The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-18
SAVED FROM DEATH
ON BRINK OF ETERNITY HENRY
BROOKS WAS REsPITED.
HE WAS READY TO DIE.
TELEGRAM FROM GOVERNOR
STOPPED HIS EXECUTION.

Every Preparation to Meet His
Maker and Was Greatly Surprised
When Told That He Had "A New
Lease on Lifc-Was Hysterical
when the Truth Dawned Upon
Him-Knot Had Been Tied ami
Rope Was in PIace-COunseI for
Negro Inspired by Persistent De-
nial Made to Representative of
Morning News and Hurried TeIe-
grams TO the Chief Executive.
Henry Brooks, condemned to die
yesterday morning for the murder of
Patrolman Harry B. Fender last Feb
ruary, was granted a new lease on life
after he had abandoned all hope, and
in less than an hour before the time
fixed for the execution. A telegram
to Sheriff Schwarz from Gov. Gambler,
announced that respite of thirty
days had been granted the condemned
man, and a service of mourning was
turned into one of joy.
Impressed by the persistent denials
of Brooks, and with what
he believed to be his last
statement, made to a repre-
sentative of the Morning News late
Thursday night, the condemned mans
counsel decided to make another effort
to save him. Judge Twiggs and Mr.
oliver had seen Brooks Thursday aft
ernoon and Judge Twiggs told his
client that every effort had been made
to save his life, but without success.
The negro said he was ready to die
and no more expected the respite than
did his attorneys at that time.
Yesterday morning when Mr.. oliver
read Brooks statement, protesting his
innocence in the face of death, he be-
came impressed with the belief that
Gov. Gambler should know it. He hur-
ried to Judge Twiggs' rooms and read
to him the story that the condemned
man had told. Mr.. Oliver telephoned
to the Jail and learned that Brooks
continued to protest his innocence. He
at once notified the jailor that the Gov
ernor would be appealed to and that
he would be asked to wire his decision
to the sheriff.
The attorney then hurried to the
Western Union office and secured a
wire to Atlanta. The Governor was ac-
quainted with the fact that Brooks was
about to hang, declaring that he did
not commit the crime for which he
was convicted, and was appealed to
for respite of thirty days. They at
torneys personally expressed the
belief that their client was in
nocent. At Oil o'clock Sheriff
Schwarz received the telegram
that meant so much to Brooks who
was even then preparing to put on his
funeral clothes and hear the death
warrant read.
When the news was conveyed to
Brooks he hardly seemed to realize
what had happened and his manner
was apparently one of complete indif-
ference. For only a few minutes did
he appear unconcerned and then he
broke down and wept for long while
He was inclined to be hysterical when
1t gradually dawned upon him that he
was not to die, and frequently quoted
passages from the Bible that he had
memoriaed during his Imprisonment.
Rev. Prince Black, who had been one
of Brooks chief spiritual advisers.
danced in the corridor with joy and
was more affected than the condemned
man himself.
Everything was in readiness for the
execution and the physicians and
county officials were in the Jail office.
The officer who acts in the capacity of
hangman was also on hand. The fatal
Knot had been tried, the rope had been
put in place and everything was ready
for the hanging. Brooks and a deIega-
ton of ministers began praying and
singing shortly eafter the condemned
man had eaten breakfast The services
were temporarily stopped by the re-
celpt of the telegram, but were con-
tinued after the news had been made
known in the jail Immediately the un-
dertaker was notified that he need not
send coffin for Brooks and the pris-
oner was not further unnerved by see
ing the box in which he expected TO
be laid away.
During the day Brooks told a repre-
sentative of the Morning News that
he did not shoot the patrolman. He
declared that he had been convicted
on the perjured testimony of the wit
ness Patterson, who swore that he saw
the shooting and who afterwards dis
appeared. Brooks announced that he
had forgiven the man for what he had
done, and that he hopes some day to
meet him in heaven. There are only
two places" said the prisoner.
heaven and hell, and if we miss one.
we will get the other" Brooks said
that he gave up the world on the 2Sth
night in April. At that time he claims
the angel of peace and forgiveness
heart clean. Since that time he said,
ne mas been ready to die.
and he had no fear of the rope that
dangled in the cell adjoining the one
which he occupied
The respite will expire Feb. 16. which
falls on a Sunday, and unless further
action is taken the prisoner will have
to hang on that day. While Friday Is
usually selected as the day for execu-
ton there is no law in this regard and
II is legal TO hang on any day in the
week. Even If the sentence of Brooks
is not committed it is not at all likely
that he will be hanged on Sunday. The
prisoners counsel will begin immedl-
ately to work for a communication of
the sentence.
Gov. Gamblers action is explained in
the following special to the Morning
News from Atlanta:
Gov. Gambler received kilograms
this morning while at breakfast from
Judge II. D. d. Twiggs, Hon. r. G..
duBignon and others, urging that the
respite be granted, and on account of
the grave doubt in the evidence. the
character of the main witness having
been brought into serious question,
the Governor granted the request and
promptly ordered the execution stayed.
The case will come up before the Prison
Commission again, executive clemency
having been refused on the first ap-
Dlication.
Always patronize the home article
Specially if it's better. Cooks I'm
perial Extra Dry Champagne has no
ecual.-ad