Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-07
HIS LAST WIGHT.
Murderer Williams Passes His Last Hours
Writing to His Mother.

Salem. Mass, Oct. 6-Alfred c. Will
Jams, the convicted murderer of John
Gallo. who is to be hanged here, to-
morrow. passed an apparently quiet
night. VIM. A. Wilson, the sub-patrol-
man, watched with him and he report
ed. this morning, that Williams sleep
was apparently undisturbed.
Mr.. Wilson and Francis r. johnson,
Jail official. who relieved him, today,
"ill watch till the time of the execution
unless Williams should break down and
equire the attendance of a deputy.
Williams stoutly maintains his inno-
cence. but seems to be anxious con-
corning his spiritual welfare. He had
requested of his spiritual adviser that
his mother be net permitted to see him.
Rev. Chas. Ii. Puffer, the Jail chaplain,
visited MIN. and E. p. Farnum, pastor
Of the First Baptist church, was also
expected. as Williams mother had ex-
pressed the wish that Baptist clergy
man offer prayer with her son before
his death.
The preparations for execution We're
nearly completed this forenoon and
everything will be in readiness before
night. The gallows have been erected
at the south end of the guard room. AS
the height of the ceiling would not ad-
nit of the usual frame an opening has
been made into the floor of the chapel
,irectly above the scaffold and from a
stout timber, securely fastened, the
rope will depend
The execution will take place at
about 10 O'Clock and will be witnessed
only by those persons requested by law
and those whose duties compel their
attendance. The officials do not think
that Williams will make any statement
IN the line of confession.
Williams tells the Jail officers, with
40 show of bravado, that he will not
give them any trouble at the execu-
tion.
All preparations for the execution were
made, this afternoon. and the gallows
were repeatedly tested with a bag of sand
weighing IT'S pounds. Williams weighs
1872 Everything worked perfectly. The
drop will be of six feet, and space of
some two feet will remain between the
lower eXtremities of the condemned man
and the floor of the Jail guard room.
This evening. Williams spent a long
time in writing a letter to his mother To
Rev. Mr.. PuIer. who spent a portion of
the evening with him. he said that when
he had finished this letter he would go to
BED and have good nights sleep.
He has persistently refused TO be seen
by newspaper men and would see, today,
only his brother and his brothers wife,
with one or two intimate friends. Will
liams will mass his last night on earth in
the cell (No. y where he has been con-
fined since he was committed to the Jail.
Tomorrow morning, he will be removed
to cell opening from the gallery. which
extends from the cell door to the scaffold,
and as the scaffold is of the same height
as the gallery. and as the gallery rail has
been removed, the journey from the cell
to the fatal drop will be but short dis
lance. and there will he no steps or stairs.
Williams has manifested no trace of UNI
easiness during all the time that the
sounds of the erection and testing of the
gallows have been resounding through
the Jail corridors. and it is believed that
he will carry this calm demeanor to the
end,