New-York tribune., 1900-08-25
WAS SENTENCED.
HASTILY TAKEN FROM CLEVELAND TO
AKRON COURT AND SENT on TO
COLUMBUS PFNITFNTTA

Cleveland. Aug. 24-This afternoon a closed
carriage drove UP 10 the County Jail. Peck. the
Akron negro, with a prison keeper named
Washer, DR.. A X FoUser, Of Akron and Sheriff
Mcconnell, OF this city hurried out Of the jail
and Jumped into the carriage. They were driven
rapidly 10 the Union Railway Station where the
prisoner and the Akron men boarded a Cleve-
land, Akron and Columbus train. II was said
that Akron was their destination. Washer re-
fused to talk further than 10 say that Peck
would plead guilty to the charge OF criminal
assault and would be Immediately sentenced
Prosecutor Wanamaker convened the Grand
Jury at Akron this afternoon. and an indict-
ment was ar once returned against Peck A
telegram from e correspondent on board the
train bearing Peck and the Akron officials
states they are bound for Akron; that il has
been arranged for the militia. at Akron 10 meet
the train, and that the court would be ready
TO begin the trial Of Peck the moment he ar
rives. Peck will doubtless at once plead guilty
10 the charge against him, and receive his SEN
tence. He will be taken TO Columbus tonight
Akron. Ohio Aug. 24-The train carrying the
negro Peck arrived here at $50 p. m. \ car
riage was waiting at the railway station and
Peck was quickly bundled into il In three
minutes the courthouse was reached and Peck
arraigned before Judge Nye The fndicJ-
ment was read Peck stood up and pleaded
guilty. He declared that he had nothing 70 say
except that he threw himself on the mercy Of
the Court The Court then sentenced Peck 10
life Imprisonment in the State Penitentiary.
Troops were on guard at the railway station
and along the route TO the courthouse There
was no demonstration whatever.
After Peck had been sentenced he was at once
taken in a closed carriage 10 the Centre-st
crossing Of the Cleveland. Akron and Columbus
Railway and placed board the train, in
charge OF Sheriff Kelly. and taken TO the State
Penitentiary at Columbus
So quickly and quietly was Peck brought into
the city, sentenced and sent 10 Columbus that
few persons knew what had happened. There
was no crowd at the railway either when the
trairrarrived or departed The few who glanced
at the rapidly driven carriage had no suspicion
that il contained the man the furious mob OF
Wednesday night wanted 10 lynch Peck was
taken in at the rear door Of the courthouse.
There was a stir among the soldiers crowding
10 the rear of the courtroom.
Judge D. J. Nye, OF Elyria, presided. He
rived in Akron at noon to-day. Two minutes
after Peck reached the court. Deputy Sheriff
Hershey read the Indictment. Peck stood up
with manacled hands. He pleaded guilty in a
firm voice His worn eyes shifted nervously
about the room Then he sat down and Prose
cutor Wannamaker whispered with him briefly
Then Judge Nye said: Mr.. Peck. you have
heard the indictment read charging you with
rape. You have pleaded guilty. Have you any
thing to say?"
I have nothing 10 say except that I throw
myself on the mercy OF the Court, replied Peck
Continuing Judge Nye said: In crimes such
that TO which you have pleaded guilty there
is only one penalty provided That is inprison-
ment for life 1t is the Judgment OF the Court
that you be confined in the penitentiary for
Ou F,hurfh