Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08

physicians continued the examination and
announced that the neck had been broken
by the fall and that beyond question life
had passed away without pain beng eXpe-
rienced by Horton.
The scene on the scaffold was most dra-
matte 1t has been the practice since War
den Harris has been in charge at the jail
not to have anything in the way of speech
making during the final moments at hang
ings. III the present case the spiritual ad-
visers had been requested by the con-
denned man to arrange to have the GER
emony on the scaffold brief as possible.
Just as the moose was about to be adjusted.
however. Horton exclaimed, Wait one mo-
ment" He then gave utterance to prayer.
the impressveness of which can only be
appreciated by those within the jail at the
time The fervor of the man caused his
voice to raise until his appeal to God to re-
ceve his soul reached the proportions of a
shout.
With the words Protect my dear wife
oh, Cod on his lips the murderer passed
into eternity.
oh Thou Almighty God. in whom my
soul has ever trusted,''' Horizons prayer
began. receive Thou me. oh, Jesus, Thou
who hast been my friend for eighteen
months nearly. receive my spirit
Farewell" he said, and the voice of the
man about to die trembled with emotion
Farewell. wife, mother, sister, brother
and friends sos all rIa4sas farewell soGdbse God
dear wife. oh Cod
The Moose Adjusted.
During the last words of the prayer the
moose was adJusted and the black cap
placed in position. The deputy warden
nodded to signify that all was in readiness,
Warden Harris gave the signal to the un-
known party who was to spring the trap
and the figure shot downward Death, in
the usual acceptance of the meaning, must
have been instantaneous, for not a culver
of the body was noticed; not so much as
the reflex motion of the muscles.
AS stated, the body was almost immedi-
ately lowered In order that the physicians
might make their observations.
AS soon as he mounted the scaffold Hor-
ton admonished one of the guards not to
hurry, telling the others to take their time
in strapping his legs.
Promptly at noon the jury left the war
den's office and proceeded to the seats ar
ranged near the scaffold. The physicians
followed About five minutes later the
warden proceeded to the cell to read the
warrant of execution Horizons arms were
tied behind his back and the march to the
scaffold then began. The little procession
was led by Warden Harris Directly fol-
lowing him were the three ministers who
had been spiritual advisers of the con-
demned man. During the march they sang
Leaning on Jesus" Horton walked next
In line, with an official of the jail on either
side and several of the guards behind him.
He appeared very weak, but was apparent
~ IN full possession of his senses and nerve
AS nc eippIOdcIe the jury ne smiled faint
~, bowed and said goodbye several times
He ascended the steep stairway without
assistance and took his place on the tran
with no sign of hesitation.
Wife's Farewell Visit.
Mrs. Horton bade farewell to her husband
shortly after o'clock yesterday afternoon.
The final interview was most affectionate
The ministers of the gospel were with Hor-
ton in his cell until midnight, when he re-
tired. He was very quiet all night. al
though he remarked this morning that he
had not rested well. He arose shortly after
6 o'clock and, although served with SUBJ
stantial breakfast, ate sparingly
A close watch was maintained throughout
the night, the guard detail consisting of
W. ;. Perry, acting captain: H. A. Smith,
lieutenant; Thomas J. Mitchell south wing
officer: NJ. s. Brannigan, north wing off,
Ger, and George w. Dutton, outside Of
ficer.
Gave Way to Emotion.
For few moments early this morning
Horton gave way to tears, but soon re-
covered his composure and thereafter was
calm and collected. Late last night, in
speaking with one of the guards he made
reference to the murder of Mrs Nicholson.
1.-The evening of the killing" he said, II
looked back Mt my home, little thinking
would never enter it again. 1 entered an
estduiiSHIIeiit, uoUSnt n quantity OF couee
and proceeded to another place, where left
1t. / met Mrs. Nicholson. She complained
about not peing well. She complained
about doing a hard days work where she
was employed, ard, in addition, doing some
work for herself. She suggested that we
take seat in the park. AS We crossed the
street two electric cars were approaching
from opposite directions. She deliberately
stepped in front of one of them and it was
all that could &C to get her out of the
way in time. l told her that she had had
a narrow escape. Though l saved her life
then I killed her a minute and a quarter
later. I never quarreled with Mrs. NichoI-
son and We were On the best of terms"
Horton repeatedly declared he did not