The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-02-03

wonderful speech. asking mercy for
Mrs. Rogers. He claimed that IL her
sentence was carried into effect, the
Stigma Of Disgrace
could never be removed from the
state. Others followed him, and 1t
looked as though Mrs. Rogers had a
large number of friends in the house
But just at this critical junction
there came a dramatic interruption
Rev. d. l.. Hilliard, Congregational
clergyman of Cabot, VT, a member
Of the legislature, rose and began n
most impassioned speech against
mercy. His was a powerful argument
and his peroration was so dramatic
and so brilliant that the big assem-
Rev. billiard cried out, Gentlemen,
you dare not vote to commute this
womans sentence! You dare mt do
it! / swear to you, gentlemen, before
my God, If she
Were Ny Own Sister,
would vote to hang her."
The effect of this statement was
wonderful. Mrs. Rogers cause tum-
bled like a house Of cards.
There was a demand for a yee. and
nay vote. Amid silence, the clerk of
the house started to call the roll.
The first vote was in favor Of Mrs.
Rogers, the second likewise. Things
looked favorable, but the third vote
was mo-
Then came two more noes and a
sudden interruption. A white-haired
member rose in his seat. Tears were
in his eyes.
Gentlemen" he said, you may
call me a coward, if you want to,
but can't vote to hang this woman"
He voted in favor Of the bill. Three
or four other members followed his
leadership. Then there came a break
in the line Six members in sue
cession voted against the bill. This
Was the Turning Point
in the vote. 1t gave strength to the
opposition, and one after another
the members fell into line against
Mrs. Rogers. Before the vote was
| half over, 1t could be seen that her
cause was lost Her counsel. Repre-.
sentative Archibald, as he saw defeat
staring him in the face, laid his head
J on his desk and cried like a child
| The final vote was 1919 against the
| resolution and 81 in favor.
To all intents and purposes the
| fight was over. The next day, how.
ever, a bill was introduced to appoint
commission to inquire into the san
ity of Mrs. Rogers. and, pending that
it provided that she should be re-
prieved This bill passed the house
but was overwhelmingly defeated II
the senate.
The only person then between Mrs
Rogers and death was Governor Bell
But shortly after the action of thu
Legislature, he settled the question O.
his attitude toward Mrs. Rogers TO
good all. Il shall never interfer,
to save the woman" he said. 9TH
people of Vermont think
She Should BE Hanged,
and l am going to see that the sen
tence is carried out. No person eve
deserved hanging more than She"
Yesterday. however, Governor Bel
changed his mind and granted q re
prieve.
Mrs. Rogers has confessed her par
in the murder of her husband an
says she Is ready to die. Her mothe
has visited her once or twice sine
she has been confined in the prison
and Mrs. Rogers has told her tina
she must reconcile herself to he
death.
Mrs. Rogers is not unattractive 1
appearance, but were 1T not for he
pair of very wonderful flashing blac
. eyes she would appear commonplace
She is a tall, broad-shouldered won
an, who weighs about ITO pounds Sh
is only 20 years old,
But Looks at Least IS.
She wears glasses, and has shoe