The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-08
HIS LAST NIGHT ON EARTH.
BRISTOw GRAHAM TO PAY THE
DEATH PENALTY TO-DAY,

VIII Be Hanged for the Murder of
Ben Wilson in Yamacraw Two
Years AgO-The Murderer Visited
During the Day by His Friends and
Spiritual Advisers-NOtified by His
Attorneys That There Was No Hope
for Executive CIcmency-The Prep
nrations for His Execution.
Between the hours of 10 and four o'clock
to-day, Bristow Graham will be hanged
in the Chatham county Jail for the murder
of Ben Wilson in Yamacraw two years
ago. Sheriff Roman has not fixed the
4 hour for the doomed man to walk to the
gallows, and will probably not do so
until Graham arises this morning and ex-
presses his wishes.
The sheriff has doubtless made up his
mind, however, and Graham's preference
will have to yield If it is
considered at all. 1t is not pnfrequently
the case that the hour is not set until we'll
In the day. Even were ii known when the
trap will be sprung the authorities would
object to having it known on account Of
the crowds that congregate outside the
jail enclosure.
The death watch has been kept over
Graham for several days, though it was
not feared by the authorities that he
would undertake self-destructon. The
watch it not SO close during the day as
at night, because there have been visitors
with the doomed man at most all hours
when they are admitted by the authori-
tes. No concern seems to be manifested
by Graham from what can be learned from
those visiting him, and the probability is
he will not break down when the clock
ticks loud and those in the corridors who
have never witnessed an execution, begin
to wish they were outside. 1t will not be
a day for visitors, however, and the sher-
if has signified his intention of carrying
out the courts sentence absolutely A ply
stefan, minister, newspaper men and
deputies who are to assist in the execution
Will comprise ali who will be in the cor
ridors. The other prisoners will be lock-
ed in their cells before the hour for the
trap to drop and will probably know little
of what is going on, except possibly to
hear the drop.
Graham was visited by several colorcd
ministers during the day. There seems to
be lack of reality about the whole pro-
ceeding to him, and, while he sings and
prays with his spiritual advisers he has
little to say about his future welfare. lie
has few facial marks of intelligence, and
is unable to converse very well with those
who visit him. Several friends were i'd
mitted to his cell during the day His at
torneys also stopped at the Jail and ex-
pressed their belief to Graham that the
petition sent to the Governor asking
communication of sentence to life imprisoa-
ment would not be granted and that the
death penalty would have to be paid. This
was depressing news, as he has placed
much confidence in the result of this last
resort.
Sheriff Roman has completed all arrange
ments al the jail, and there remains but
few matters to be attended to. The gall
lows mechanism was oiled yesterday thor
oughly for the first time in several years
and tested to see that everything was in
proper working order. Padding is Used
on all parts where it is necessary in order
to kill sound. When everything is in read
mess, the man who will spring the trap
advances to the south end of the execution
cell, and from the first floor pulls little
cord, which springs the doors above and
| let's the doomed man fall into space