The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-29

Benjamin H. Smell is condemned to die
upon the scaffold today for the murder of
| thirteen-year old Lizzie Weisenberger, on
August 6. last. At high noon the doomed
| man will be led forth from the cell in the
District Jail. in which he has been con-
fined for many months.
Smell spent last night in much tho same
| manner in which he has spent many dur
ing the last six months. He rested but
little and his sleep seemed to be disturbed
by unpleasant dreams. Yesterday for the
first time since he has been confined in
jail he asked to see spiritual adviser.
he expressed preference for Father Ma
suire. OF st. Patrick's Catholic Church,
who was sent for and was soon with the
condemned man.
Father Mcguire called upon Smell yes
terday afternoon and remained with him
| until about p. IN. He will return again
this morning to visit Smell, but it was not
| definitely determined last night whether
or not Father Mcguire would accompany
| him to the scaffold
Snell's wife and married daughter vis-
tied him for the last time at the Jail yes
| terday. The interview was very painful
one to witness. Mrs. Smell was deeply
distressed. but restrained herself during
The time She was in the presence of her
husband The ordeal. however. was too
much for the daughter. She broke down
| and wept bitterly and her parting with her
| father was sad one
Mrs Smell has completed arrangements
Tor the burial Of her husband and as soon
as practicable after the execution his body
VIII be turned over to her for irlterment
A desire has been expressed by certain To-
cal physicians and surgeons to examine
ohell Drain after the execution. but Mrs.
Sneii Would not consent to this being done.
During the last few days Smell -as con-
versed several times with Rev John Rob-
erts. colored who does missionary work
at the Jail. and in all his conversations,
VII. Rooerts states. the condemned man
claimed to be insane and often supplement-
ed this statement by saying that all those
who do not believe that his mind is unbal-
anced are themselves insane.
Mr.. Roberts advised Shell to call the
attention OF the Jail physician to the con-
dition of his mind and ask that it be ex-
amined To this Smell is said to have
replied:
Why there is no use in doing that:
the doctors would only laugh at me-
did tell one physician and he laughed at
me. inen referring to the fact Il at
Smell was about to die. Mr.. Roberts told
him OF the necessity of asking forgive
ness for the crime he had committed
This Smell stated he could not do because
he had done nothing for which he should
ask to be forgiven.
They say that / killed some one."
he said, but do not believe it."
All preparations for the execution of
Smell were perfected yesterday by Warden
Harris. On account of the great size and
weight OF the condemned man a larger
rope than usual will be used. The one
which will be employed today is what is
known as a seven-eighths rope and will
be fifty feet long. When Smell was taken
to the jail he weighed 800 pounds Now
he weighs 280. 3.- ~ ''i
To avoid any trouble or mishap in con-
nection with the execution Warden Har-
ris has ordered the whole force OF Jail
guards to report for duty this morning
On previous similar occasions Warden
Harris has caused the execution as soon
after noon as practicable. and 1t is pretty
certain that this custom will be adhered
to today.