The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-02-09

interrupted the condemned man as the
Sheriff was reading the document, but Mr
Ruempler read on to the end. Then the
hangman stepped quickly forward strap
ped Browns arms to his sides, put the
moose around his neck and the. awful
black cap which has shut out the last
glimpse of the world for many murderers,
on his heesi. Then Warden Terence
Sullivan whispered to Brown and asked
him if he would take a little whiskey as
mo, thanks" said Brown, quietly, sI
don't need any. l don't use it,
"A sign from the Sheriff and the march
moment the jurors in the death chamber
below saw Under Sheriff Heavey and
Constable Hague, who were standing at
the door of the corridor, suddenly raise
their hands and enjoin silence.
They are coming some one whispered,
and the subdued conversation ceased.
First was heard a shuffling of feet and
the low tones of the priest saying the
prayers for the dead. Sheriff Ruempler
entered and behind him came Brown, sup
ported by the Rev. Fathers McGinley and
Foye the hangman bringing up the rear,
his little grey eyes fastened on his prey
With head erect and fearless look,
Brown walked up to the scafTold noddlng
carelessly to a friend OF his ana not IN
was the nerviosts man ever worked of
by Dennis ,rn Hise. He took his
place under the dangling rope and while
the hangman was fastening 1t to the
moose he glanced inquiringly at Father
Mckinley who, in a clear voice, said =
Gentlemen, Mr.. Brown has asked me
to express his thanks to the. Sheriff Tor
his kindness to him, and also to Mr.
Pagan of Hoboken, who has also pesn
kind to him.. He wishes that ne. VIII pc
the last to suffer death from capital pun
ishrnent in the State of New Jersey. He
bids me say that these are his last
words. eao,n. proSvn
drew over his eyes the black cap, ana
ee e-4r hala
Brown have you anything to say why
the sentence of the law should not oe
executed on you?" u,
From under that black cap came the
reply which astonished those who heard
it, for there wasn't even tremor III
the voice. .,.
mo, sir; I've nothing to say. Father
Mo1inley has said all that wish.
A click, thud, and the next secona
Brown was jerked into the air. The body
rabounded and for thirteen minutes anu
a half he slowly strangleo: Inc o,JJen;ng Ja1;u,
SIGHT. and one of them, Thomas Muf- ~
taugh. fell to the floor in falnt. lne n
hands twitched, the legs moved and me
Then the body came to a rest, put Sill
the heart beat. Drs. McGill, Burdette ana
noted the action OF the neart
and pulse. and at lOzls deelsred& are & pne hnd, Zvho
witnessed the struggles and When II WAS
all over Van Hise's conduct or mlscon-
duct of the affair. was denounceo " ouso ~
rageous. He had neglected to give the
proper length of rope to ensure dislocaelon
: The awful scene over, the body was was
lowered to the floor. At one o'c CLOCK inns
afternoon. Undertaken F. w. E. Engel, in
structed by Browns widow, removed II 70
No 263 East Tenth street. New 1oih
city and the interment took place III
Calvary Cemetery, this afternoon,
The following statement made lew
hours before the execution was given py
Brown to the press 1870,
ssThe theory that hanging as capital
punishment has a deterrent effect upon
murderers was long ago exploded. rang
ing goes on and homicide continues. we
rail against the lynch law to whlcn ciuizenS ssll
Of certain sections of this country are dls-
posed to resort. This is really the quick
est way adding one crime 70 ano,ner;
There is no good lesson taught py iegal
executions. Down deep in the average
citizens heart he feels there Is no valid
excuse to slowly strangle person to
death. He knows 1t is a simple case OF
long premeditatio,n legal, ,s muruer dl4y II s,rA
press evidence to. use that which he knows
to be perjured evidence against an ac-
cused person, to use all means, metnoas
to take a persons life is undoupteaiy the
cool 0aWflD murderer The above IS true
in nv case. The Prosecutor knows tnat
/ am innocent of any intent or killing and
feel in the sight OF God that my con-
science is clear. Can James s. Erwin, at
the hour of his death say the same? HAS
he not by Withholding evidence that
would clear me OF the charge OF
murder, knowing the consequence TO
me allowed my death, Is ne not
a murderer? I hope that am the
last person hung in this god-forsaken
county. In the course of twenty years or
so perhaps the more enlightened citizens
will be politically power enough to- get
the law to do away with hanging, which
is no more or less than a brutal exhi-
bition and only a pleasure to the morbid:
A frightful example would be afforded II
the murderer was condemned to life i'm
prisonment. There is no need Tor capital
punishment no excuse for it. Legal muir
der has a debiasing influence on all, es-
pecially the children. | would rather
death tomorrow than life imprisonment.
AS only have a few hours to live de-
clare before God am not guilty OF any
intent of killing. When ! first heard OF
Mr. Gebhardt's death felt sorry and said
so to the Captain, although knew was
not to blame. felt sorry that 7 was
compelled to shoot him in e1f-defense.
ss(Signed) JAMES K. BROWN.
Prosecutor Erwin in reply to Browns
statement said that it was gotten up in
the interest of Clifford. He, Mr.. Erwin,
said that he had brought out all the
points in his favor and conducted the
trial as fairly as any prosecutor, who
respected his oath and his duty. could.
Browns crime was q deliberate deed
committed on an officer In discharge Of
his duty For the crime he was tried
October g. 1888, convicted and sentenced
on October IA to be hanged on December
@ IIJix5 40 "a a the E1lll~t