Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28
Near Approach of the Time Set for
Execution.
His WIFE and DAUGHTER VISIT him
Closing Interview Held at the Jail
This Afternoon.
DEMEANOR OF PRISONER

benjamin H. oieli, tie ptISlOH OluCc
clerk who so brutally murdered little Lizzie
Weisenberger the morning Of August 6
last. will pay the death penalty on the
scaffold in the District Jail tomorrow. All
the necessary arrangements for the exc
cution have been made, and the miserable
man has seen his wife and daughter for
the last time. Although Smell has per-
sistently refused to hold connected con-
versations with the Jail officials, he spent
more than an hour in earnest conversation
with his wife and daughter this afternoon.
At times it seemed that all the blood in
his body had gone to his face, and several
times during the conversation he appeared
as If he would collapse.
Mrs Smell saw Warden Harris in the
latter's office before she went into the big
rotunda, and took a seat in front of the
cage Her daughter sat beside her while
the condemned man, with a handkerchief
tied about his head, occupied seat on the
other side of the wire grating. Seated
where they We're the wife and daughter
were unable to even grasp the hand of
the one who is so soon to leave this world.
Mrs. Smell bore up well under the strain.
but the daughter cried bitterly.
While Smell and his wife and daughter
were engaged in their last talk earth
the executioner was on an upper floor pre-
pairing the fatal moose of a rope much
larger than what is ordinarily used. 1t is
seven-eighths of an inch in thickness, and
is fifty feet long. During the earlier hours
of the day the scaffold was put in readi-
ness. and new black suit of clothes for
the condemned man to wear tomorrow was
received GTm a local clothing store.
PAGES the Floor.
Smell spends most Of his time pacing the
floor of his cell, smoking his pipe. and he
has nothing to say to his fellow prisoners.
The Rev. John Roberts called on him again
this morning, but stepped aside when the
wife and daughter called. When the col
ored minister saw Smell two days ago he
found him more communicative than usual.
The minister spoke to him of his aged
parents down in Georgia and of his other
family connections Smell talked to him
about them, but did not seem deeply in
terested in religious matters.
II can't ask forgiveness for what have
not DONE" he told the minister. ''They
say did 1t. but 1 don't believe them
1t has not yet been determined If any
minister Is to accompany the condemned
man to the scaffold. Warden Harris has
been unable to get any expression from
Smell in the matter. He will him again
at the last moment and will endeavor to
persuade him to have a minister. Smell
says he believes In repentance after death.
Arrangements for Burial.
Arrangements have been made by Mrs.
Smell to bury her husbands remains. She
has employed an undertaken who will re-
move the body from the prison soon after
the execution is over, and Mrs. Smell says
she will not permit surgeons to touch 1t.
although the Jail officials are anxious to
have his brain examined.
DR.. Richardson of St. Elizabeth's Asylum
examined Smell Tuesday night, it is said, at
the request of the latter's counsel. He
failed to find any evidence of insanity.
Reiteratex His Complaint.
In brief conversation with Rev. Roberts
today touching his impending fate. Smell
said those who deny his insanity should
themselves be sent to an asylum for the
insane. He reiterated his complaint of the
influence of electricity on his brain, and
Mr.. Roberts asked him why he had not had
q physician to treat him for the trouble
Il told a physician about it, was Smells
response, land he laughed at me-
The officials at the Jail are taking every
precaution to avoid mishap or trouble.
to, Warden Harris has arranged to have
the entire force of Jail guards on duty to-
morrow, as to be prepared in case Smell
refuses to go quietly to the scaffold.
Counsel Abandon Hope.
1t was the intention of counsel for Smell
to appear In Criminal Court No. 1 this aft
ernoon, If the United States attorney would
agree not to oppose a motion for postpone
ment of execution, and appeal to Justice
Clabaugh to stay the hanging until fall.
United States Attorney Anderson was
away from his office today. Attorney Tur-
ner called there. however, and was given
to understand that the government would
oppose such motion.
Up to 3 o'clock this afternoon Justice
Clabaugh had not been approached by
counsel. and 1t was understood then that
the latter had abandoned all hope of pre-
venting the execution of Smell tomorrow.