The times., 1899-07-24
TWO TO DIE IN AUGUST
The Preparations for the Hanging
of Colored Murderers.
Executive CIcmency May, However,
Save the Neck of William IL. Reed
Sullen and Wants No Spiritual Con-
ISOLATION - Two Appeals Pending.

There are two prisoners in the District
JAN under sentence to be hanged during
the month OF August. They are William
Kesley Reed and James Powell, both col
ored. The date of execution Of the for
mer is August 4, and OF the latter. August
Is Both were convicted during the Aprn
term Of the Supreme Court OF the Dis
trict.
In the case of Reed, it seems 10 be gen
orally conceded that his sentence Will be
commuted to imprisonment for life, because
Of the uncertainty Of his responsibility fol
the crime he committed. This uncertain
ty is based on the claim OF his insanity,
which, while the affection was not shown
TO have developed TO any extent in the
prisoner, there was strong evidence at his
trial 10 show that several of his relatives
had died insane, or are now confined IN
institutions for the care and treatment OF
persons suffering from diseased minds,
Reed was convicted Of the murder of Eliza
beth Logan, woman who, IL was deVel-
oped at the trial, had discarded him. The
killing of the woman. as proved by
the testimony at the trial. was deliberate.
and although not surrounded by any shock
ing or brutal details, was as he3rtless and
cold -blooded a crime as was ever COM
wait for the woman. and when she ap-
pesred upon the scene engaged her in con-
Versation, disarming her OF suspicion OF
any intended violence on his part, and in
an unexpected moment, without the
slightest warning, plunged knife which
he held concealed in his hand UP 10 the
hilt in her heart.
After his conviction, Reeds attorneys
filed q motion for a new trial. which was
aH and farn led y
taken 10 the Court of Appeals.
In the mean time Reeds relatives end
friends made an appeal 10 the President
for Executive clemency. Il is understood
that this appeal. owing 10 the circum-
stances surrounding the killing and the
testimony offered as to the condition oi
the aecused's mind, has been endorsed by
the District Attorney.
On Saturday, the appeal 10 the Court oi
Appeals, having been denied, the warrant
OF execution OF Reed was forwarded tC
Warden Harris at the District jail. Th'
necessary preparation for the execution
will be made at the jail, notwithstanding
the good reason to believe that the murde
sentence will be commuted so that ON th'
morning of August 1, the date fixed TO
the execution everything will be read!
in case President Mckinley declines Il
use his prerogative in this matter.
sentence of execution, was convicted of tht
murder OF William Patrick Lee, also col
ored. The testimony in the case, while
very conflicting, as 10 the circumstance:
which led to the fatal ARRAY, which result
ed In the killing of Lee, was conclusive
as 10 PowelTs guilt OF malicious and in
territorial murder. The fact that the twf
men had had a previous quarrel on th'
night on which the murder was committed
he fss-.
aggressor in the fight which resulted ia II,
killing OF Lee In fact. the time whicl
elapsed between the TWO difficulties whicl
are said 10 have taken place between III,
men was so short as to leave doubt a.
10 whether It was one continued ailray oi
two separate fights. The reason given b!
the witnesses for saying that there wer,
two fights between Powell and Lee gai
that the trouble between them commence,
at one place and ended at another. nearl,
block and half away. The killing il
this case was also done by means OF
knife.
There is another murderer in the Dis
trict jail whose trial attracted more atten
tion and interest than any OF the other
tried for crime during the last year II
the criminal courts Of the District. he j
George w. Horton, formerly a member o
the District police force who on the even
ing OF June "a. 1898. murdered Mrs. Jan
Nicholson in Armory Park Horton ]
sentenced to be hanged on November il
The circumstances under which he too
the life of Mrs. Nicholson were such a
To leave him without any hope Of acquitta
Although over year confined In jail, b
has refused to seek consolation from
spiritual adviser. Even since his con
yiction last May he has maintained tn
same dogged sullenness which character
lied his actions since his imprisonment.
Horton pleaded insanity. and every effol
Was made by his counsel to show that Il