The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-01
VAN W0RMER BOYS DIE TO-DAY
IN INDICATIONS THAT ANY OF
THEM WILL BREAK DOWN.
rp.y send for warden Deys, and Fred
Tells Him He Needn't 10 Afraid Of
Any Trouble at the Last Moment, for
They Have Decided to Die Like Men.

Van Wormer brothers. Willis, Burton and
I'D are TO die In the electric chair here
tomorrow morning. Late this afternoon
the bows, who talk to each other continually
from their cells. sent for Warden George
Deyo, and when he appeared in the corridor
Rurton said that they wanted to say good
bv to him and to thank him for the many
hundred kindnesses shown to them since
they entered Clinton Prison.
And YOU needn't be afraid OF our making
anv trouble at the last moment" said Fred,
the Youngest boy. -for we have decided to
die like men,
The other brothers assured the warden
that they would not weaken, and all pre-
.ented such bold fronts that the warden
was very much relieved and now believes
that the triple execution can be accom-
plished inside Of twenty-five minutes and
without any narrowing scenes in the death
chamber.
The exact moment when the first Of the
hoys will be marched into the death cham
bsr has not been decided a. yet. Warden
Deyo wants his unpleasant task finished
bv noon, and If everything Is In readiness
nv II 30 o'clock the first one will be taken
70 the chair at that time. Which Of the boys
shal die first is also uncertain. A careful
watch is being kept on the boys tonight,
and the one who in the Judgment OF the
death watch seems nearest collapse will be
the first to go.
1t is unfortunate that. when the young
men are making such heroic effort to
keep up their courage to the last. the ar
raneement Of the death cells should be
- hat fvs,kt N<Nv Ia Job
out to die the others will know 1t. Willis
and Fred occupy adjoining cells, and
directly across the corridor is that occupied
by Burton. Screens will be placed before
each cell to morrow morning, but although
that will prevent the first one out from
being seen by the others, they cannot help
but hear and know what is going on. The
walk from the cells to the door Of the death
chamber is thirty-five feet. From the door
sill TO the chair is scarcely three steps.
In all, there will be twelve Inside wit
nesses and seven prison officials In the death
chamber. Judge Chester, District Attorney
have declined Warden Deyos invitation,
and the names Of the other Witnesses were
not revealed by the Warden tonight. DR..
Spit zka, who will perform the autopsy,
however, is one Of them, and he arrived
here tonight. The prison physician. DR.,
sizes. Only three newspaper men will wit
ness the execution of the death sentence,
a representative of THE sun and repre-
sentatives Of two press associations.
All three boys have been cheerful to-day,
despite the awful situation in which they
stand. They ate ravenously, ordering
chops, eggs, pie and coffee at both dinner
and supper. Their every wish has been
gratifed.
versation with each other and then sent to
Correspondence Clerk f. =, Davis for a
quire Of paper and pens and ink. For over
was impossible to learn what they were
writing, but they sent no letters out to-day.
although they received number from
reigiously inclined persons and from
cranks. II is believed that the boys have
written out statements to be made public
after their deaths.
Father M. d. Charbonneau Of Reese
vile, who with Father George Berlanger
Of this place has been acting as spiritual
adviser to the boys, visited them twice
to-day. After leaving the prison this
afternoon Father Charbonneau said: "By
the grace Of God these young men are as
strong az they ever were. They have
come into the light of their own accord,
have become deeply religious and by the
Divine blessing they are being sustained.
and they are as devout and sincere as they
.You need have no fear Of these boys
breaking down." said Father Berlanger
tonight. They will remain strong and
brave to the very end, and am sure Of it.
The two priests have arranged their
programmes for tomorrow morning. AT
$40 O'Clock the boys will take their first
and last communion. At II O'Clock the
Last sacrament will be administered. after
which they will remain in their cells in
their night clothes until the keepers arrive
and dress them in the garments IN winch
they are to die.
Father Berlanger will go. to the chair
with the first brother, while the other priest
remains with the other two. Father Char
bonneau will remain with the last boy,
praying with and comforting him while
Father Berlanger goes out with the second
to die, and both priests will accompany
Of them ALL to the chair.
Because of the sensational stories that
have been printed about the boys beng on
the verge of collapse, Warden Deyo gave
ont this statement tonight IN IT,.
@The Van Wormer boys are all three
in splendid shape They are as cheerful
to-day az when first saw them here three
months ago They want to die game and
have assured me that they will make no
trouble. They have asked me not TO de-
liver any more letters to them' ana thelr
wishes will be respected.
"Jhe only request about the order Of
death that has been made was made 10
me to-day by Fred, the youngest boy, who
ia but % years old. He wants to die first
and have Willis, the eldest, follow him.
He is unselfsh in this request, his idea
being that Williss courage Is not quite AZ
st ropp az his and his brothers., and that
TO come between them will do much to
fortify him. I wish we could prevent the
bows knowing when the first execution
occurs, but we cannot.
state Electrician Edwin F. Davis arrived
here to-day and put the electrical apparatus
in order. Each boy will receive an initial
shock of 800 volts. 3 to S amperes. The
current will then he reduced to 200 volts.
I ampere, and then up to 1900 volts, or
Mrs. Van Wormer, the stepmother Of
the bows. left here yesterday. Before
going. Warden Deyo gave her $40 and Father
Berlanger gave her s., which. added to
the. SIS she had when she came here, is
enough to have the bodies shipped to Kinder
hook. They will be sent from here on
Friday afternoon.
GOV. oDELL ASKED TO STOP 1T.
RrrpAIO, Sept. 3O-Hartzel brothers, the
Young lawyers who are counsel Tor Mrs:
Hull and Mrs Burdick in the celebrated
murder case sent to-day the Following
telegram TO Gov. Odell:
The atrocity OF killing the three. Van
wormer brothers by the state q New York.
as planned for Thursday, will hold your
name UP 10 infamy throughout civilization.
For the sake Of humanity. decency ana civili-
,ation stop II. ....
Fnl1a HEAD