Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-24
HILL HANGED At JAIL
Wife Murderer Pays the
Penalty Of Death.
MAKES A STATEMENT
DECLARES THAT HE WAS NOT AC-
EQUITABLE FOR CRIME.
Drop Falls at 1.40 P. NJ. and Con-
demned Dies Instantly-Was
an Old Soldier.
MAKES A STATEMENT


der paid the penalty of his crime on the
scaTold at the District Jail this afternoon.
The drop fel, at 1:i9 pm. and it is Off
cially stated that death was instantaneous
The warden of the Jail was given the
privilege of having the execution between
the hours of II and O'Clock. and he de-
ferred II until almost the last moment, so
that any word from the President. either
reprieve Communication of the SEN
tence might be effective.
Hills Last Night.
Hill's last night was passed quietly and
without incident. Father Mcguire, his
spiritual adviser remained in his cell in the
south corridor until after IL o'clock. Hill
went to bed and slept soundly He awOke
about q o clock this morning.
Hill appeared more nearly unnerved this
morning than at any time since his incar-
Ceration. He ate heartily of breakfast and
spoke occasionally to the guard outside his
cell. The breakfast included soft-boiled
eggs. toast and coffee.
Father Mcguire Arrives.
Hill was just completing his breakfast
when Father Mcguire was shown into the
cell at = O'Clock. The condemned man spent
the morning with his spiritual adviser.
Hill dictated statement to Father Ma
Gure. which was to be given to the public
after the execution. No word of reprieve
Communication having been received at
$40 o'clock Warden Harris and one of the
guards escorted Hill from his cell across the
corridor to the north wing.
All of the prisoners confined In the east
corridor OF the north wing were removed
to the west corridor. where they could not
witness the execution
When the little party. composed of the
warden. guard. the condemned man and
his spiritual adviser reached the north cor
ridor. Warden Harris read the death war
rant and the hands of the prisoner were
tied behind him.
At the Scaffold.
The scaffold. In the area east OF the north
wing. was reached through side door. The
Jury Of physicians and newspaper men were
in their places at the foot of the scafrold.
There was no time lost in ascending the
steps to the scaffold. During the time
Hills legs were being tied and the black
cap was being placed on his head. Father
Mcguire was informing the service of the
Catholic Church. Just before the cap was
drawn Hill placed his lips to the crucifx.
Warden Harris asked him IL he had any
thing to say. Hill said he had nothing to
say.
The warden stepped aside, gave the Sig
nal. and the drop fell.
The body was allowed to hang half an
hour before 1t was cut down. After the
usual formalities the body was turned over
to Undertaken w. s. Riley, who will pre-
pare 1t for burial
The body will be turned over to the mem
bers of Lincoln Post. No. 3. G.. A. R.
Hills Statement.
The following statement was dictated by
Hill to his spiritual adviser this morning.
with no wish for the sensational. but
as single act of justice to my own men,
DRY and to my faithful friends. 1 wish to
state that 1 feel now, and have always
felt that 1 would never have killed the
poor woman who was my wife had l been
my normal self.
II have wish to speak of the causes
that frenzied my mind. but l do say that
in the sight of God l feel that l am not
guilty of the crime of a deliberate murder.
Il die firm believer in the faith Of the
Catholic Church and accept willingly the
death about to be inflicted upon me in the
hope that 1t will merit for me the full for
glveness OF all the sins have been guilty
of during the course of my life.
In conclusion. l wish to thank all who
have shown me any kindness, help or SYM
pathy. L appreciate most sincerely the
treatment accorded me by Warden Harris
and his assistants at the Jail as also the
devoted faithfulness of my friend and spir-
itual adviser. Father Mcguire. May God
have mercy on my soul.
"B. G. HILL"
Story Of the Crime.
Hill. was executed for the murder of his
wife. the crime having been committed the
evening of November last at Mrs. HIS
home. 3l5 Missouri avenue. Hill had been
employed about the city guide. He was
regarded as a man of more than average in
telligence. although addicted to the ex-
cessve use of intoxicants. His wife was a
widow before he married her. having been
hn 70 of rk,.
couple lived for time happily together.
With them lived Bertha Marsden a daugh-
ter of Mrs. Hill
Some time after their marriage Hill be-
gan to drink heavily and at times would
not turn up at his home Oftener than once
a month or six weeks. This caused trouble
between the man and wife at first but she
ceased talking to him about his Delinquent
cies and permitted him to have his own
way.
Hill was a veteran of the civil war and a
member of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie He drew pension OF about S. per
month. 1t Is alleged that when he drew his
pension he would disappear until ne had
used up the money in drink and would
then turn up at home, to live with his wife
until the next pension day. Mrs. Hill man.
aged to make a living by keeping board
ing house and by nursing. She was re-
garded as an expert nurse and was fire.
quently called upon by her friends and rel
atives to care for their sick. She had been
of the murder. and returned for but a few
hours to see that the boarding house at
fairs were In proper order. She decided to
remain to dinner with her daughter and
her boarderS and was seated at the table
when Hin came in for the first time In
several days. He walked into the dining
room. which is In the rear of the base
ment of the house, and spoke politely to all
present. wishing them good evening"
The Fatal Shot Fired.
Mrs Hin was seated on the side of the
table opposite the entrance to the ROOM
with her daughter opposite her. There were
three other persons in the room. two men
and a woman. all seated about the table
1t is alleged that Hill walked around the
table and bent over his wife as though he
was about to kiss her. AS she leaned back
to receive his salute, he drew a revolver
and shot her. She screamed and ran out
of the room. Her daughter jumped up
when the shot was fired and made for the
door behind her. whereupon Hill called to
her and fired. the shot going over her head
and lodging in the door.
The wounded wife was taken care of by
neighbor and the police We're notified to
arrest Hill. He was walking down the
street when overtaken and placed In Gus
tody lie made no resistance and was es-
corted to the station house without diff