The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-10
CHARL0N'S DAY OF DOOM.
MURDERER OF HARRY MLEoD
READY TO PAY DEATH PENALTY.

Between the Hours of 10 and the
Crime VIII BE Legally Avenged.
Preparations for the Hanging
CompIete-CharIon Passes the
Time in singing and Reading the
Scriptures-Was Baptised by Rev.
Prince Black Three Weeks Ago.
Believes That His Sins Have Been
Forgiven and Is Calm and Com
posed in the Face of Deatli-Ex-
presses Repentance for the Murder
of Mcleod.
John Charlton, the convicted and twice
sentenced murderer of Harry Mcleod.
viii be hanged between 10 and 4 o'clock
to-day. Preparations for the hanging have
already been made and al some time be
tween the hours fixed by law for the exc
cution OF convicted felons the drop win
fall and the cruel and unprovoked murder
Of Mcleod be legally avenged
Clarion sti1 occupies the cell on The
third floor of the jail in which he has been
for some time confined, and whence ne
viii be removed at the hour appointed for
his execution 10 the death cell on the sec
ond floor. just when this Will be has
not been given out by the sheriff nor viii
it be until this morning The doomed man
his attorneys the ministers who have been
attending him during his last days on
earth, newspaper men and the jail Off
cials are the only ones who VIII be inform
ed of the time fixed for the hanging or
know that II has taken place until after
the drop has fallen and Clarion is dead.
Charlton himself has asked that the hour
be fixed at 10 O'Clock, the earliest time at
which the execution can legally take place.
but At is doubtful il ii viii be possible TO
comply with his wishes in this respect. The
man has for some weeks been apparently
completely resigned 10 his fate, and his
desire TO have the hour of his execution
made as early as possible is in accordance
with his expressed belief that his sins have
been forgiven and his faith in mis- eleI-
nal salvation is sure The fact that the
Superior Court does not convene until 10
o'clock, and that there are several cases
on the docket to be tried to-day. indicates
that the execution wiH take place at some
later hour during the morning when Sher-
i'll Romans presence viii not be demanded
in the court room.
The street outside OF the jaR. upon
day when an execution is 10 take place. Is
always thronged with a crowd of morbid
curiosity seekers, until the noise of the
iaillng trap and the wall of terror by
which the other occupants of the jail al
ways receive this sound announce the
close of the gruesome ceremony. Most OF
the members of these crowds are negroes.
some Of whom believe that a piece of the
rope which a man has been hanged is
potent 10 keep away disease, IN fortune and
"a f4fa
pieces OF rope TO be used for this purpose.
which are Of course uniformly refused.
Rev. Prince Black pastor OF the Clifton
Baptist Church, has been Charlon's spir-
luaI adviser and under his ministrations
ana eXhortations the murderer has pro
fessed the repentance of his sins and his
belief that they have been forgiven. Char
ION received the sacrament of baptism
nearly three weeks ago, administered by
heV. Black, and since that time has s. ent
his days in reading the Bible and singing
hymns. He is resigned and patient, and
has manifested nothing of the almost hys-
terlcal religious enthusiasm. with which
most condemned negro murderers seem to
be afflicted On the contrary, he is quiet
and orderly, and has been a model pris-
oner. Clarion told Rev Black that he
repented especially OF the murder OF Mr..
Mcleod, but that the crime had been com
mltted when he was too much under the
influence of liquor TO be completely sensb-
bic of what he had done and that he be-
lieved this sin had been forgiven him with
the others
Sheriff Roman says that Charlton bears
up under the prospect of approaching
death better than any of the men who
have passed to the gallows in the Jail of
Chatham county. There is not a tremor
in his voice when ne speaks, and he eats
well and heartily. His repentance, at least.
appears to be deep and sincere. He has
made up his mind that death is inevitable
and is determined to face il calmly and
without flinching. Rev, Black Will admin
ister 10 the doomed man this morning the
communion. and will join with him in
singing and the reading of the Scriptures
From these rites Charlton will pass 10 his
death.