Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-12-08
MRS. ROGERS
DIES ON
SCAFF0LD
One Of the Most Determined
Fights in History for Life
Of Criminal Proves
Vain.
~C'evsFn'w Deserts Young Woman After
Plot to Kill Husband $ Car.
red Out

Wtndsor.Vt.. Dec. s-Mrs. Mary Ma
bel Rogers was hanged at the Vermont
state prison at Windsor at 1:13 this
afternoon for the murder Of her hus.
band, Marcus Rogers. at Bennington
August 1S. 1902. Mrs. Rogers was pro.
nounced dead by the prison officials
at 1925 IL. The execution took place
after the woman had been twice re.
prieved on account Of appeals made In
her case by her counsel, and after the
United States Supreme Court had re.
fused to take action in the case. Only
comparatively few persons witnessed
the hanging, the number being re.
strictsd to those permitted to attend
BY the law Of Vermont.
Windsor. VT, Dec. S.-A telephone
message from White River junction to
the state prison sent by Attorney Chas.
A. Mccarthy, representing Mrs. Mary
N. Rogers. to the effect tnat Governor
Bell had declined to grant q reprieve
indicated that the last possibility OF
interference with the execution OF
the woman set for this afternoon had
vanished. The lawyers information
was verified few moments later by an
official telephone cali from Governor
Bell to Sheriff Peck Final arrange
ments for the carrying ont Of the death
sentence were made.
Windsor, VT, Dec. SAThe Snal
chapter in the life story Of Mrs. Mary
N. Rogers was written to-day, when
the unfortunate young woman-she
was not yet % years old-was hanged
for the murder Of the man whom sne
had sworn at the alter to love and
cherish. To the very end the woman
displayed much Of that stoical indif.
ference which had marked her de.
meanor during the three years she
had spent In prison.
The execution took place in the
storeroom on the lower noor Of the
prison. The only witnesses were those
permitted by law and included besides
the prison attendants, a number OF In.
vited sheriffs from various parts Of
Vermont and a small group OF news
paper men. Extraordinary precau-
tons were taken to prevent any un.
authorized persons gaining admittance.
Sheriff H. H. Peck, Of White River
Junction, inspected all visitors as they
passed the main prison gate, and the
corridors leading to the death chamber
were closely guarded.
The last hours of the condemned
woman were passed in company with
the prison chaplain, Rev. William H.
Hayes. Meanwhile the final prepara-
tions for the execution we're being
made under the supervision Of Depu-
ty sheriff r. A. Spa6ord Of White
River Junction. The rope, straps and
other paraphernalia were carefully in
spected. A flight Of steps led up to
the gallows. which was a massive az
faiy Of heavy oak. standiAg some six
gelt from the floor. In the death
chamber, but concealed from view,
was the casket ready to receive the
remains Of the unfortunate woman.
James McDermott Of Plymouth. and
w. l.. Fairbanks Of Springfield, accom-.
panied Mrs. Rogers down the three
flights Of stairs from her cell to the
lower floor, and stood beside until the
end. The woman was garbed In
plain black dress. The straps were
adjusted by Deputy Sheriffs Giniry
and Thomas. Of the Windsor prison.
and the knot was adjusted by Super
intendent Lowell.
While the little group of witnesses
stood with bowed heads brief pray
or was said by the prison chaplain.
At a silent signal the trap was sprung
Nv Deputy Sheriff McAuley. Despite
the fact that all of the attendants were
without experience in such matters,
the execution was conducted without
a DELAY or mishap of any kind. The
hurried exit of the newspaper corre-
spondente on their way to the tele.
graph Office appraised the crowd that
had gathered outside the prison that
the execution was over.
The remains Of Mrs. Rogers were
turneh over to her mother and sister,
and will he inferred at her old home.
Chronology Of Rogers Case.
Aug. 13, 1902--Marcus Rogers muir
dered.
Aug. IA, 1902-His body discovered
Aug. IS. l902--Leon Perham and
Mrs. Rogers arrested. Pelham con-
ompeA ...A