The evening times., 1899-05-11
condemned man
loses His NERVE
Edmonia Jackson's Slayer Pa
ces His Cell in Distress.
Edward Smith Consents to Seek
Spiritual Advice.
Visits of Father Matthews Seem to
Restore His COmpOsure-TO BE
Hanged Tomorrow.


jackson. who is to be hanged at the Dis
trict Jail tomorrow. and whose brayado
since his trial has excited the wonder OF
the jail officials, has broken down COM
pletely. Smiths apparent lack Of anything
like human feeling throughout the pro-
ceedings against him and the brutality of
his crime made the guards at the prison
little careful in their treatment OF him.
When the two men who were hanged last
week were allowed spiritual advisers one
was also sent to Smith. He allowed the
time. ard then requested the guards to
cease to admit him. He said that all the
preparation for his execution could be
made by himself alone, and he would not
be bothered by minister. He would not
talk to any one except when it was absolute
ly necessary, and maintained a morose and
sullen attitude toward all who came near
him. He frequently declared that he was
not afraid to die. and when the men
hanged last Friday passed his cell on their
way to the scaffold he congratulated them
in laughing manner on their composure
and nerve.
Smith seemed to regard his approach
ing execution as an ordinary event. and
suit Of clothes to be buried in. Warden
Harris promised that he should have these
and nothing more was said on the subject.
Early this week Smith commenced to
show signs Of nervousness. Instead Of sit
ting quietly in his cell he would get up
and walk to and fro in the narrow space
between the bed and the wall. wiring his
hands and shake his head from side to
side. His agitation reached such a stage
on Tuesday that Warden Harris decided
to have a talk with the murderer and see
il anything could be done. AS soon as he
arrived at the Jail the warden went to
Smiths cell and asked him why he would
not have spiritual adviser. Smith re-
piled that he knew he was lost. and no
spiritual adviser would do him any good.
His crime was the most horrible a man
could have committed, he said. and he
knew he could not be forgiven. Warden
Harris remained in the cell with the con-
demned man for a long time trying to
calm him, but Smith seemed to be utterly
Frustrated by the realization Of his fate.
He finally consented to see Father James
r. Matthews, OF ST. Cyprian's Catholic
Church, and the priest was sent for. He
remained in The cell with the condemned
man for some time, and when he departed
Smith seemed to be in better spirits. Yes
terday morning, however. another reac-
ton occurred and the man was SO nervous
that he could not eat his breakfast. The
Jail physician was sent for and powerful
stimulants were administered. after which
the murderer grew quieter and was able to
partake of food. Father Matthews called
on him again yesterday afternoon and re-
mained with him until late in the even
ing.
This morning Smith seemed to be COM
posed again and said he had made his
peace with God. Father Matthews called
at the Jail again and it is probable that
he will remain with the condemned man
until tonight. II is not thought he will
sit up with him tonight but he will ac-
company him to the scaffold.
Smith has been given several delicacies
outside OF the prison fare with his meals.
although he has not expressed any desire
for change in his food. Eggs are served
him with each meal. and he also has a sup
ply Of fruit. A regular death watch has
not been set on the murderer, but he has
been under surveillance since the execu-
ton Of Strathers and Winston last week.
Warden Harris is opposed to all theatrical
display at the executions. and has rot set
a man beside the door of the cell, as was
the custom in former times. The warden
is not apprehensye of any trouble with
Smith tomorrow when the time Of execu-
tion arrives, and he thinks the condemned
man will go through the ordeal in a sat
lSIactOTy manner ne crime 1Or Wnlcn
Smith is to hang is one of the most brutal
in detail that has ever been committed in
the District of Columbia. He killed his
mistress, Edmonia Jackson, while she slept.
with an AK. He hacked her head and
body in such manner that she was hardly
recognized when found several days after
the crime was committed.
After killing the woman Smith placed
her body under the bed in which he slept
and remained in the house for almost a
week after the murder, sleeping and eat
ing in the room with the blood flowing
over the floor and the mangled corpse
beneath the bed covering. He was tried
and convicted three times, and was SEN
fenced to be hanged twice.
Smitk is the last of the condemned men
confined in the Jail. There are several
men there who have been convicted Of
murder, two of whom will probably hang
in the near future, but the sentence of the
1orx, ha, ~