Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-05
APPEAL To THE PRESIDENT
PETITION M BEHALF OF FRANK
WILLIAM FUNK.
Condemned Man tAI1eges That Err
lished-Saks He is Innocent.

Frank WilliamC Funk, the tenure OF whose
life depends upon the action taken by Pres
ident Mckinley IN the application that has
been made to save shim from the gallows
Friday of tkisfweek looks we'll and ap-
pears to be in excellent spirits, considering
the many months of his confinement and
the near approach of the day set for his
execution. His father went to Canton.
Ohio, Friday and saw President Mckinley.
He took with him papers from influential
people who have become interested in the
case. telegram from the father has been
received in which he informed the son that
he had seen the President and it Is likely
that he will remain in Canton until Mr..
Mckinley leaves there for this city after
the election.
The petition to the President is a lengthy
one and, as heretofore published in The
Star was referred to District Attorney An
derson, who will send 1t 10 Attorney General
Griggs late this afternoon or tomorrow
morning. The petition will be handed to
the President shortly after he reaches here
from Canton. 1t is likely he will not reach
here before Thursday, and that he will
have but little time in which to investigate
and act
1t is stated that two United States sena-
tors and several members of the House Of
Representatives have interested themselves
IN Funk's behalf. Yesterday the condemned
SeiSS
listening to the several bands Of religious
people who held meetings.
This morning his spiritual adviser, the
Kew. rather Mcguire. was among the ear
~ callers at the Jail. He remained with
Funk long time and then called on other
prisoners in the institution. The Rev. John
Roberts, colored, and Mrs Cowsill, Chris
tlan worker who has been visiting the pris-
on Tor more than fifteen years, also called.
Annoyed by Publications.
E,1nly co}l l, Loa t11,
by statements made in papers for which
there was no foundation. He saw Star
reporter this morning and during the con-
versation he denied that there was any
truth in the statement in a morning paper
that he had received telegram from his
father saying the President had greatly
encouraged him.
THE only news which would cause me
| to be elated," he said, would be a definite
statement that 1 would have the satisfac-
ton and privilege of showing my inno-
cence of the murder for which l stand I'M
justly condemned. l am an innocent man,
| so far as the murder Of William H. Brooks
is concerned.
Asked what he thought of the outcome.
| Funk replied:
1.-The outlook looks promising, and have
! by no means given up hope Then, again.
I cannot be convinced that the country
wants an innocent man executed, but If
such is to be the case I'll die like man.
pelleVe tnere is a just GOD, and II Sufrer
| on earth for what did not know anything
Of believe the wrong will be righted in
| the next word. 1 have not led an ex-
emplary life, I know, but | was never in
my life guilty of a. cruel action. l never
felt better thanh de- now, and while the
outlook is promising, 1 realize that 1 am
handicapped bys the election, when poll
tieians and statesmen are all so busy
CathOlka Faith Protested.
The condemned man said to the reporter
that he desired OF correct an impression
| that he had sent for the colored minister to
come to see him today.
| Il am Catholic,i' he said. land have
never sent for any minister other than the
priest. Yesterday sat where could see
and hear what was going on at other serv-
ices merely as an oniooker.''
Warden Harris, who is in Indiana will
probably not reach here until Wednesday,
and until he arrives preparations for the
execution will not be made. ga