Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-09
MARY ROGERS PAYS PENALTY.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

over the guard room. The death watch
consisted of Mr.. and Mrs NJ. III. LoukeS
of the prison staff. who have passed
every hour of the day and night with
Mrs. Rogers except for an occasional
brit + relief by some other prison Oh
fetal. This room has contained two
beds. curtained off from each other
and here Mrs. Rogers and her death
watch have slept night after night and
here. too. on "A small table they have
eaten regularly together.
The Only visitors to the death room
since solitary confinement began have
been Supt Lowell. Warden Palmer,
Miss s. J. Dukee, the matron, Rev.
Father G. e. Delaney and the four
ycar-old Marguerite. daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Loukes. The little girl has
helred to divert Mrs. Rogers mind by
her childish prattlc.
Mrs. Rogers has slept well most of
the nights since the death watch be-
gan and her appetite has not failed her.
Last night. she did not go to bed with
out some urging and then at about II
o'clock. She slept fairly Well until
O'Clock this morning. Mrs. Rogers has
been IN good spirits all the time. con-
si'crng, Of course, what must have
been passing in her mind in anticipa-
ticn of the awful hour of execution.
She has cOnVCrscd with the death
watch but has talked but little of her
ease except when Supt. Lowell was pre-
sent. She has occupied her time to a
great extent in croCheting lace for
aprons to be- sent to relatives and
persons who had sent money to her.
AT night her crochctinG needle was
taken away from her to be given out
again the next day. She has read the
Bible and has even committed some
passages to memory. She has written
few letters to relatives and sympathiZ-
ing persons. She has never lost hope
that in some way her life might be
spared ana even this morning attempt
ed to retain the idea that at the last
momcnt something might interpose to
say" her.
Thc galluwS was erected, yesterday
but cry VrcCaution was taken to muf-
flc the sounds of the hammer and no
iHtimatinn whatever that the work was
in progress reached Mrs. Rogers cell.
Even III" death watch did not know
about il. Mrs. Rogers. however, was
curious and kept inquiring through the
day if tn" gallows was being made
ready. Toward night Matron Dukee
told her that it was.
"Fcst"rday morning Rev. Father c.
4. Delaney of the Roman Catholic
church here administered communion
I" Mrs Rogers and gave hor spiritual
consolation. In the afternoon Rev.
William II. Hayes, the prison chaplain.
visited her cell and read the Scriptures
ana prayed with her. After he went
away Mrs. Rogers Joined with Mr.. and
MIS-. l.oukes in singing hymns Mrs.
asked for the visit of the clergymen and
appeared Ia believe that her SINS are
forgiven.
''Sh" had not confessed her crime di-
r"ctly and positively. nor had she cx-
pli'itly denied it. Indeed, she has
said little about it lately. She said she
did not consider it brave to 60 to the
staffold ana make Il confession and that
1t would not do her any good to tell
what other people had done When she
allowed herself to dwell upon the ordeal
"f today she appeared to be making
every effort to go to her fate bravely
ana with tirmnesS. The usual talk has
been current about some kind of an
oplate being administered to her to
deaden her sensibilities but it is ur-
qu@'itedly false. Mrs. Rogers did not
DRINK even coffee or tea but cortented
herself solely with cold water.
Sunt. Lowell visited Mrs Rogers Ia ct
ntSht. and talked with her a few mo-
i''ch's- She was in good spirits and
even told a story just before he left
Hh' SAID her case was not properly
managed.