The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-10
TRIED ON HIS STROUD
ABE COHEN ADMIRED HIS DEATH
CLOTHES.
WILL BE HUNG THIS MORNING
CONDEMNED MAN WITHOUT A
SHCDDER AT DEATH.

Laughed and JOIed as He Stroked
the Black Suit in which He Will
Die-"They're Fines Don't They
Smell Good" He Said as He
Shifted the New GOOds-COndemned
Man Sends Message to Those Who
Read and Don't Heed-A Long
Farewell to His Friends, with IA
Hope to Meet Them in His Better
Home.
Gods will be done. He does every
thing for the best and nothing for the
worse 1t is His will, and l am glad to
60"
These were the words of Abe Cohen.
who will to-day be hurled into the life
eternal. as he peered through the iron
grating to his cell in the jail yesterday.
Unfinching in the shadow of the gal
lows, and without a shudder at the
thought of inevitable death, Cohen
jests with the jailer and talks Of the
execution as if it were nothing out Of
the ordinary.
An example of his nerve and APP
parent indifference was manifested yes
terday when the clothes in which he is
to be executed were brought to him to
be tried on. The apparel, consisting Of
a neat black suit of clothes, black
shoes, black tie, white shirt and white
gloves, is furnished by the county. A
few minutes before the time set for the
execution the condemned man will be
dressed in them, and led to the scat
fold.
Pleased with His shrOud.
Abe tried on the suit with seeming
pride, and looked at himself admiring-
ly. Then ne pulled off the tags.
Might as we'll take the tags off,
long as it's paid for he said with
a laugh.
We'll Abe, what do you think of
them" Jailer Seyden asked.
They're fine; 'cept they're a little
tight under the arms" Then catch
ing hold of the lapel of the coat, he
raised it TO his nose and shifted the
new goods.
by golly, they sure does smell
good" he said. PITY l couldn't had
'em sooner"
The condemned man said that he did
not fear the galloWs, but suggested
that he would feel a little stronger, if
he had a couple of square meals be-
fore the hanging time" came around.
Accordingly Sheriff Schwarz ordered a
special supper for him. and Jailer Sey-
den will stand treat for his last meal
this morning. Instead of being NOV
ed by the thought that ii would be
his last meal on earth, the prisoner
smiled and said: i've got the bulge
on these other niggers tonight, sure"
May Make n speech.
Abe said that he would probably
make up speech during the night to
say on the gallows.
IF l thought anybody would pay any
attention to me l would speak, and
speak long. Trouble is people read out
don't heed. If l had just had the
chance to read that others has, I
would never have been here to-day
Tell 'em all goodbye for me, and say
that | hopes to meet them in my bet
ter home. Z"
The execution takes place promptly
at 10 o'clock this morning. All arrange
ments have been perfected. the burial
clothes bought, new hemp rope pro-
vided and the death trap creased. only
Sheriff Schwarz, his deputies, the cor
oner, two physicians and the clergy
will be admitted to the hanging.
Cohen IS in many respects a remark
able negro, and his execution is attend
Ell by more than the usual interest.
His murder of his paramount, Susie
Rogers was one of the most atrocious
and blood-thirsty crimes in the history
of the county. To-day, one year and
one week from its commission, he will
pay the death penalty.