Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-08-25
A DOUBLE EXECUTION.
Taylor and Brown Pay the Penalty
for Murder.

Tor the murder of Louis Rosenstein and his
wife at Slidel, this county, on the 18th day
OF May last. The drop fell at 1919, A. M.
and the prisoners died from strangulation.
After the moose had been placed around
his neck Taylor declared that he killed both
the Rosensteins himself, and that Brown
was not in it," Brown died saying ~ am
innocent. Both men weakened greatly be-
fore the execution, and went to their death
without any air of bravado.
The execution was conducted In an ex.
tremely quiet and orderly manner. Not
large number of persons was present, the
Sheriff resisting the great pressure brought
to bear on him for tickets and carrying out
his disagreeable task in strict conformity
with the letter of the law. The crowd with.
in the Jail yard included officers, physicians,
newspaper men and witnesses.
The condemned men spent their last night
on earth much as they had spent many
nights in Jail. They went to sleep about
1915 o'clock, after Brown had offered a
lengthy prayer Previous to this Mrs. Rob.
ertson and Mrs. Cornell, the latter matron
OF the Jail, sang several hymns at the re-
quest Of the prisoners. Brown awoke and
got up at 4 o'clock, and after another prayer
slept until $50. Taylor awoke about 5
o'clock The latter sang in drawing way
over and over again, Trusting in the Lord"
At 6:45 Father Coleman of Frederick,
and Eatbar Nunnopa IF thia ,laca tho on;
itual advisers of Brown, arrived and prayed
with him for some time.
AT s O'Clock the men were served with
breakfast. The meal of each consisted OF
ham and eggs, coffee and bread. Brown ate
the larger meal.
Taylor, both before and after breakfast,
smoked cigars and evidently enjoyed them.
In reply to a question he said he didn't
mind dying much, and was told that lots of
other people would die that day. To that
he replied:
eyes, but the only thing that bothers me
is that you have to be dead such long
time"
Asked whether he proposed to say any
thing on the scaffod, Taylor said he had
told the truth to the preacher, and would
say nothing on the scaffold.
Just before the start for the scaffold lit
tie colored boy, about 10 years of age, made
his way into the Jail and announced that he
was James Brown, a son of John Alfred
Brown, and he wanted to bid his father
good bye. He was taken into Browns cell,
where he remained 10 minutes His father
kissed him and gave prayer book that had
been han ded by the priests.
A few minutes after 10 o'clock Deputy W.
Frank Gather notified Brown that the time
of execution had arrived, and Deputies Con.
nell and Embrey gave a like message TO
Taylor Both men said they were ready.
The mems hands were quickly strapped be-
hind them, and 1914 the solemn procession
to the scaffold was begun.
Revs. Osborne Ingle and Howard Eng
land led the way, and behind them walked
Deputy Embrey. Next came Taylor, the
triple murderer, arrayed in brown suit,
and wearing green necktie. AS he neared
the door that led into the Jail yard, the full
light of day fell upon his face, and then it
could be seen that in appearance he was far
from being the same man that was tried at
Frederick in July. His coal black face had
become almost ashen and his cheeks were
hollow. The look of ferocity, that at Fred
erck made him look like a Gagged hyena,
was gone. Taylor, blood thirsty and red
handed, had been tanned by the stern real
ties of the situation. His step was weak
and unsteady His bravado was gone, the
ferocty was gone, and in their stead could
only be seen absolute detection.
Behind Taylor was Deputy John A. 5elby
and next came Deputy Wheatly. Then
came Deputy Howes, followed by Fathers
Coleman and Cunnsne, reading the prayers
for the dying Next was Brown, the con-
demned, arrayed much like Taylor, and
wearing a black tie with red dots. He
to be as nervous as Taylor. He was even
more changed than Taylor. All his beard
had b, en- shaved off except his moustache,
and his ashen cOuntenance and furrowed
face made him appear much older than he
really was. Around his neck was a rosary,
and he moved his lips in silent prayer. Be-
hind him was Deputies Gather, Jones and
Council, and Sheriff Thompson, with the
black caps in his side pockets, brought up
the rear.
The steps of the scaffold were only half a
dozen feet from the jail door, and before
Brown was outside of the Jail Taylor was on
his way up the scaffold They were steadIed
on the way up the steps, and quickly the
doomed negroes took their places on the
big trap. They faced the Jail wall TO the
north ward, Brown standing to the right
Near him were his spiritual advisers, while
the Episcopal ministers stood on the oppo.
site side of the trap and TO the rear Of Tay-
lor. All read prayers while the mems legs
were being strapped. The prisoners stood
three feet apart Sheriff Thompson adjusted
the nooses frst on Taylor and then on
Brown. They stood the ordeal fairly well,
Drawing HI lut "ullO oh' ooyihb' HciN
Jesus, receive my soul into Thy hands do
| commend my soul"
The nooses adjusted, Sheriff Thompson
said
Taylor, have you anything to say p
Then, in husky voice, as everyone in
the little throng crowded close to the scat
fold to catch every word Taylor said
81 want TO say what said before. did
all the killing and Brown wasn't 10 it.
say now, "a | said first and told Sheriff
Thompson, that did it all want To say
10 you mem
But the sentence was not concluded, for
Mr.. England cut him of by saying;
"You have said enough don't say any
more"
The prisoner needed the warning and