The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-07-27
ADMITS HIS ngINOUS CRIME
Black Tells OF His Vi1lainy to a
Representative or The Agis.
TO BE HANGED AUGUST 3lst.

| Drunk ON AmbrOsia-DOes Not He-
| member DefaiIs-'.Ts Truly Penf-
TENT" SO he says, s'And is Preparing
For Higher Things A.>
On Friday Governor Smith signed the death
| WARRANT Of William Black, the Condemned
negro rsvisher. The date of the execution is
set for Friday, August 3lst, before 2 O'Clock,
p NJ.
The paper was read to the condemned man
last Saturday evening by Sheriff Kiuhart, il
the waideu's Office of the Baltimore city jail,
in the presence of Warden Doyle, Deathwatch
Denoow and representative of The EgiS.
When the negro was ushered in he presented
the same appearance as when first incarca-
rated except that ne has grown stouter. Hat
| less and coatless, he never for an instant took
his eyes off OF the Sheriff while bearing his
doom, and only once, When that official came
over the words land be hanged by the neck
until he be dead, - did he show the slightest
emotion. At these words he gave all involur-
tary shudder.
The Sheriff read the warrant in an impress
sive manner, andthe soIemuDess of the scene
was one that those present will never forget.
At the conclusion Warden Doyle motioned
the guard to remove the prisoner, but he was
allowed to remain, as it was apparent that he
was suffering from some hidden emotion.
Since his conviction Black had made several
illusions to the crime to his deathwatcb, but
had held out that he was not guilty.
After allowing him to somewhat regain his
composure, The Agis representative called
him to o corner of the room and drew him
into conversation, He was assured that
there was no possible hope for him by either
Communication or reprieve, and that he would
positively DO hung on August 3lst." show
long off is that ?" he queried anxiousIy.
Upon being told he held his head meditatively
The silence was broken by the question being
asked him whether he was willing to die with
the lie on his lips that he has persstently ed
hered to and he was urged to try to make
what amends he could, in tho short time he
had to live, BY making clean breast Of the
rocking himself to and fro. The writer then
pointed out to him his heinous crime, for
which he conld only expect the complete de-
testation of the human race alike, and that his
only hope was beyond the igrcminious death |
on the scaffold.
Black then drew himself up and said 81 did |
It; aud want you to tell the people how sorry |
am for what have done. 1t cannot now be |
helped, and have given up all hope here and |
placed my thoughts on higher things" He |
WAS pressed as to whether he realized fully 4
what the awful crime was he had Just confess
cd being guilty of. lie reiterated his words, |
saying almost In a moan, ~ never expected |
to'come 10 this"
lie then. spoke voubly Of the crime and told |
of his going home and changing his clothes |
afterwards and hiding In the woods until |
nightfall and bis trip to Baltimore. lie SAID, !
however, that be did not cross the railroad |
bridge as WAS supposed; but that he came by
way Of the Philadelphia turnpike through
Abingdon to Baltimore, and went down the |
bay on dredging vessel, as has heretofore
been published. He said that he had been
drinking ambrosia on the day of the assault |
and had no distinct recollection OF what had /
happened until sitter the crime had been COM
mitted. He then realized the full horror of
it aud sought safety by flight. He was
questioned very closely as to whether ne had
ever seen the victim before. He emphatically
declared that he had to his knowledge never
seen her before. This part OF his story,
rigid questioning would net shake. He said
that years ago he had worked for Mr.. Brad
ford, but was not aware that he was the same
man until recently.
He expressed hope to bid his mother good
bye, and seemed to show deep concern as
whether he would'b allowed to do so or not.
The negro is in charge OF deathwatches
Denbow and Corum, and he is never eft alone
for an instant for fear he might make way
with himself. 1t was on account OF this that |
Sheriff Kinhart has kept him so closely guard
ed. No one is allowed N see hin except his
spiritual advisers. His meals are supplied
from the warden's table.
a. Black is negro of more than Ordinary in
teligence. He can read and write, ard talks
quite inteligenty. lie has rather Il forbid
ding look, and although small in stature, he
looks quite powerful.
The confession of Black will, in measure e,
relieve the feelings OF every one. While there
was not the slightest doubt about his b, ing
the guilty party. yet up to the time he told his
story to The Egis representative, be had stout
ly maintained hfs innocence, snd the clesn
breast be made of the affair will set any queries
at rest. The confession was not obtained
without trouble, and it was only tue senss of
duty as Journalist that impe'!ed the Wi er
to force the miserable wretch to tell the truth.
We understandable Black has since told his
story to one of his deathwatches, reiterating
some Of the same points of his confession.
Such, at least, was pubisbedi in Monday Bal
tmore dnilies