The Washington times., 1905-02-10

CHARLOTTESVILL Va, Feb 10
J. Samuel McCue. former mayor of this
city after confessing his guilt, exptated
the crime of wife-murder on the scaffol0
in the jail here this morning.
He refused the offer OF assistance OF
the guards. walking erect and hurriedly
10 the scanold.
McCue left his cell, where he had
spent a sleepiess night, a few minutes
after 7:3n o'clock this morning, accom-
panied by his spiritual advisers. He
kept his nerve to the last
The drop fell at :36 and he was pro-
nounccd dead at 7:54
The execution was without a hitch.
McCue's Confession.
Immediately after the execution. the
ministers who had attended him, the
Revs. G. I. Petrie. John B. Turpin, and
II. B. Lee. made the statement to the
newspaper men, in which McCue admits
he had killed his wife, being inpeIIed
to the deed by an evil power that he
could not overcome
AIeCue's last night was ore of dis
tress- He was extremely nervous and
repeatedly asked for his children
Despite his earnest Dleadings that he
be allowed 10 have them with him dur
ing the night his relatives denied him
this.
His brother was with him for short
time in the early evening. Then during
the long night the ministers who had
been with him since yesterday prayed
constantly with the murderer, singing
hymns and reading the Bible. The
doomed man united in the responses.
Twenty Minutes Sleep.
Al G;o5 o'clock McCue fell asleep for
FIRST fF1a h n sL-t. in,
" minutes.
Early in the morning, the twenty-five
persons. mostly newspaper men and
physicians, who were to witness the ex-
eeution, were admitted to the prison.
Outside were gathered several hun
dred people, and, despite the chilling air,
they stood AZ the main door, looking
constantly up 81 the prison windows,
scrutiniz:ng with envy the few that
were admitted and in bated breath dis
cusscd the crime and the coming exc
cJitioa-
AIcCues relatives who had been given
permission 10 view the execution were
not present
Death Warrant Read.
AT 7:28 Sergeant Rogers read the
death warrant in the cell. The long
and torturing document was heard by
tflE lyIlSCitEt al s4lt4Ce- mere were
present at this time the two ministers
and DR. G. I. Petrie. the prisoner
pastor. who had reached the jail shortly
before 7 o'clock.
Immediately thereafter the march 10
the scanord began.
Sergeant Rogers offered his arm The
prisoner declined ii saying he was able
TO go without assistance.
Tl4e order Of procession was: The twC
guards, the prisoner with the sergeant
at his left and Dr.. Petrie al his right
the others following in the rear. tne
ministe" softly praying.
On the ScaffoId.
The doomed man was bareheaded anG
In his shirtsIeeves. AS he started VI
the steps leading TO The fatal platform
he shook hands with Dr.. Petrie withou
stopping his progress, anc &scende6
with q frrn step. The only evidence ol
emotion with his pellor. which was not
very pronounced
Taking his stand on the trap he folded
his arms for a moment across hi
breast and then placed them behind him
where they were pinioned by an assist
ant as were his feet. Next a long blacl
robe was put about him
Sergeant Rogers adjusted the moose
the prisoner stood up with his back t
the thirty-fve people who stood on tn
west side of the scaford. The blaci
cap was then pulled down over his hea'
and neck.
There was no word spoken either b,
the prisoner or anyone in the crowd.
The Trap Sprung.
At signal from the warden, at 7:3l
the trap was sprung.
The doctors present examined tn
body at frequent intervals and al 7;5
lConfinnsd On Third PaeaA