The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-19
WAITING ON DEATH
ABE COHEN, MURDERER, DISPLAYS
STOICAL INDIFFERENCE
IN SHADOW OF GALLONS.
HAS NO FEAR OF BLACK CAP AND
HANGMAN'S MOOSE.

Day Draws Near for Execution and
PrfSOner Attracts AttentiOn-COhen
Says He Is Getting in Shape to
Meet His Maker and Will De In
Condition When Time Arrives.
His DemeanOr Excites Wonder of
AII-Even Turnkey and Hardened
Criminals in Jail Are Struck by
His Utter UncOncern.
With an Indifference which excites
the wonderment of all who have seen
him, and with a nerve which is new
even to the turnkey of the cell in which
for nearly year he has been confined,
Abe Cohen, the murderer of Susie Rog-
ers waits for the gallows. which, just
without his cell door yearns for him.
Because of this absolute indifference
the prisoner is attracting much atten-
ton. On July 10, just three weeks from
to-day, he will expiate with his life for
his crime.
Cohen has absolutely no fear of death.
If he had it would at some time present
itself; but the trained eye of the JAIL
er and the discerning gaze of the turn
key have been unable to perceive the
slightest display of emotion, and all In
quiries addressed to him on the sub
ject are answered in such an uncon-
cerned, and yet philosophical way, as
to ward away sympathy and solicitude.
When Cohen was first convicted and
the dread verdict of the jury was read,
he walked nnnnhn n nf1xy no Irt
room, and as he passed into the sher-
ifs office where some of his anxious
friends were awaiting his return 10
learn of his fate, he passed his finger
across his throat, grinning and utter
ing queer sound as he did so. When
his counsel made application for a
new trial he expressed himself as ut
terly Indifferent in the matter say
ing that he supposed the sentence of
the court had about as well be i'm
posed.
Picture of Indifference.
This same stoical indifference has
characterized his every action since he
was first incarcerated a year ago. Con-
fined in the Jail from which he will
never again emerge alive, he gives no
thought to the terrible ordeal which
confronts him, except in his religious
devotions. In this respect he is queer
He seems to treat the matter as an
athlete would his training. He says
that he is almost in condition to meet
his Maker and that by the time the
day to hang arrives, he will be ready
Rev. Prince Black, who for years has
ministered to the condemned, is his
spiritual adviser
The hour of the execution has not
yet been definitely determined. The
10 VIZ mr. sarilN l,.,A q -
tween the hours of 10 o'clock a. m and
4 o'clock p. m. 1t is probable, however,
that it will be at 10 o'clock, this being
the time at which executions have
been held in the past. The execution
will only be witnessed by the officers
of the court, ministers and a physician
The question which now engages the
minds of the officers is how Cohen will
stand the ordeal. Many of them be-
lieve that he will break down at the
last minute. They say that it is often
the case that the very ones who exhibit
the most stolid Indifference and uncon-
Germ during confinement, are the ones
who make the most ado when they
are ordered to ascend the scaffold and
have the black cap adjusted.
COhen's WantOn Act.
The crime for which Cohen will he
hung is the most revolving which has
NSSeA CN III NAdlldiIl NOuHly III I1dllY
years. Two juries have refused to
grant the murder any clelnency. Aft
er shooting down a helpless woman,
and emptying every chamber Of his
revolver into her PROSTATE form, the
murderer raised the limp arm of his
victim and kicked her brutally in the
breast.
He then walked calmly out Of the
open door, the pistol smoking in his
hand, leaving the girl in flames, caused
from the closeness with which he had
held the weapon of death to his I'M
armed and helpless victim. Never has
he attempted to justify himself for
the deed, further than to say that he
could not stand the taunt Haunted in
his face by the girl to the effect that
she had his superior"
The crime was committed on july 8.
1902. Cohen will be executed just one
week after the anniversary of the muir
der.