The Washington times., 1902-05-19
In Address to Prisoners
Says God Has For
given His Sins.
SENTENCED TO HANG FRIDAY
condemned Murderer Makes Address to
feiiow Convicts-Tells of Causes That
Led to His P1edicament-Gives Words
OF Good Advice.

am soon going to meet my God in
neaFen- j asked his pardon for my sins.
ie heafu my prayer, and ! am happy in
his forgiveness was the answer of
Elijah Chapman. colored. who is condemn
Gu 10 die on tie scaffold On Friday next
nhen as-ed yesterday by the Rev John
'ooerts " he is ready to die 1t was dur
ing the religious services at the Jail ;h.t
ii hooerts put the question to the pris-
oner. The answer was prompt and made
"iehout tremor in the voice of the
'"sHker. Continuing, Chapman sail
speaking to the four or five hundred
prisoners assembled at the service:
lou all know why l am TO leave YOU
III is because of the bad company I ke,t
men and women. drinking whisky and
sainpiihs 1 prayed to God to forgive me
my SINS. and he heard me, and now am
ie'oy 10 go to him, for he has told me he
VIII receive me-" Then with last fare
well OF 'Good-by, boys" the prisoners
voice was hushed. perhaps never to be
heard again to those to whom he spoke.
Inc scene in the great rotunda of the
1aii was very impressive as Chapman was
piouing last farewell to his fellow pris-
oners and the religious workers who each
sabbath visit the Jail The eyes of nearly
every one present welled up in tears and
sobs were heard from ever art of the
building. Though Chapman &c in full.
strong voice, # was plainly rotceatl, that
ne was affected and fully realized the
seriousness of his position.
Wore Red and Black Sweater.
Chapman was dressed in a red and black
striped sweater. dark trousers. and wore
black shoes. He did not wear a coat.
During the religious service he sat on a
step near the entrance to the cells in
murderers' row. paying the closest atten-
ton. He also took part in the congreea-
tional singing, and when the Rev. MIR.
Roberts asked those who were ready 10
die to stand. Chapman was the first on his |
feet
sad feature OF the Imprisonment and |
impending death OF Chapman is the fact |
that his brother. Henry CHAPMAN. is also |
confined in the Jail under sentence of
eighteen months imprisonment for assault |
to kill
The program Of the divine service was
well arranged, and probably with a view
OF Keeping the doomed man in mind of
MS approaching end. The hymns which
were sung were In themselves a sort of
serial story, pointing out to the pris-
oner the hope of life eternal even after
his wandering and erring life. The first
was Where Is Ny Wandering Boy To-
night" which was sung with much feel
ing by Miss Margaret Hawkins. After
this she sung Jesus Is Calling" with a
voice full of sympathy, and then came
The Beautiful City," In the singing of
the choruscs of these songs Chapman
Joined, and seemed to be buoyed up with
the story of future happiness which they /;
told 4,
the door of murderers row and bid fare
we'll TO all those who took part in the
service. He extended his hand through
an opening In the iron grating and shook
hands ''good-by' with each as they ;
passed his cell. Most of the people he let ;
pass with mere shake of the hand. while
TO others he spoke words OF warning and
implored them to be good and lead better {
lives. 1
When the mission workers left the Jail e
Chapman took seat on the bench inside ,
of the wire grating around the front of
the entrance TO the south wing, for a talk
with reporter for The Times. He was
smoking a small wooden pipe. and while d
he spoke his countenance was always a
frightened with a smile.
Protests His Innocence v
He said: Il am going to be hanged Fri c
day. but God knows that am not guilty s
Of murder. ] did not get Justice at my
trial. was found guilty on the evidence "
1f lying women who had grudge against IL
ne. l don't blame Judge Anderson. be- t'
.ause he only knew what he heard the
Witnesses say. II he and the jury had
lnown the truth, though. / never would y
AVE been convicted of murder. The peo-
,le that lied on me are Minnie James =
inry Adams, and Anna Dozier Minnie
ames saw exactly what happened az,
nows how Ida Simms was killed. but she
would not tell all she knew. Then Mar
dams said she saw me kill Ida when she
i'd not, and Anna Dozier gave evidence
hat twisted the knife in the woman af-
err ] had stabbed her. All this was not
o. OF course cut Ida Simms, but il was
ccidental, for ] never had any intention n
( killing or even hurting her.
The crime for which Chapman will pay
he penalty with his life on Friday next
as committed ON the night OF January ]
lst at s57 Armory Place. At that place
ether On the date mentioned it was
,stified at Chapman's trial that he came
ONE drunk about o'clock In the after II
Don and began qnarreling with Ida Simms y
yer some trifing matter. The woman
is said went into another room. n
W minutes Chapman called her TO him, q
ID without word stabbed her to the n
sart with a penInife. He then left the n
,use. The woman died almost instantly n
N tho pn1fnn tn,, -
'ur afterward Chapman was arrested a
ar the corner Of Thirteenth and d u
reefs northwest. To the officer who ar
sted him he admitted that he killed the H
1man-said he was glad he had done so.
d was ready TO hang for It right there b
d then.
Indicted in February.
During the early part of February last X
lapman was indicted for murder by the IL
and iury, and few days later he was Ii
raignrd before Justice Anderson. Y
lie pleaded guilty 10 the Indictment.
t Justice Anderson refused to accept b
2 plea, and directed the clerk of the n
urt TO enter a plea Of not guilty upon =
E docket, - n
f4e Eas called to trial In Criminal Court h
/. on Monday. March 81. and verdict B
guilty Of murder in the first degree b
s returned against him on April 2 \
Chapman. OF the advice Of his counsel,
not testify In his own defense. plea q
insanity being made for him. In keep Y
with this line OF defense evidence Was
nrad IN chom zorna vlarq