Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-17
A BENIGN MURDERER,
Treaflwell, Who Slew His
Wife, Cheerfully Hangs
IN Portsmouth.

cfaE)-Wil1iam Treadweil this morning
paid with his life the penalty Of law for
the murder Of his wife The execution
took place in the court yard Of the coun-
ty jail 1t was narred by only one small
detail-.the breaking of the wire leading
to the trigger which springs the trap.
The sheriff had to climb down UNDER
meath the scaffold and touch the fatal
spring with his hands.
This delayed the execution less than .
minute and the condemned showed no
signs Of wayering during the unnervfng
wait.
DRANK DIsINF'ECTING FLUID.
He was as cool as any man on the SCAT
old. Just. before the march from his cell
he said that he wanted as little delay
as possible: that he wanted to die. He
has all along protested that since Killing
his wife he had not the slightest desire
to remain: on earth, sendF even protested
against his counsers efforts to get a new
trial. During his Incarceration, he drank
:lisinfecting fluid that was left In his CELL
and made other attempts at self-destruc-
ton.
The drop fell. this morning at 1886
O'clock, and at II e4 the pulse stopped.
The body was cut down two minutes later
by order of DR.. Hancock, the attending
physician.
The prisoner was escorted to the scat
fold by Sheriff Cromwell, of Norfolk co,1n-
ty, Sheriff Lawler; Of Norfolk, Deputy
Sheriffs Carmine and Huybert. and by two
colored ministers of.Norfolk county. the
Rev. F. C. Campbell. of the Third Colored
Baptist church, and the Rev. S. c. Cope
land. Of Gilnierton.
BLESSED JUDGE AND JURY
These ministers had previously held ser
vices in the corridor just outside the
prisoners CELL. On the scaffold the Rev.
Campbell offered prayer for the soul OF
the condemned. the. shacl<les were placed
upon him. and the rope adjusted. Just
before this, however, he made a speech
in which he said he was ready to die;
that he forgave all his enemies. and hoped
to meet everybody within reach of his
voice in heaven; ne invoked blessings on
the judge ard the jury that convicted him
and said that he was suffering the jus,
penalty of his crime. II am not afraid Of
that" he said. making gesture behind
him toward the engine Of death awaiting
hirl.
Treadwe1l was given a drop OF SIX feet
and his neck was broken.
DONNED HIS SHROUD.
The prisoner arose early this morning
AMI dressed in his usual garments. about
10 o'clock the blue serge suit, white shirt
and collar, and black tie were brought out
out and he quietly put them on. He con.
versed freely with his fellow prisoners
and seemed a lmost cheerful up to the Ia
moment. Mike Haley. one OF the inmates
| of the prison, did all In his power. t.
| cheer. the man and keep his nerve UP
deputy Sherbert Huybert, than whom NJ
| man was ever more kindly disposed to-
wards the unfortunates In his cha rye. wa:
also frequently IN the CELL speaking word:
! Of encoura cement.
Treadwell oaced restlessly up and ,dowr
| his cell, awaiting the final scene. He het
sent TOR four colored women. whom ht
| said had been good to him. The ministers
arrived before they did. The Rev. Camp
bell prayed and then the prisoner prayed
for his own salvation. ferventIy and witt
all, the earnestness OF. man making NJ
last appeal to his Maker.
The Rev Copeland next prayed. anc
/ then hymns were surg. Treadwell sac
lthen that he was ready. and that ne pe'
I, lteYed the Lord would save MIN.
THE WONksS yvEPT.
Shortly before Sheriff Cromwell reat
the death warrant. ito which sTreadwei
| listened with down-east eyes, his bod!
| swayiIg slightly while the WORDS ina
I meant his doom were repeated. Deputy
\ Sheriff Huybert gave him dose OF pro
| mtde, the drug that he has called lol
/ continually during the last few Day
The four colored women arrived at tnl'
/ time. and there was an affecting scene
TreadwelI begged them not to break dowI
/ and holding up wonderfully we'll himself
One OF the women said: william
j never see you looking SO well you 1901
nappy, sure enough: believe you COINS
| nome. and only hopes your SOUL IS a
bright as Your face.
immediately after the women 2le1l :, z IN
corridor. weeping bitterly. the march t
the scaff6ld began. and the final act wa
i speedily over witt