The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-12
CONDEMNED MAN WENT TO HIS DEATH WITHOUT SHOW OF FEAR


the day of execution.
In accordance with the custom which
has prevailed in this Office. and without ap-
pl,catiun having been made therefor by any
one, l granted the usual respite of thirty
days TO Flutcher and extended the time for
execution until April IL
''On April g. Flutcher's attorney and one
or two others appeared, asking a further
respite and communication of the sentence
I again examined the papers on file in the
Supreme Court. and declined to grant the
respite.
On yesterday, after an appeal was again
made through the medium of G. Y. Cren-
shaw of ST. Louis. asking a stay OF execu-
ton. / again declined to grant any further
extension of time.
Folks Message Delivered.
About 9 o'clock last night a telegram
was received from the Deputy Coroner OF
ST Louis and one or two Others asking a.
further respite. Later in the night, about l
O'Clock, l was awakened by the doorbell
and some one, l don't know who, said he
had Il message to deliver in reference TO
the case Of Henry Flutcher. | asked the
messenger TO shove 1t under the door, and
when / went down TO the front door found
it was message from Circuit Attorney
Folk.
Il had SO fully and 50 thoroughly re-
viewed this whole case that 1 determined,
after reading the message, to adhere to my
decision not to further interfere with the
judgment OF the court However. in the
early morning. ! concluded that possibly 1t
would work no harm TO grant the respite.
although 1 was satisfied that the murder
was a cold-blooded. brutal one. therefore
endeavored both by telegraph and telephone
10 reach the Sheriff in order to grant the
respite of two weeks. asked for by the
Circuit Attorney.
The facts are familiar and are known to
all by this time. The respite of two weeks
failed TO reach the Sheriff by few mo-
ments. and Flutchsr WIS executed.
Would Not Have Commutcd Sentence.
There is no doubt whatever as to the
fact that this person was guilty OF murder
in the first degree. and under no circum-
stances would l have commuted the SEN
tence. He was fairly tried by the Circuit
Court and the entire cause reviewed by the i
Supreme Court. and the disposition to grant
the respite of two weeks was more a matter
of compliment to that distinguished attor-
ney, Mr.. Folk. than for any other reason.
There is not the shadow OF doubt in the
minds Of any OF the Supreme Court or my
self that this murder was wanton, cruel
and inexcusable. In such cases. while l
may be disposed to grant favor now and
then to some friend who presses for a
respite. so long 1 am Governor all such
the law"
Condemned Man Is baptized.
In the early portion Of the night F1utcher,
by a group OF friends, including
.bree negroes who are also under death SEN
tence. sat out in front of his cell singing
hymns and praying. Later the prisoners |
we're returned to their cells and Flutcher |
alked with Doctor Roberts. About mid |
l.ght he was baptized and took the sacra- |
ired in his cell and went to sleep. He slept |
or about two hours.
Sheriff Dickmann entered the negro's cell |
II o'clock to read him the death warrant.
was the first intimation he had that the
Governor would not grant the respite. but he
Id not seem greatly disappointed. for he
ad not built up any great hopes. This
one they waited about the cell until 6
clock. when. no word being received from
he Governor. the last march began.
herif Dickmann led the way out the west
oor from the Jail, followed by Flutcher,
Tho was braced on either side by a Deputy
heriff.
Negro Retained His Composure.
Flutcher did not finch. He was the
rsvest man who has faced death on the
ew scaffold. He walked up the tteps bold
and took his place while Deputy Sheriff
heehan tied his arms.
SneIIiI DiCkrudIln asked the condemned
ian If he had anything to say before he
-ent to his death. F1utcher stepped for
ard and bracing his hands against the
ailing spoke for about four minutes. He
alked clearly and as If he had studied
hat he was going to say. Once he repeated
sentence.
FIutcher's Last Words.
In part the condemned negro said
Young men. old men and boys. I am
bout to leave you. Without the desire to
effect on the men who sent me to this
ate, the worst that can befall a mortal
ian, / want to say that not only have
cen prosecuted. but relentlessly persecuted
s well.
This shameful end to my life marks the
nal triumph of money over justice. The
me is past when anything can be done.
'eath is near. but before 1t lays its hand
n me let me say a parting word. Shun
VII companions. advice that is Just as good
Dr. the old as the young. Had I done so
mere would have been no fight no shooting
nd no hangman's moose"
As he concluded he made a sweep of the
ght hand and took his position. Doctor
.oberts stepped f-rward and they knelt in
final prayer.
The black cap was pulled down over the
cad. AS his face was hidden from view
'lutcher exclaimed to Brownlow Sexton,
egro Deputy Sheriff on the stand whom
e had known from boyhood:
"Good-by. BrownlOw. hope I'll meet you
/ heaven"
The moose was adjusted the lever was
prung by Sheriff Dickmann and F1utcher
hot downward to the end OF the rope At
rst it rested still, then there were a few
onvulsions shown by the drawing up Of the
egs.
Twelve minutes later all signs of life had
ed. Doctor McGee pronounced life ex-
inct and the body was cut down and car
led into the morgue.
Messengers Race Against Death.
The crowd dispersed and Sheriff Dick
,ann went home. At 6:45 o'clock a boy
rom the Western Union Telegraph office at
10. 4l2 Pine street rushed, breathlessly into
he Four Courts with telegram for Sheriff
)ickmann. 1t was the belated respite
)ickmann was not there and Chief Deputy
3ilhartZ received 1t.
Its awfully important gasped the
oy, please hurry. I've run all the way
rom the Office
The telegram read:
Governors Respite and Sherin's Reply
Jefferson City, Mo-, April u-Joseph F.
,ickmann, Sheriff, St Louis, Mo-: 1 have
ranted respite Of fifteen days in case of
ienry F1utcher. to be hung to-day. Stay
xecution- Answer
"a. NJ. DOCKERY, Governor"
Sheriff Diekman filed the following an
wer few minutes later:
"A. NJ. Dockery, Governor, Jefferson City,
TO-: Henry F4utcher executed $40. Tele-
ram OF respite received 6:45
JOSEPH F. DICKMANN. sherfr'
Sheriff Dickman's Statement.
IF 1t were to be done over 1 should do
xactly as I did," said Sheriff Dickmann
Yhen a reporter talked IN him .T bod ,a+