the prisoner.
but he grew worse during the night. and
was, unable to take any food yesterday,
and with eyes closed and jaws firmly
set. with that determination which has
so strongly marked his short career, he
died without having spoken a word or
uttered single complaint. despite the
intense agony he must have been under
going.
Whether the bullet in his mouth pre-
vented him talking is not known, but he
died without making any statement, or
expressing an opinion about the shoot
ing ARRAY In which he was q factor.
The body Of young Willis was taken to
the morgue In the prison, where II will
remain until today. The mdical exam
iner will view the remains. after which
II Will be turned over to Mrs. Willis.
The mother Of Willis was Immediately
notified Of the death of her son, but up
to a late hour last night she had not been
to the prison. nor had any Of Willis
relatives.
The bullets which caused his death
were located as follows: One In the fore
part Of the left arm; one In the throat
which penetrated his tongue; one In the
skull. near the brain, and bullet In his
back. The doctors were surprised ut his
wonderful vitality, and only wonder that
he lived so long.
The nurse who was at the bedside
said that the last hours OF the patient
were quiet. In spite Of the terrible
fever his brain was apparently clear.
His eyes followed movements about the
bed with intelligence. He had nothing
to say. The end was peaceful, the
patient being utterly exhausted during
the last half hour.
The deceased prisoner was, without
doubt, one CT the most dsperate GRIM
inals that the police of this state have
ever had to deal with. But 10 years oA
age. OF strong. athletic build, and not
knowing what the word fear meant, Her.
bert Willis was a hard man to handle.
He died as he lived-nervy and appar-
entity without fear.
Everett Willis, the brother of Convict
Willis, is rapidly improving, and he will
undoubtedly be able to get out today.
He has gained considerably in strength.
Willis will probably be taken to the
Charlestown court today to answer the
charges preferred against him.
The session of the prison commission
at the state prison was strictly private.
They heard the statements Of the warden
and his officers concerning the Willis
ahair. and will recommend to the gov
ernor that double door be provided,
forming vestibule leading from the oc-
tagon to the OUTER door where Officer
Townsend was sitting. and that second
officer shall stand continually In or at
the vestibule ready to fire upon con-
victs whe may move in that direction.