Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-09

CUTI0N CARRIED OUT VERY
SUCCESSFULLY - CONDEMNED
MAN MANIFESTED GREAT RE
LIGIOUS ZEAL, SPENDING HIS
TIME IN PRAYING AND READ
ING HIS BIBLE-THE DEATH
WARRANT READ-THE MARCH
TO THE SCAFF0LD AND LAST
SCENES IN THE LIFE OF THE
UNFORTUNATE MAN - THE
CRIME FOR WHICH THE NEGRO
SWUNG.
AT an early hour this morning, Frank
Broadenax, the brutal negro murderer,
paid the penalty fixed by the civil and
moral code for the Staying OF fellow
man. The sentence of the court. pro-
bounced after fair and impartial trial,
was carried into execution; he was
hanged by the neck until dead The
crime of Broadenax was cold-blooded.
There were no mitigating circum-
stances, yet Governor Atkinson lis
tened to his plea of accidental shoot
ing, and made the investigation he
asked, which failed to substantiate his
story.
The condemned man, who Is q mulatto,
and possesses more than the average
intelligence of his race, spent his last
day in preparing for eternity. Ever
since his confinement in the State
prison awaiting execution, Broadenax
has appeared to realize the gravity OF
his position. and the Rev. b. M. Spur,
Episcopal clergyman of MoundsvilIe,
experienced no difficulty in interesting
him in spiritual matters. The Rev. Mr..
Spur has not only looked after his
spiritual welfare, but has rendered all
the assistance in his power to enable
Broadenax to establish the proof OF ac-
cidental shooting When the stay Ct
execution was granted by Governor At
kinson, he proceeded to Mcdowell coun-
ty for the purpose of securing tram
script of the evidence to be reviewed BY
the Governor.
During the last few days of his life,
Broadenax has manifested great re-
ligious zeal. He has not only been a
constant reader of his own Bible. but
he has exhorted Walker and Madison,
two condemned men from Fayette coun-
ty,. to make their peace with God.
Yesterday he did not pace up and down
his cell, like wild animal in cage, as
stated In an evening paper, but devoted
nearly all his time to praying and read
ing his Testament
Broadenax was upon his knees Offer
ing up a prayer when Register re-
porter visited him in the afternoon. He
prayed with great fervor and with evil
dent sincerity. and the Fayette county
murderers were also upon their knees
at his solicitation.
When he had concluded the Register
man asked him II he we're ready to die.
He answered in the affirmative. lie
was asked IL he would make any state
ment concerning the crime Of which he
was convicted. He replied that be In
tended to write a story OF the crime
before he walked to the scaffold. His
spiritual adviser had urged him -
make confession II he were guilty.
The condemned man asked for no
special food during the day. but par
took heartily Of the meals furnished
by Warden Hawk.
official notification by mail from Cow
ernor Atkinson that be would not in
terfere with the carrying out OF the
sentence OF the court. The Governor
had communicated with the Warden
over the long distance phone on Sum
day. Warden Hawk then began pre-
parations for the execution, the details
of which were somewhat different from
the first hanging under the new State
law, which took place on October 10th,
in that this morning the trap was
sprung By electricity. There was no
new rope. as stated in an evening
paper. The rope used was the Identical
Irvine which swung shep Caldwell into
eternity few weeks ago.
At eight o'clock last evening the Rev.
Mr. Spur arrived at the prison and
proceeded at once TO The cell Of the
condemned man He administered
such spiritual consolation as the ocea-
sion made possible and Broadenax list
ened very attentiyeiy.
At eleven o'clock two convicts named
Burwell and Forgey. who are serving
life sentences, sang several hymns.
Broadenax joining in voice which
cid not falter and in manner which
indicated that ne was obliyious OF tho
awful fate which awaited him within
A few short hours. AbOuf fhfa TINA.