The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-08
court officials and physicians and press rep.

resentativee.
Wilson was found guilty, and his compan.
Ion. Dan MCGOWAN afterward entered a
plea OF guilty and was sentenced to life
imprisonment.
RELATIVES LAST FAREWELL.
Sampson Gray. known as Bud" mur-
dered George Jones, another negro. in Chel
tenham more than q year ago.
Relatives of the condemned negroes wer,
permitted by the Sheriff last evening to bic
them a last farewell. Gray's relatives re.
mained only q short time. but Wilson's
mother and two other women remained un
til 9 o'clock.
The Reverend F. W. Herzberger. a Luth
eran missionary. visited Wilson last nigh
and will be with him when he walks upon
the scaffold. A quartet from the Lutheran
Mission visited the Jail last night and SANG
several songs. Wilson seemed to enjoy the
hymns.
At O'Clock this morning the Reverend
Father McElwane will celebrate low mass
in the Jail chapel for Gray. Father McEl.
wane will go to the gallows with Gray and,
placing the cross in the negro's hand ad-
minister extreme unction Just before the
trap Is sprung.
Gray has walked incessantly back and
forth across the floor of the Jail sirice
Wednesday. Several Deputy Sheriffs, who
compose the death watch, have been tired
out by the negro, who seems to possess un.
usual endurance.
Wilson. on the other hand, has sat near
his cell door. talking with friends and his
guards. Once or twice he walked slowly
around the Jail. but never attained the
speed with which Gray has walked up and
down the floor.
MEN WANT NO BREAKFAST.
William Mentz, the veteran ropemaker,
delivered the ropes with which the negroes
will be hanged. to Sheriff Dickmann yes
terday. He will be present at the hanging
this morning and will adjust the nooses.
Sheriff Dickmann will give each of the
condemned negroes a chance to bid fare
well to all things earthly when they are
led to the scaffold. Gray has expressed his
intention of making a speech. Wilson says
he does not know whether he will have
anything to say.
Neither negro wants anything to eat this
morning. Gray told Father McElwane that
he wanted only bucket of coffee for his
last breakfast. The priest insisted, how
ever that Gray should eat some eggs, but
admonished him to eat no meat.
Wilson requested only pot Of tea for his
last meal. Sheriff Dickmann will give the
condemned men whatever they desire.
The death warrant will be read about $50
o'clock to each Of the negroes by the Sher-
IN. When time comes for them to go to
the gallows. their arms will be pinioned
behind them and their wrists securely tied.
Sheriff Dickmann will lead the way to the
scaffold Ind deputies will cling to the arms
Of the condemned men.
HOPES FOR CLEMENCY.
L c. Jones, attorney for Wilson, went to
Jefferson City yesterday and requested Gov
ernor Dockery to commute the negro's SEN
tence to life Imprisonment. ,He stated that
he did not believe Wilson should be made
to suffer greater penalty that MCGOWAN.
who. according to the testimony, acted as
the leader Of the robber trio.
Governor Dockery promised to 30 to the
Supreme Court building and examine the
papers in the case.
Knowing that his lawyer had gone to
Jefferson City to ask executive clemency.
Wilson expressed the hope several times
last night that the Governor would see ut
to permit him to live the remainder Of his
days in prison. As the hours passed. and
no word came from the Governor, his