Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-16

made a confession and this morning he
was given communion A few minutes be-
fore the march to the gallows was begun
Father Gardner read the prayers for the
dying. Berry, who had previously put on
new suit of clothes, followed, his spiritual
advisers from the>cell through the rear
door and up fifteen steps to the platform
of the scaffold. Deputy Sheriff Tighe led
the procession, while John Clark and Hal
lie Moran walked with Berry. When the
prisoner, with his arms bound, appeared
at the door near the foot of the scaffold
he took good look at the gruesome struc-
ture and then scanned the crowd. Not
relative or friend was there, but near
relative of his victim was in the crowd.
Come to See Justice Done.
Seated on the door step was an elderly
woman, Mrs. Hoile, former resident of
Washington. who said she had come sew
eral miles to see that justice was DONE
The guard on duty at the gate did not
want to admit her, but she had pass from
the sheriff, and she insisted upon being ad-
mitted as matter of right
Are you afraid l can't stand it!" she
asked.
"Well-' hestated the guard.
you needn't be afraid of that MIS-
Hoile interrupted. II saw Pinkney and Bar
ber hanged, and if 1 could stand seeing two
| stand one I
Berry ascended the steps without dis
playing the least signs of nervousness, and
stood on the scaffold taking deep inter-
est in affairs Deputy Sheriff Tighe was
adjusting the moose and getting the black
cap ready. About three minutes were spent
in this way. All this time Berry remained
unmoved, except to look first at the priests
and then at the officials and spectators,
Finally the signal was given, and the soul
of the condemned murderer was sent to
eternity.
Interest in' the Hanging.
During the early hours of the morning
there was nothing about the town to indi-
cate that ~ unusual happening would
claim the attention of the people. Men
went about their work as usual, and many
of them did their best to see through
crack in the fence the occupant of the mur-
derer's cell. Some of them even climbed to
the fence top, but Berry was too busily en-
gagged in his religious devotions to pay any
attention to them. There was not the rush
of business at the hotels that is usual on
such occasions, and it was not until after
breakfast time that any apparent interest
In the hanging was manifested. 1t was
certain that the event would not take place
earlier than the usual hour, and for this rea-
SON the residents of the town, well as
those from the surrounding country who
wanted to witness the affair, did not gather
about the Jail early in the morning. About
o'clock the crowd began to gather about
the prison, and in a short time most of the
available space was occupied The fences.
nOuSetOpS ana roofs OF OutDullGlnSS seated
quite a good crowd. Men, women and chill
dren were in the gathering, many colored
women seeming particularly anxious to wit
ness the hanging. The white ones of the
fair sex who saw the trap sprung were
either in houses or on the hill across the
creek, from where they could see, but could
not be seen. And a number of them view
ed the revolving spectacle. Among the
spectators were a number of Washington
ians. Some of them came on bicycles, 9TH
ers in vehicles, ard still others came on the
train. There were several ex-sheriffs of the
county In attendance, as well as several
others who hope to fill the Office in the
future
Soon after the body was taken down and
put in the coffin the crowd dispersed, al
though a few people remained to see the
body taken to Mt. Carmel cemetery and
placed in the grave
Had a Fill of Watermelon.
Berry had his fill of watermelon yester-
day afternoon before leaving the Baltimore
Jail. 1t was perhaps the best melon he had
ever eater in his life, and never before had
he enjoyed one so early in the season. This
he admitted to Star reporter in the fail
last night, and the mere mention of the
luscious fruit called out a loud laugh, such
ly be expected to give. After eating as
much melon as he wanted he smoked a fine
Havana cigar, such as he had never before
enjoyed: and when Sheriff Robey and Depu-
ty snerih Curley arrived at the Baltimore
prison Berry, with an air Of relief. said;
"Pm ready" He had enjoyed himself in
the baltimore Jail, but the suspense had
been Great, and realizing that there was no
hope for him. Berry was anxious that the
terrible ordeal should be over.
II have nothing to fear" he said, when
Father Boone. his spiritual adviser, had left
onciled," he added, land why should fight
against the win Of the LordY'
Warden Hall, whose kindness to Berry
had been fully appreciated. was able to
grant every request he made, with one ex-
Npntlnued on Fourteenth Paeel