Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-04
TOBE HANGED IN MAY
Edward Smith and VIM. Strather Re-
ceive Sentence Of Death.
REMARKABLE CONDUCT OF SMITH
He Exhibits Utter Indifference to
His Situation.

L
STRATHER SAYS NOTHING
Perhaps the most remarkable exhibition
| of cool indifference to a most solemn situa-
| ton that ever occurred in a court OF JUS
tice, either in this jurisdiction or elsewhere.
| was Witnessed this afternoon In Criminal
Court No. 2. This exhibition was seen in
| the conduct Of a condemned murderer, who
practically in the face Of death, proved
himself TO be utterly careless as to the fate
| in store for him.
The individual referred to was Edward
Smith, coiored. He was convicted recently,
| 1t Will be remembered by readers OF The
Star, Of one of the most bloody murders in
| the history Of the District. Edmonia Jack
son, married woman, was his victim. He
literally butchered her in a house in Madi-
son alley the 18th of last November. The
body was not discovered until four days
| later. and, in the meantime, Smith had
slept in the room with the decomposing re-
mains. He gave evidence of his brutal
character the day his trial began by at
tempting murderous assault on John
Nelson.
The latter was an important witness for
the government, called to testify to threats
uttered by Smith before the commission of
the crime to the effect that 1t was his in
tention to kill the woman. Just ASA party
Of prisoners was leaving the jail, Smith
made The murderous assault on Nelson and
would have probably been successful but
Tor the vigilance aid activity of Deputy
Marshal Springmann.
Although the attorneys assigned nv fha
court to defend Smith exerted themselves
"a ms pehan. the case was clearly against
MIN from the start. and the jury promptly
reported verdict Of guilty as indi ,ted A
motion for a new trial was filed, and after
argument TODAY was overruled.
Smiths Response to the Court.
The prisoner was then directed to stand
UP.
Have you anything to say before SEN
tence is passed upon your" asked Judge
Bradley.
"All I've got to say is that your witnesses
perjured themselves" said Smith, in bra
zen tones. II didn't kill that woman.
I That's Is all ha. I've got to say hope I'll meet
You say you did not kill the woman?"
| remarked Judge Bradley 1.-The jury found
you guilty, and they could not have reach
ed any other conclusion, in my opinion.
The facts were clear and
I am satisfied with whatever you givo
me-" interrupted Smith.
Whether you are satisfied or not" ex-
me to impose the death sentence. and
Il know that" again interrupted the
prisoner, ITS all right"
7 am glad you are satisfied" then said
Judge Bradley, for 1t makes my duty
easier"
The court in the usual form thereupon
pl oceeded with considerable feeling to sem
tence Smith to be hanged at the District
jail Thursday, May r. 1888. between the
hours Of 10 an and 1 pm. In conclusion
the court said: May God, in His infinite
wisdom. cause you to realize the enormity
of your crime and to repent, and may He
have mercy on your SOUL
THANK you," said Smith, in the most
nonchalant manner. "Is there anything
further?'
Get out Of here" then directed Judge
Bradley in tones filed with disgust.
Smith was escorted from the room by
two bailiffs. He chuckled to himself as he
passed through the doorway.
Il do not know Of a case" Judge Brad
ley then took occasion to remark from the
bench, "in which the community should
be more deeply congratulated in being rid
OF such man as that. Lynching, prob
ably. would be better than putting the
government to the expense Of keeping and
| hanging that BRUTE
strathcr Also Sentenced.
William M. Strather, convicted Of the
murder of Rosa Talbot, the 18th of last Oc-
tober, was also sentenced today by Judge
Bradley. The court directed that Strather
BE- hanged Thursday, May 5, 1898, between
10 am. and 1 pm.
Strather had nothing to say prior to the
imposition of the sentence, and remained
silent after the court had spoken. A mo-
ton for new trial was also argued and
overruled in his case.
Messrs. Samuel D. Truitt and Benjamin
I. Roodhouse, counsel for Strather, in ar
guing for a new trial. made the point that
the statute of 1890, under which the indict-
ment was drawn, is not now in force in the
n
the statute gave way to the Maryland act
of 1901. Counsel further commended that
Strather did not kill Rosa Talbot with
malice he having inflicted the injuries in
the heat of passion, while suffering great
pain, and therefore was not guilty OF
murder.
The same argument as to the statutes
was advanced by Mr.. Warder Voorhees, of
counsel for Smith.
In overruling the motions Judge Bradley
complimented the attorneys, remarking
that the prisoners could not have been
more ably defended.
Departs From Custom.
An interesting point in connection with
the cases is that both men were sentenced
to be hanged on a Thursday. This is a
departure from a congratulated custom,
for Friday has heretofore been the recog-
nized hangman's day here Not one of the
many officials who have been connected
with the city hall building could recall an
instance of a hanging ever taking place in
the District of Columbia on day other
than Friday. There Is no special reason
why Friday should be designated In prefer
enee to any other day of the week, but
Judge Bradley, by his action today, de-
parted from what has all along been re-
garded an ironclad custom.
Charles Winston. indicted for the murder
Of his wife, Emma, will be placed on trial
Monday next before Judge Bradley In
Criminal Court No. 2
Admitted to Probate.
Judge Coz In the Probate Court TODAY
signed an order admitting the will of the
late Matthew W. Gait to probate. Letters