The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1905-02-08
Mrs. Mabel Rogers Was About to
BE Hanged For Her HuS-
bands Murder.
PRAYERS FOR The DYING READ.
Preparations For the Execution Had
Been Made and the GallOws
Had Been Erected.
The Woman Was Granted Until June
2, in Which Time the Supreme
Court of Vermont Will Pass
Upon Her Case.

Windsor, VT, Feb. "a few hours
after receiving the last rites of the
Catholic church and hearing her ia
Their cOnfeSSOr read the prayers for
the dying. Mrs. Mabel Rogers, who
was sentenced to die upon the gal
lows, listened with amazement to the
announcement Of High Sheriff Henry
II. Peek that Gov. Charles j. Bell had
granted her a reprieve of four months.
The news from Montpelier that the
governor had consented to defer the
execution OF Mrs. Rogers came as a
surprise not only to the condemned
woman but also to the prison officials
as it had been generally accepted that
the governor would refuse to inter
tfere
Preparations for the execution had
been perfected. The gallOwS had beer
erected in the west wing of the prison,
a heavy black curtain hanging from
the guard room windows shutting the
gruesome machinery of death from
public view.
Mrs. Rogers was granted reprieve
Sc that her claim to not having had a
fair trial might be passed upon by the
supreme court. Sheriff Peck carried
the news of the reprieve to the pris-
oner.
Writing a Letter To Mother.
Mrs. Rogers was seated at table
writing letter to her mother. Ap-
parently suppOsing that the sheriff
had come to read the death warrant,
she arose and moved toward the door.
Sheriff Peck had never seen Mrs
Rogers before that moment Walk
ing up to her he said
Mrs. Rogers, l am the sheriff;
have brought you good news"
Il am glad to meet you, Mr. Sher-
iff," said Mrs. Rogers, as she extend
ed her hand through the grating.
What is the good news?"
Gov. Bell has granted you a re.
prieve until June 30 replied the
sheriff
Mrs. Rogers remained like a statue
as though unable to comprehend the
meaning of the words. Without sign
VI CulOIlOn sic sodZSQ DIT the SuSTlH
moment and then said:
Il had given up all hope, but l am
glad that the governor has granted
me more time. He is a good man."
Mrs. Rogers then thanked the sher-
if for the information he brought her.
She seemed unaffected by the tidings
and returned to the table and re-
sumed writing.
Story of the Crime.
The crime for which Mrs. Rogers
was sentenced to death was the MUIR
der Of her husband, Marcus Rogers,
on August II. 1902, at the Renning-
ton. He held life insurance policy
for $500. Mrs. Rogers, Leon Perham
and Estella Bates were taken into Gus
tOdy. Perham confessed. According
to his story he and Miss Bates went
by Encouragement to the place where
Rogers was to meet his wife to effect
a reconciliation after separation. Aft
er pretended reconciliation she drew
from her dress a piece of rope and
told her husband that she would show
him new game. Tying his hands
behind his back she had him lie down
Then she took bottle of chlOrOform
from her pocket and. saturating he~
handkerchief, covered his nose and
mouth. AS the dying man struggled
to get away Perham seated himself
upon Rogers's feet. Mrs Rogers
threw the body into the river.
Mrs. Rogers was convicted of muir.
der in the first degree and sentenced
to death; Leon Perham was found
guilty of murder in the second degree
and sentenced to Imprisonment for
life, while the case against Estella
Bates was nolle pressed.