Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-09
SHAFFER READY TO DIE
VISITED TODAY BY HIS MOTHER
AND OTHERS.
The Condemned Man to Expiate on the
Scaffold the Crime Of
Murder.

Augustus Shaffer, who is condemned to
die on the scaffold in the District Jail to-
morrow afternoon, stated today he was
not surprised when he learned that the
President had reported adversely upon the
application for a Communication of the death
sentence to life Imprisonment
Il am not afraid to die he said. I'm
fully prepared to meet DEATH but hate
what 1t will bring upon my family"
Two brothers of the condemned man. and
his mother, two sisters and brother-n-
law called at the Jail early this morning
and were admitted to the rotunda. The
brothers talked through the iron grating
to the member of their family who is so
soon to die for the murder of his wife,
Catherine Ivey Shaffer. in August, 1903.
While two Of them were ConVerSing with
him this afternoon the Rev. John Roberts,
colored, passed through the rotunda.
The condemned man called HIM and in
troduced him to his brothers as the pris-
oners' friend" Skaters conversation with
the brothers was resumed, and they and
other friends remained with him until late
in the afternoon.
The interview of today will probably be
the last one his mother will have with her
boy. It is hardly probable that any men,
Der of the family will call again, as it is
customary in such cases for leave to be
taken of the condemned ones the day be-
fore the execution.
The only two exceptions were in the cases
of Guiteau and a colored man named Col
bert. Guiteaus brother witnessed his exc
cution and the elder Colbert saw his son
die.
Skaters last night on earth will probably
be spent quietly. The Rev. Father Nc
CURE will probably spend the most of the
night with him and will be on hand early
tomorrow morning.
This morning he slept from / until 5
o'clock. During the other hours he con-
versed with the guards, but said very little
respecting the crime for which he Is to pay
the penalty.
'Shaffer is holding up WELL" one of the
guards remarked this afternoon. His
brothers, who came today, were visibly af-
fected."
Arrangements for Execution Complete.
Final arrangements for the execution of
Shaffer were made at the Jail this afternoon
by Warden Harris and his assistants The
preparations for the event were carried out
quietly and with that stern solemnity which
the warden believes should characterize the
carrying out of the final DEGREES of the law
in such cases.
These preparations were in striking con-
trast, it was remarked. with those in other
places notably at Charlottesville Va,
where the law officers are also preparing
for the hanging of former Mayor McCue.
There was 10 noise of hammers or saws
to distract the condemned man from his
of curious people anxious to get passes to
witness the legal tragedy. nor were there
any strangers permitted to trespass upon
Shaffer in his cell. where he was making
his preparations for death.
The District jail was as quiet as the in
terror of deserted church, and the guards
and prisoners moved about noiselessly and
without confusion.
A bag of sand weighing $50 pounds, was
employed this afternoon in testing the rope
for tomorrow'S execution.
1t was given fall Of more than six feet
and the rope stood the test well. 1t Is the
same rope with which Benjamin G. Hill
was hanged In July, 1903. Hill shot his
wife to death in her boarding house on Mis-
souri, avenue, and attempted to kill his
stepdaughter.
Warden Harris today enforced an IRON
clad rule, which permit only members
of Shafer's immediate family to call upon
him before he is executed.
A Model Prisoner.
Mr.. Shaffer has been a model prisoner.
said the warden this afternoon, land has
not caused us any trouble or apprehen-
sion"
His health is good and there is no present
prospect of a breakdown or even weaken
ing when the time comes for him to ascend
the steps to the gollows platform.
Early tomorrow morning Shaffer will be
transferred from the south wing to the
north wing, in close proximity to the gall
lows, so that he will be required to take
but few steps to reach his position un-
der the moose.
AS usual the execution will only be wit
messed by the jury, Of which the newspa-,
per men will form a part; the physicians
and few immediate friends
The officials of the jail had not at late
hour this afternoon been advised as to
the funeral arrangements, but it is under
stood the matter is in the hands of Shat
fer's brother, who will take charge of
the body after the execution, and the
burial will probably be at Mount Olivet.