The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-12
Telegraph Messenger Ran All the
Way, but Arrived at the st. Louis
Jail ThiFty-Five Minutes Late.
Mr.. DoCKERY TOOK HIS TIME
SHERIFF WAS LED TO BELIEVE
THERE WOULD BE NO STAY,
And Promptly Carried Ont the
Courts Mandate-A Negro Boys
Speech on the GaIIows.

ST. LOUIS, April n.-Henry F'lutcher,
colored, was hanged at sunrise to-day for
the murder of Lewis Roth, sixteen years
old, Aug q, 1900 At 6:45 a. M, just thirty
five minutes after the fatal drop fell, the
following telegram was received by Sher-
iff Deckman from Governor Dockery, at
Jefferson City, granting a respite of ff-
teen days: II have granted a respite of
fifteen days in case of Henry Flutcher, to
be hanged to-day. Stay execution"
The following reply was sent: Henry
Flutcher executed at 6:1O a. m. Telegram
OF stay at 6:45"
At IL o'clock last night Circuit Attorney
Folk telegraphed Governor Dockery, rec
ommending a ten days reprieve in order to
investigate more fully some testimony TO
the effect that Flutcher acted in self-de-
fense when he killed Roth. a reply to this
message reached the Four Courts at a.
m. Friday. Mr.. Folk not being there, Sher-
iff Dickman received the dispatch. 1t was
from the telegraph Office at Jefferson City,
and stated that the Folk message had
been delivered to the Governors mansion
1t read:
Jefferson City, 1886 a. m.
Joseph W. Folk, st. Louis: Yours to
A NJ. DOckery, signed Folk, received.
Messenger reports Governor would not
come to door, stuck his head out of sec
ond-story window. asked what's wanted?'
Messenger told him nature of message.
He told him TO put ii under door; made no
reply"
Sheriff Dickman concluded that this
meant no interference and went on with
his preparations for the execution. Flutch-
er was told of the circumstances. but
evinced no surprise at the outcome. He
lost all hope at midnight. AT $50 Sheriff
Dickman told the condemned boy to pre-
pare for the march TO the gallows. With
Flutcher was Rev. Mr.. Roberts, pa astOr of
ST. Pauls NJ. +. Chapel. The next five
minutes spent in prayer, Flutcher
praying aloud in a firm voice. When he
had finished he turned to deputy and
placed his arms behind him. Wen go
nOw,' he said. The rope was tied over
his elbows. About 300 persons were pres
ent al the hanging.
steady step. and when asked by the sheriff
if he wished to say anything, began a
speech that occupied three minutes He
declared that he fired the fatal shot, but
disavowed any intention of murder. His
object he said, was merely TO disarm his
assailant Flutcher concluded as follows:
Without the desire 10 reflect on the men
who sent me TO this fate, the worst that
can befall a mortal man, / want TO say
that not only have | been prosecuted. but
relentlessly prosecuted as well. This
shameful end TO my life. a boys life. marks
the final triumph of money over justice.
The time is past when anything can be
done. Death Is very near 10 me, but be-
fore il lays its hand let me say a parting
word. Shun evil companions, advice that
is just as good for the old as the young.
mad / done so there would have been no
fight. shooting, no hangman's moose. -
With a wide sweep OF his hand he bade
the crowd goodbye and turned TO the sher-
if.
Rev. Mr.. Roberts stepped forward and
asked for a final prayer. This was made
kneeling. Twenty seconds later Sheriff
Dickman sprung the trap. Flutcher's neck
was broken in the drop. After a formal in
quest the body was turned over TO the
family.
II did my duty" said Sheriff Dickman,
after the hanging, and I'm glad it's over
The death warrant called on me TO exc
cute Flutcher between the hours of in the
morning and in the afternoon. 1t was
nearly fifteen minutes after 8 i'm the morn
ing when the drop fell The answer TO Mr..
Folks telegram 10 the Governor came 10
the Four Courts at 2:30 in the morning. in
the form of a dispatch from the Western
Union office at Jefferson City. Mr. Folk
had gone home. and / opened the telegram,
thinking IL might contain a reprieve. In