The times., 1899-03-17
MARTHA PLACE NOTIFIED.
She Must Die I'm the Week beginning
Next Monday.

Sing Sing. March 16.-Mrs Martha NJ,
Place, who will be the first woman 10 suffer
capital punishment in this State sinco ex-
ecution by electricity was introduced. re-
ceived in her cell at Sing Sing Prison this
morning the news that Governor Roosevet
had declined to interfere in her beha T.
either by pardon or by communication OF
sentence. Mrs. Place was convicted in Juy
last OF the murder of her stepdaughter in
Brooklyn. on February of last year. at
which time she attempted TO X II her hus-
band also. The Court OF App unaGi-
mously affirmed the judgment CT the lower
court.
The only hope for the woman's life rested
on an application for executive clemeney.
based ON the ground OF alleged insanity.
although 1t was possible that she might
take an appeal to the United States SD
preme Court. which might give her d short
stay. The result of her examination by in
sanity experts showed that she was sane
Upon official notice from Albany 1t was
communicated to Mrs. Place today.
After days of suspense the condemned
shook with apprehension when Warden
Sage entered her cell shortly after o'clock
this morning. His words to her were:
Mrs. Place, l am very sorry to say that
have come to you again with bad news.
The physicians who were designated for the
examination into your mental condition
have made their report to the Governor.
On the strength of that report he declines
| to interfere
The woman's fortitude was sufficient to
keep her from breaking down when War
den Sage made the announcement. Shs
trembied, but did not cry cut.
DO you wish me to send for DR.. Cole,
your spiritual adviser. to come from Yonk-
ers?" asked the Warden.
Mrs. Place signified that she did desire
such action, and also that messages be
sent to her brother and her lawyer. Warden
Sage then left the cell.
| Mrs. Place also asked that her brother,
Peter Garretson, of New Brunswick. n. j.,
| be sent for. She told Warden Sage that
she would have her lawyer take her case
to the United States Supreme Court.
| Mrs. Place is in charge of Mrs. Reilly,
the matron, and Keepers Robertson and
Conges. Extra instructions to be vigilant
were given to them lest the prisoner
! should attempt suicide. Preparations for
the execution of the sentence were pat
under way this morning The list OF wit
nesses is being selected Electrician Davis
has been sent for. and will be consulted
about minor changes suggested in the cleo
| trio apparatus in arranging the electrodes
| and straps.
| The execution OF the condemned
woman's sentence must take place in the
week beginning on Monday next. The day
on which she must die had not been ap-
pointed when inquiry was made at the
prison today. nor had it been determined
whether or not the woman would first be
removed to the cells near the death cham
| ber where a man in similar case would
await his death.
1T is no proper place for a woman IN
der the existing arrangements was tie
comment today.
| 1t is regarded as improbable that women
| will be in attendance at the execution of
the sentence. The electric chair provides
! for the application of the poles at the base
of the brain and at the calf OF the leg.
Warden Sage said today that the applica-
tions would be made without any viola
tion CT propriety. The question as TO what
clothing the woman will wear has not been
| settled.