The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-10

prisoner. The warden discovered in this
however, nothing further than a genera
reference to life of misdeeds committe,
by Funk, and was impressed with thu
thought that no confession of the crime o
which the prisoner stood convicted wa:
intended. The warden exchanged few
words of farewell with Funk.
The uldertaker's wagon drove UP to the
Jail at IL O'Clock and the coffin in which
the body Of the fated man was to be
placed was carried into the courtyard
1t was deposited where it could not be
seen by the condemned man when ap.
preaching tie scaffold.
The priests remained closeted with Funh
until shortly before noon. when their de-
votions were interrupted by the entrance
of Warden Harris. The warden read to
Funk the death warrant, appointing the
date first set for his execution and the
reprieve of the President in which the
| later date was designated. Funk listened
gravely and advised the warden that while
he had thought of making some remarks
| on the scaffold he had abandoned this
purpose and had decided to make no state
ment. He had no further requests to
make. Funk still bore himself with equa-
nimity.
The prisoner was again left to the
| charge Of the priests. Slowly the hands
of the clock approached the appointed
time. In Funk's cell the priests con-
tinued to read to him the prayers for the
dying. The doomed man measured the
remaining seconds of his life as they
passed. and wrestled with the overwheim-
ing thoughts Of impending eternity into
which the stern justice of the law was
about to thrust him before the natural
limit of his allotted time.
In the ante-room of the jail those who
had been admitted to witness the execu-
tion had gathered and were waiting with
morbid interest the commencement CT the
final proceedings. Minute followed min
ute into the past. In the cell the exhor-
tations of the men of God continued to
fall frcm their lips in even monotony.
The eyes of the condemned man were
fixed unseeing upon the crucifx, Will hi;
thoughts were with himself and his ere
ator.
The minute hand of the clock finally
caught up with the hour hand at the mark
of noon. and the hour was chimed out
with twelve strokes. potent and portent
for the doomed man.
The door of the prisoners cell was opened
and guard entered and tied the cords
about his arms. At the same moment
execution were admitted to the rotunda.
At seven minutes past the hour Funk is
sued from his cell, accompanied by the
priests. A moment later they had reached
the south entrance to the rotunda. AS
Funk passed through the door his lips
were moving in unison to the prayers of
the priests. At this moment he looked
about him, and, recognizing several faces
among those present, smiled and bowed
1trHtR 4 -,.I T.v,-
words of greeting.
Warden Harris took his place at the head
of the march, and behind him was the Dep
uty Warden, Benton Russ, with a guard.
The prisoner, guarded only by the two
priests. one on either side OF him. and each
with an arm upon his shoulders. followed
AS the procession moved through the ro-
tunda toward the northeast door TO the en-
trance to the courtyard Funk's eyes were
occupied in passing from face to face of
those who were present TO witness the final
scene. Among these were the guards. ply
sicians of the Jail, and number of news
paper men. Many of these he knew and
greeted with smile. despite the efforts of
the clergymen 10 ,ransfix his attention upon
their prisons. His last words were ad
dressed to a newspaper man who had taken
part in his trial. How do you do?'' Funk
said to him as he passed on.
AS the entrance to the courtyard was
Funk had his first view of the
scaffoId. He glanced once without any al
teration taking place in his features, then
lowered his eyes and continued the ad-
vance. At eight minutes past IL he placed
his foot upon the first step leading to the
platform beneath the gibbet. He walked
lightly up the steps, ard, facing the audi
encc, took his position over the trap. The
monotones Of the priests voices continued.
Funk's lips moved in unison as he repeated
the prayers.
The new rope, never before used and
carefully prepared by oiling and stretching
for the occasion, was lowered The moose
was rapidly adjusted about his neck, Funk
making the operation as easy as possible.
The black cap was fastened about his
head. Funk's nerve never for moment,
even during this most trying part OF the
ordeal seemed to desert him.
At nine minutes past the hour, with a
wave of handkerchief from the warden.
the trap was sprung by the executioner
in the cell adjacent TO the scat
fold. The body, like some inanimate OBJ
ject fell downward, the drop of five and
half feet. AS the rope became taut the
body swayed for an instant with the mo-
mentum, and in a moment had become still.
Not convulsive movement followed the
first vibration of the dangling body. Death
ensued instantaneously. The prayers OF
the priests, continuing for several minutes
after the drop Of the body, was the only
sound that broke the general hush that
fell upon the spectators.
Funk gave statement to reporter for
The Times yesterday morning. He denies
having committed the murder and argues
that his trial was unfair for the following
reasons: That men were accepted as jurors |
who were convinced of his guilt before the
trial began; that one Of them passed the
statutory age limit during the trial: that
which might have established
the guilt of some one else was rejected by |
the court; that a thumb-mark in blood on
the handle of the Ratchet used in killing |
Mr.. Brooks might have revealed the iden-
tity Of the murderer, but the court would !
not examine 1t. His attorneys had con-
Quoted his case. he said. with rare skill. |
The execution was in his mind a judicial |
murder In which Warden Harris was the |
notwithstanding the warrant for |
the hanging sent from the court. |
Il TrnceWeII Rafu