The times., 1899-12-09

George ". Horton, the slayer Of Mrs.
Jane Nicholson. was hanged at the District
Jail shortly after noon yesterday.
The execution was devoid of any sensa-
tiOnal details, and the condemned man ex-
hibited great courage. The drop fell at
l2:12. Horizons neck was broken by the
fall, causing almost instant death. The
remains were turned over to an undertaken
and viii be inferred in the Congressional
Cemetery this afternoon by Mrs. Horton.
The execution was accomplished without
a single mishap as every detail had been
carefully attended to and the utmost order
prevailed. Horton bore up wonderfully
during the ordeal, and while his face was
livid and his limbs trembling, he did not
break down. as had been expected. Be
fore the moose was adjusted ne delivered a
fervent prayer from the scafTold in which
he bade farewell to the world. Before the
execution he said that he welcomed death
but dreaded dying upon gallows. He
mounted the scaffold al 1910, and two
minutes later the signal was given which
ended his life. Twelve minutes after the
drop fell. life was pronounced extinct, and
at 1885 the body was cut down.
Horton spent the entire morning IN the
company OF his spiritual advisers and de-
voted his time 70 singing hymns and pray
ing Shortly after II o'clock he went
from door 10 door and bade his fellow
prisoners goodbye. He advised them TO be
resigned and to trust in God. After bid
ding the guards farewell, he returned 10
his spiritual advisers.
At l2:05 Warden Harris entered the cell
and read the death warrant. Four minutes
later the death march 10 the gallows began.
The procession moved in the following or
der: Warden J. II. Harris, Captain of the
Guard W J. Walters, Guard James Wood
ward. then the condemned man. assisted
by Rev John Roberts, Rev. John ".
Mafchetf and Rev. J. n. Little. followed
by Deputy Warden Russ. The party moved
across the main hall and into the east
corridor in the north wing, where the exc
cution took place. On entering the long
hall, Horton gazed at the scafold erected
AT the far end and. until close 10 the steps,
seemed occupied in examining the frame
work At the foot OF the grim structure
sat the jury composed Of members Of the
press and physicians. Here the condemned
man halted for a moment and, bowling TO
those he recognized. said: Goodbye,
BOYS God bless you. Geod-byei" His face
was ghastly and his flesh livid hue. De-
spite his apparent inward terror, he pre-
served & calm exterior and ascended the
steps bravely, saying 10 the guards, Don't
push me, gentlemen. ] am all right
His Last Prayer.
When the condemned man had been as
sisted TO The centre Of the trap he seemed
20 waver, and swayed as though about TO
fall With a great effort he neryed him
self, and turning the Warden Harris said:
''One minute. please" The warden waved
81. yzr v-Es q1o
eyes. recited the following prayer:
20. Thou Almighty God, in whom my soul
has trusted. receive Thou me. o, TnOu
who hast been my friend and comforter
during these past eighteen months re-
ceive my spirit Farewell my mother, my
wife, sisters, brothers. and friends. Good
bye. God save me. God preserve me"
The cap and moose were then adjusted,
and while Horton invoked mercy upon his
soul, the trap was sprung and he shot
downward. Life was pronounced extinct
al 1924, after an examination by the jan
physician and the following assistants:
DR. Virgil B. Jackson, DR.. William T.
Burch. DR.. William L. Robins, DR.. Lie
felthaIfer. DR.. John Carraher, DR.. Morrow,
Or. Green. DR.. Thomas DoWling, Dr. SoT-
rell. and DR.. Wallace.
The body was cut down and after being
placed in a handsome casket was taken TO
the home OF Horizons widow, 707 Seventh
Street southwest Only forty-fye persons
witnessed the execution, the spectators
being limited 10 members Of the press and
physicians.
The scaffold was the same used to exc
cute Guiteau, the assassin Of Garfield,
and upon which over twenty-five mur-
derers have been hanged.
Horizons Last Letter.
The letter prepared by Horton for pub
out last night by Rev John Roberts. The
e7istIe is very lengthy and shows careful
preparation. II is replete with expressions
o. love for Mrs. Horton, and counsels
her TO put her faith in God and patiently
await q future time when he and she viii
be reunited IN heaven. There IS an IN
uistakable air OF the resignation Of the
man evident throughout the epistle, and
he IS prone TO extol the Rev. Hr. Roberts,
whom he credits with the accomplishment
OF his salvation. ITO Brother Msydwell,
Sister COwsill, Sister Joseph and Sister
Wheaton" and 10 many others Horton ex-
pressed his true love and appreciation"
His love and best wishes were offered 10
his mother, sisters, brother, and nephews
and nieces. ali Of whom he felt would join
him il heaven.
Al one point Of his letter Horton scored
the public FOR its judgment against him.
y
common sense should have taught all that
in view Of the life he mad lived before
and after the crime that il was committed
AT a time when ell reason had fed. He
characterized the sentence imposed upon
him as unjust and unreasonable. and said
that TO discuss il was disgusting 10 him.
BE f0rgaVe those whom he called his per-
secutors and those whom he claimed per
sured themselves in their testimony
against him
The letter concludes with two lines OF
verse:
There's naqght IL tiss wide world can pleasure
afford.
Like peace and conteHtIneut in serving tie
Lord
And now. I say goodbye, from your
devoted husband. in the hope Of heaven. .
Horizons Record and Crime.
Horton was for a number Of years a
member Of the Metropolitan Police Force
OF the District. lie was twice appointed
as a policeman and twice dismissed. He
was not generally regarded as a thorough,
efficient policeman, and his dismissals wer,
the result Of convictions for gross infrac,
lions OF the police rules and his relations
with the woman he murdered. He was
widely known policeman, chiefly because Il
wGs frequently transferred from one pre-,
cinct 70 another lie was ffty-one years
old and a native OF Virginia. He was
member OF the Police Relief Association
which entities his widow 10 a snug sum
The amount she viii receive Is estimated
al $3.50. representing q contribution OF s
from each member.
The crime for which Horton suffered wa,
one of the most deliberate IN the crimina
annals OF the District According 10 th,
testimony given during the trial Horton
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