Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30
OPPOSED IT
HAMILTON WANTED TO PREACH
AT JAIL.

Warden Harris vetoed a proposition to
permit Walter Hamilton, q condemned
murderer, to address the religious gather
ing at the Jail yesterday, and disappointed
the religious people who gathered there to
minister to the many unfortunates who
are serving time for misconduct. Hamil-
ton had sent a written request to the
warden that he be permitted to preach to
the congregation, but the warden thought
it would not do to permit such an inno-
walton in the prison. He told Hamilton
that he could do his talking to his
spiritual adviser, Rev. John Roberts. the
colored missionary, and that he could also
listen to the latters comforting words, but
that he would have to remain silent while
in the cage listening to the religious ser
vices in the rotunda. This order did not
have the effect Of depriving the condemned
man of the privilege of singing, and he
participated in the musical part OF the
service. Hamilton Is to die on the scanold
the morning of November 10 for the murder
OF Whom '1i he Iym usa at also 7os c08 Washington
court at the time he strangied her
to death the 21Bt Of June. 1904. Will
lam Burge. also colored. is to die upon the
He shot and killed his wife. Daisy Burge.
at her place of employment. 20O6 r street
northwest, and then went to the house OF
his mother-in-law, 11O2 o street, and shot
latter that his brother-in -law.shot HIM He
was SO seriously wounded that he was
taken to the Homeopathic Hospital While
under guard at the hospital he escaped by
jumping from upper window, but was
soon recaptured and taken to a police sta
ton. Since his conviction he has shown
symptoms of insanity at times, and 1t has
been feared that he would make an effort
to take his life. He has paid but little at
tertton to spiritual matters and his appar-
emit Indifference has caused Hamilton no
little worry. Hamilton Is looked upon by
people in the prison as a religious crank,
but it is admitted that he has done some
good to his fellowprisoners.
II would like to go in his cell and pray
with him." Is the frequent statement of
Hamilton when discussing the case Of
Burge.
The latter, however, objects to being an
noyed by him and has never consented to
listen to him, although Hamilton has dis
cussed religious matters with him several
times The latest request of Hamilton was
that he be permitted to participate In yes
terdays meeting.
II think can do some good" he said,
'if am permitted to tell sinners of how l
was led to wrongdoing and advise them
what they should do to gain salvation"
No Roadway With Burge.
Ministers have been calling upon the con-
demned men and comforting with them upon
religious subjects. but, 1t is stated. none Of
them seems to have made any Roadway
with Burge. The condition Of Burge, at
times. indicates that his impending doom
is really affecting his mind. He
has often expressed himself as be-
ing anxious to die before the time
fixed by the court, and It is because
of these statements that the Jail officials
feared he might attempt to injure himself.
Most of his time is spent pacing the floor
Of his cell or the corridor. while Hamilton
devetes his attention to doing good. among
the prisoners. During the time he is con-
fined in his cell he reads the Bible and
other religious publications. 1t Is Hamil-
toms intention to make a speech while
upon the scaffold. but his religious adviser
will make an effort to have him abandon
this notion. Both men will be executed at
the same time. But little preparation Is
necessary on the part of the Jail officials in
order to have the scafrold and ropes ready
for the occasion and nothing will be done
in the matter until few days before the
time fixed for the double execution. Under
the sentence of the court the men will have
to appear upon the scaffold before o'clock,
the sentence fixing the time of the execu-
ton between and o'clock instead of be-
tween 10 and 2, as heretofore. In all prob
ability the double execution will take place
shortly after O'Clock in the morning and
will therefore not interfere with the daily
routine of the prison.