The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-01
DIED ON THE sCAFF0LD.
Wiley Kirk Hanged at TOyvsOH Jail
for AssnuIf

BALTIMORE, June Wiley Kirk col
ored. was hanged in the jailyard at Tow
son yesterday morning for assaultinE Mrs
Barbara Green. of Sparrows Point, on
March : The trap was sprung al 1o.225a
O'Clock and DIT. NasseubUrg. the jail ply
sician- pronounced life extinct 2g'2 min
Utes later The Jail physician said that
Kinks death was due to shock
The negro arose early yesterday morn
ing and enquired Of the deathwatch about
the weather. He was told it was raining
and asked if he would like to have his
breakfast He replied that he did not
care to eat anything About $50 O'Clock
the depty gave him the clothing in which
ne was to be hanged-dark coat and trous-
crs. white vest, black cravat. and a pair
Of russell slippers He hastily made his
toilet and began pacing his cell. He seem
ed TO be extremely nervous. Soon after
o'clock the Rev. Matthew O-Keefe, Rev
Peter Ramp, and Rev. O. Vauderburg ar
rived and were shown into Kinks cell
where they held religious services. during
which communion was administered to
Kirk While the religious ceremonies were
being conducted crowds began to gather
in and around the Jail
The deputy sheriff told Kirk that all was
ready for the execution The n gro rose
Immediately, his arms were tied and the
black gown was adjusted Father O-Keefe
holding aIoft the crucifix recited prayers
as he moved out of the cell He was fol
lowed by Father Kamp and Father Van
derburS. Next came the prisoner. follow
ed by two deputies Kirk walk unsupport-
ed and apparently without fear until he
reached the scafoId- Here the sight
seemed to terrorize him and perceptfbIe
SILVER passed over his frame 1t was
over in an instant, however, and he fol-
lowed the priest to the top of the scat
fold without hesitation. The moose was
adjusted, his feet rlanacIed. DepJtv
Burke enquired If he had anything to say
before putting on the black cap Kirk
made no answer. Father O-Keefe replied
for him:
He has nothing to say He pays the
penalty Of his crime 1t was noticeable
that Kirk face, which naturally was Of
light color, turned peTceptibIy lighter
The black cap was drawn tightly over his
face and the assistants left the scanoId.
The trigger which held the trap in place
was pressed. There was q sudden crash
and the negTo's body shot down through
the opening. After twenty and a half
minutes Dr. Massenburg ordered the body
lowered, and. assisted by Dr. c. B. Far
d
ka, DR.. p. G. Dill. and Dr. J. S Green.
made an examination The body was
placed in a neat, plain coffin which had
been provided by Father O'Keefe and was
inferred in the cemetery OF St Francis
Catholic Church
Kirk was a North Carolinian and came
to Baltimore county last December TO
work for the Maryland Steel Company
He net Mrs Green, who was returning
TO her home from a nearby store and over
powered her after q desperate struggle.
! The whole county was aroused over the
assault and the country was secured for
the negro, who was captured n the after
noon of March in box car the
Western Maryland Railroad a GwyTn
Brook Station PatroImsn kleeman. of
the Baltimore county force, made the ar
rest. Kirk confessed his crime soon after
being captured He was convicted at
/ Towson by Judges Fowler. Burke, and
/ Waters, who tried him without q jury.