Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-25

Charles Perry and Henry Ivory, convicted
of the murder of Prof. Roy Wilson White
of the University of Pennsylvania Law
School, will be hanged In Philadelphia We'd
nesiuy, June 9th.
When the news came that Gov. Stone had
named day so near at hand for the eKecu-
tion, IL became noised about Tuesday that
the case against Amos Stirling. the third
colored man, who, the other two say, actu-
ally struck the death blow. had fallen
through. This report grew out OF the SEEM
ing need of the testimony of Ivory ana
Perry TO insure Strings conviction. The
latter. unlike Perry and Ivory, has always
maintained his innocence. While the two
men Just sentenced to death both assert TINT
Stirling was with them on the night White
was killed, and that he did the killing,
Stirling as stoutiy declares that be never saw
Ivory OF Perry in his life until he met them
at the City Hall.
District Attorney Rothermel admitted
Tuesday that he was surprised when in
formed that the governor Lad named the
day for execution but he declared most EN-
phatically that the Gaze against Stirling
would not be abandoned. ''On the CON
trary," he said, the case has been set down
for trial for Monday next, and ] certainly
expect to proceed with the prosecution. The
sum aud substance of the matter Is this;
Perry and Ivory were tried first because
their own statements left no doubt but that
they were Accessories to the crime. There
was more doubt as to the case Of Stirling.
81 had intended to call the latter to trial
Immediately after the other two convic-
tions, but Judge Arnold, before whom the
first two bad been tried was taken III. luther
delays followed. When II short time ngo
Strings case was set down for trial, the
prison physician informed me that the man
was dangerously III, ana again the case had
now better, and will be able 10 stand the
ordeal" MIR. Rotherme, while declining to
discuss his case, admitted that there was
every likelihood of Perry and Ivory beiEg
placed on the stand. While the presence of
two men under the very shadow OF the gal
lows In the witness chair will be unusual,
MIR. RotheImel said that the fact that they
were under sentence OF death would not
prevent any legal barrier to their testimony.
Sheriff Hartman said Tuesday that he
would read the death warrant to the two men
as soon as 1t Is received. The denth watch
will Immediately be placed over their cells,
and when they ara taken into court they will
be heavily guarded to prevent not only any
attempt to escape, but TO check possible
suicidal designs.
opinion that If the sheriff carried out his
programme and read the death warrant, the
defence might raise an interesting issue.
The death sentence distinctly Gays that the
convicted man Is to return to the county
prison, there to remain until hanged by the
removal to court would be In violation of
the sentence the situation might become
complicated.
In reference to the case against Sterling,
II was learned that since their conviction
the authorities had been making efforts to
get Ivory and Perry to make full confess
sions. The hope was entertained that since
the convicted men saw that there was no
hope for them they would make clean
breast of the whole affair. This it was
thought would either clear Stirling or make
the case against him sure beyond doubt.
District Attorney Rothermel, 1t is stated, Inns
ielt the responsibility OF prosecutor keenly,
and has himself recently visited the prison
and urged the convicted men to tell the
truth.
Perry, It is understood. sticks to his
previously admitted his share in the crime,
now protests his utter innocence and says
he knows nothing about the murder. Cap
tain of Detectives Miller was considerably
surprised at the news that date had been
fixed for the double execution. at won't
affect tho Sterling case SO far as ! am
aware" he said. II nave been notified to
have my witnesses ready for Monday. and
thall obey orders. For any other informH-
ton you will have to see District Attorney
Rothermel."
q. Won Phul Jones, who is Sterling,
counsel, is member OF the Legislatures
and was in Harrisburg Tuesday. 1t is
stated that he has secured witness by
whose testimony he hopes to prove an abb
for his client.
Roy Wilson White was struck down by an
iron bolt on Saturday night, May 18th, 1900,
while he was walking alunR Thirty-secono
street, Philadelphia, to Powelton Avenue
Station. Ivory. one of the men convicted
OF the murder, formerly resided in this CITY,