Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-02-09
MRS. ROGERS RETRIEVED.
Gov. Bell Postpones Execution so
that Courts May Consider Case.

Gov. Bell Postpones Execution so
that Courts May Consider Case.
Shortly after noon last Thursday, Gov.
Z. j. Bell issued a reprieve to Mrs. Mary
NJ. Rogers, under sentence Of death TO
have been inflicted at the states prison
the following day. The date OF execution
is fixed by the governor as June % next.
The governors decision followed the pub
lie hearing given at Montpelier the
previous day at which Attorney MoloBey,
acting for Mrs. Rogers, asked for a re-
prieve in order that new evidence could
| be presented to the court with a view of
! securing a new trial The nature Of thus
| evidence was mainly that Leon Perham,
| Mrs. Rogers accomplish, who helped her
| kill Marcus Rogers, who turned state 5
| evidence against her and is now serving
| a term Of life Imprisonment at Windsor,
/ had just disclosed that he had given
/ false testimony against Mrs. Rogers at
her trial. Other appeals for clemency
were also made at this hearing, including
la petition from Sheriff Peck and the
/ deputies assigned to assist him in hang
/ ing Mrs. Rogers in favor OF reprIeye.
Gov. Bell announced the reprieve as
| follows:-
~ grant reprieve to Mrs. Mary NJ.
Rogers until Friday, June 2, 1905.
II do this expressly and only on the
1 ENunAu tnhA HilN NAdAuHs AuIuhEn nNA
attorneys, that she has not had a fair
trial and that the evidence presented
, against her was falle.
~ do not in any way pass upon the
question as 10 whether such was the fact.
/ believe that question is entirely with
the courts TO which she now has full
recourse.
81 fix the date June 2 since that will
enable her to bring her case with all the
new evidence she claims to have before
TIE supreme court at ITS May term and
the decision OF that court upon her appli-
cation must be final in so far as executive
power Is concerned. No consideration is
given IN granting this reprieve TO the
complaint made by outsiders that the
laws OF Vermont are cruel and barbarous.
believe that the laws OF Vermont are
just and mercful and express the will
and wish of the people Of the state and
the best judgment of the enlightened
and law abiding people OF the common
wealth.
81 shall not by any act Of mine attempt
to thwart the expressed will of the people
or undertake to change the policy Of our
law in regard to capital punishment"
Word was at once despatched TO Sheriff
Peck, to Warden Cakes and to the con- I
demned woman. She had abandoned
hope and received the last rites OF the
Catholic church at the hands of Father
Delaney. Her demeanor was firm. Sheriff .
Peck, who is past his prime in years
and not well, was on the verge OF coll
lapse at the duty ahead, and his deputies f.
shared his nervousness. The galloWs had 4
been erected, and all plans made for the
execution.
At 2:41 o'clock Sheriff Peck, superinten-
dent Cakes and States Attorney Batch
elder appeared before the death cell,
where they were joined by Prison Chap
lain Fuller. The sound of hammering
reverberated through the cell room The
prison carpenters had begun to take
down the gallows as soon as the governors
message was received, but the woman in
her cell heard them and believed they
we're erecting the structure upon which
she would die the next day.
Mrs. Rogers was seated at table (
writing letter to her mother. Appar-
'ntly supposing that the sheriff had
,ome TO read the death warrant, she arose .
md moved toward the door OF the cell.
sheriff Peck had never seen Mrs. Rogers
before that moment. Walking up to the
lOor he said:
"Mrs. Roge RS, am the sheriff. / have
brought yougood news.n
II am glad to meet you, Mr.. Sheriff. !
aid Mrs. Rogers, as she extended her
and through the grating. 81 have often
leard OF you, but have never met you be- ]
ore. What is the good news?"
"Gov Bell has today granted you a re- !
,rieve until June 2, replied the sheriff.
Mrs. Rogers appeared as though unable
o comprehend the meaning OF the words. 1
Without sign of emotion she gazed at
he sheriff moment and then said:
81 had given up all hope but | am glad
hat the governor has granted me more =
ime. He Is good man,
Mrs. Rogers then thanked the sheriff
nd his companions for the information =.
hey brought her. She seemed unaffected !
" the tidings and as the party moved
way from the door of the death cell she
eturned to the table and resumed writing. i
Attorney Moloney will prepare Mrs.
Rogers case on the motion for new trial 4
o that Il may come before the supreme
curt at the May term. ,
Warden Cakes received a letter post
marked Boston containing an envelope of
imposed poison which the sender asked
Iim TO hand 10 Mrs. Rogers and promised l
lin liberal reward