The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-29
MILLER PAYS THE PENALTY Murderer Of Adams Hang cd Yesterday. HE n|. DEATH DeAvslr
 :; Innocence. His Neck Was Broken and He Died
 Without a Struggle-Alonzo Williams, Negro, Was Also Executed
g st He Protested His } Innocence.

Birmingham, June 2s.-(special.)-
 The Jefferson County jan yard was
 the scene of two hangings this morn- 1 ing between the hours of 10 and F o'clock. The victims were Frank Mil-
 Ter, a notorious safe robber and mur- derer of Policeman J. W. Adams, who
 was hanged at do:55 o'clock, and Alonzo
 Williams, a negro convict who mur-
 dered fellow convict, Bob Callahan,
 at Pratt Mines penitentiary, who was hanged at 11:53 a. m.
 Intense interest centered in the hang | ing of Miller, because of the very gen.
 eral belief that he was one of the most notorious criminals in America, having been at the head of a safe robbing gang whose operations covered many l States North and South. Miller died game, protesting his innocence to the last. He spent a restless night and
 complained several times of being sick
 at the stomach. Early in the night he became angry because Tomlin, one of of the guards placed over him. misun-
 derstood the warden's order and sta
 tioned himself inside of the cell. Mill | fer did not like this and a dispute arose, | the result being that the prisoner 1 dashed a cup of water in Tomlin's face and then struck him a glancing blow
 with his fists. Deputy Thompson,
 who was outside of the cell quickly entered and quieted Miller. Later the condemned man apologized to Deputy
 Tomlin for his conduct. Early this morning when newspaper men called at the jail for a last inter vlaw, Miller stated that he did not feel
 like talking and asked to be excused.
 He ate nothing for breakfast except a raw tomato.
 The condemned man marched to the gallows promptly at 10:30 o'clock, being escorted by Sheriff Burgln and several deputies and immediately followed by two Catholic priests Fathers o'Reilly | and Muerrer. About 300 persons had
 been admitted to the jail yard to wit ness the execution. The prisoner walk ed with a firm tread and looked coolly upon the curious faces about him. He mounted the steps easily and turned upon the gallows and faced the crowd before him. His march to the death trap was in front of a double roy of police men practically the entire police force not on active duty being pres ent
 As he stood upon the gallows Miller looked at 1t curiously, examining the rope and beam above to which it was attached. Then he gazed up to the
 Court House windows which were packed with eager faces, and then his | eyes wandered again to the people be- meath him.
 Father Muerrer read from a prayer book which he carried in his hands and, when the reading was concluded there was a pause. Miller then raised | his voice and asked:
 "Is there any one who would like to | ask me any questions?'
 Some one cried out from the crowd:
 Who saved Claytons life?"
 'I did" Miller replied. Clayton is the Standard Oil Com- pany's watchman who was assaulted the night that company's safe was rob-
 bed two hours before the murder of Policemen Kirkley and Adams. Solicitor H.8P. Hefiin walked up the | steps of the gallows until he stood within few feet of Miller and asked the prisoner again about the killing of Adams and Kirkley.
 My statement about 1t was true " said Miller.
 MT. Hefin asked If Duncan, Miller's l alleged pal, who is under a life sen l tence, was there.
 He was not" said Miller New York Harry was the man with me. Duncan was not"
 Attorney John T. Shugart asked the
 condemned man this same question, and Miller replied, with firmness, Duncan was not there"
 As Solicitor Hefiin started to leave the steps, Miller said again, You are hanging an innocent man" Miller was asked if he knew who shot Waterman Clayton, and replied that he did not know. Solicitor Hef1in then walked back to the ground and Miller exclaimed, This is awful"
 Prayer was offered by Father Muer- Ter and Miller stood with bowed head until this was concluded, then he call ed Solicitor Hefiin @ second time, say ing: You see my condition. that I am cool and know what I am talking about. I want you to see this, so that you will know that 1 know what I am saying when I say that Duncan was not there. Duncan is innocent, and you should have mercy on him and not hang him."
 The condemned man then asked for a drink of water, which was brought to him in a cup. His hands were fasten- ed behind him and Father OReilly held the cup to his lips while he drank. Fa- ther O'Reilly then read from a Scrip | ture book. and Miller listened cooly un- til the conclusion, when he asked for Sheriff Burgin.
 When the sheriff mounted the gal | lows. Miller shook hands with him and told him goodbye. At this point a brother of Officer Adams walked up the steps and shook hands with Miller
 Miller said tc him: T hope now, that you do not think killed your brother" The condemned man asked fer more