Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-04-23

MIN to don, and the CONN resting De-
meath the gallows plank to receive his
body when cut down, Monroe Adams,
the double murderer, sidestepped the
death trap yesterday morning thirty
before he would have gone
through it for his revolving crime.
A reprieve from Gov. Terrell cut
short the execution, and Adams is per-
mitted to live
The action was not wholly unexpect-
ed, as early in the day it was under
stood that efforts were being made to
the end of saving the life of the red
handed murderer.
Adams was not apprised of this fact,
however, and, confident that he would
be hanged for his crime, the condemn
ed negro had worked himself up to a
state Of religious frenzy where he
avowad that he was ready to die and
that death held no terror for him.
Adams Hears the News.
But this spirit of bravado vanished
like lightning when Adams was told
that he was not to hang; that respite
had been granted.
Adams was dazed for a second when
Sheriff Bell read to him the telegram
that saved his neck; then Selling the
sheriff by the hands he covered them
with kisses; wept and prayed by turns,
laughed Historically, then prayed and
wept again. 1t was indeed as brand
snatched from the burning.
Adams will not be hanged for a
month now, if, indeed, he goes to the
gallows at all.
The respite orders stay of execu-
tion until May 18th. in order that the
Prison Commission may investigate
the case. A plea will be filed with the
board, it is said, asking that the death
sentence be committed to life imprison-
ment, and this may be the result
At all events Adams is safe for anoth-
er month and rejoices thereat.
Coffin Is Carted Away.
The grave clothes were quickly ia
ken away, the coffin carried back tc
the undertaker's shop, and the crowd
OF thousand negroes gathered about
the courthouse IN morbid curiosity
slowly dispersed The hanging was
off, and Adams was left in his cell tc
remain among his meditatIons and
fresh spring roses.
For several ladies had called early in
the day to pray with the murderer and
bid him farewell, and some of his
friends had brought him big bouquet
of splendid spring roses.
Both fruits and flowers were given
the wife murderer yesterday.
Several hundred people were admit
ted to the jail at 10 o'clock, and these
passed in review before Adams cell
He shook hends with dozens of his ac-
quaintances, bidding all long fare.
well. He requested that none of his
relatives be admitted, and the taller
cut these out of the bunch as they
appeared.
All Ready For Hanging
By 1920 o'clock the jail was cleare
OF visitors and preparations for the
hanging were concluded.
A neat new suit of black, with white
shirt, collar, tie and shoes, were laid
out, and it was just at the moment
that Adams was going to don them
that the reprieve was received.
The effect of this upon the murderer
has already been related.
Quickly the news spread to those on
the outside, and after discussing the
respite for short time the crowd then
slowly dispersed.
Adams may BE- hanged on May 10Th.
the date to which he Is respited, though
many here now express the belief that
ne will! escape the galIows altogether.
The case will be reviewed by the
Prison Commission at an early date,
and upon their recommendation the
fate of Adams rests, In the meantime
Adams neck is safe.
And he will hope now that it may
never be broken on the gallows.
Adams Red Handed Crime.
The crime for which he was sem
fenced to death, the murder in cold
blood of his own wife and daughter,
was one of the most heinous and brut-
al ever committed in Georgia. Three
lawyers represented him in his trial,
the Supreme court sustained the YER
dict, and the crime was to have been
wiped out yesterday.
But-Adsms is still above the ground
level today, and the chances are that
he will be here for some time ere his
fate is decided.
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