The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-25
ID The PEN FOR LIFE
Law Has Swift Course With
Peck the Rapist.
PLEADS GUILTY AT ONCE
Instantly Sentenced and Taken
to Columbus.
PLEADS GUILTY AT ONCE

Cleveland, O., Aug. 24.-This Afternoon
Peck, the Akron negro, with Prison Keep
er Washer, Dr. a K Fouser and Sheriff
Mcconnell Of this city hurried out Of the
jail and were driven rapidly to the Unior
railway station, when the prisoner and
the Akron men boarded train fol-
Akron Prosecutor Wanamaker convened
the graund jury at Akron this afternoon
and an Indictment was at once returned
against Peck
Akron. O., Aug. 24.-Just after leaving
Cuyahoga Falls, while the train was er
routef from Cleveland to Akron, PECK
| begged Prison Keeper Washer to shoot
him instantly in the event a mob was
waiting at Akron. The plans made con-
templated leaving the train at the union
| station at Akron. Peck's fright increased
as the train neared Akron. He begged
piteously to be shot if mob threatened.
Washer did not consent
The train carrying Peck arrived here
at $3.50 p. m. A carriage was waiting al
bundled into it. In three minutes the
court house was reached and Peck was
arraigned before Judge Nye. The indict-
ment was read. Peck stood up and plead
guilty. He declared he had nothing to
say, except that he threw himself upon
the mercy of the court. The court then
sentenced Peck to life Imprisonment in
the state penitentiary. Troops were on
guard at the railway station and along
the route to the court house. There was
no demonstration whatever. After Peck
had ben sentenced he was at once taken
in closed carriage to the Center street
crossing Of the Cleveland, Akron and Co
lumbus railway and placed on board the
train In charge Of Sheriff Kelly and TAX
en- on to the state penitentiary at Column
bus. So quickly and quietly was Peck
brought into the city, sentenced and sent
on to Columbus that but few people
knew what had transpred. There was
no crowd at the railway station either
when the train arrived or departed. Few
who glanced at the rapidly driven car
rage suspected that it CONFERENCE.-The man
the furious mob Of Wednesday night
wanted to lynch.
Peck was taken in at the rear door Of
the court house. There was a stir among
the soldiers. crowding the rear of the
court room. Judge D. j. Nye of Elyria,
presided. He arrived at Akron at noon
today. Two minutes aftetr Peck reached
the court Deputy Sheriff Ed Hersey
read the Indictment. Peck stood up with
manacled hands. He pleaded guilty in a
firm voice. His worn eyes shifted ner-
vously about the room. Then he sat
down and Prosecutor Wanamaker wFisp-
cred with him briefly. Then Judge Nye
said:
Mr.. Peck, you have heard the indict-
ment read, charging you with rape. You
have plead guilty. Have you anything
to say"
= II have nothing to say except that I
throw myself on the mercy of the court"
replied Mr.. Peck.
Continuing Judge Nye said: 'Tn crimes
such as that to which you have pleaded
guilty, there is but one penalty provided
That is Imprisonment for life. It is the
judgment of the court that you be con-
fined in the penitetntiary for life. You
must pay the costs of this proceeding"
Temporary police headquarters have
been opened at the central fire station
City prisoners are locked up IN the
county Jail by special arrangements.
Today the safe of the engineers de-
partment was opened amid the city halls
ruins. Its contents, including many val
liable papers and records and 500 in cash,
were found in good condition. All the
plats and prof1les of the city streets and
were destroyed, however.
Workmen are also engaged in opening the
vaults of the city clerk. mayor and police
From appearances their ocn
tents are all right. Following is a re-
vised list Of the victims of Wednesday
nights riots: )
Killed:
Glenn Wade. aged II years.
Fatally injured:
Rhoda Dawson, aged 4.
Wounded:
Fred vorwick, W H Russell. Park
Strair, John E. Washer Arthur E.
Sprague, Jhon Ahren, Albert Grant
Frank Sours, Fireman L. Manchester.
Fireman w. Boepeke, Fireman Minor
Fritz, Fireman David Phillips, Fireman
John DeniUs, Fireman A Eberiy, Po-
liceman Alva G. Greenlesse, Policeman
John King, Detective Edward Dunn. Al /
bert Stevens.
Little Rhoda Davidson died at the city
hospital al 2 o'clock this Afternoon.
She was shot IN the head while in her
mothers arms during the riots Wednes-
day night. Fred VorweTk, though very
badly injured Is slightly improved today
and has some chance for recovery.
Columbus, O.. Aug A.-Peck arrived a.
the penitentiary in the custody of the
Sheriff OF Summit county at $50 tonight
He FELT greatly relieved when tha heary
ron gate closed behind him and be real
zed that he was safe from mob violence