Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-10
Ominous Silence in City.


A strong. nervous tension pervaded in
the city of Charlottesville last evening ana
throughout the early hours of this morn
ing The mental strain was even deeper
than 1t appeared from the surface indica-
ttous for The excitement was, in large
measure suppressed. An air of anxious
expectancy possessed the citizens, finding
voice In occasional expressions, but mani
tested mostly by an ominous silence 1t
seemed th5. @ vague dread of something
more 6C.crLi even than the approaching
execution Ct lIcCue had seized upon the
populace IL was in reality, the natural
horror witch the terrible case, with It's
tragic setting, had awakened in the public
mind, coupled vita the ill-def1ned appre-
heusion that something, at the eleventh
hour might happen 20 interfere with the
due admInistra ..On OF the law and defeat
the ENDS o. justice.
This summary OF the situation, in effect,
was stated with all confidence by one OF
the leading citizens of Charlottesville who
has followed TIE case from the beginning
and who is iytirna tely acquainted with the
sentiments OF the people.
Sense of Stern Justice.
Though the humanity of the citizens re-
coiled from the Ioathsome punishment
sense of stern justice and an abiding
conviction In the guilt of McCue, 1t
was declared, demanded the carrying
out of the sentence of death. Dense
clouds enveloped the adjacent noun
tain peaks, and mist shrouded the city.
thereby adding to the general feeling OF de
preston and gloom. Business proceeded
IN the usual channels. but the sound OF
laughter and the voice OF mlrth were rarely
heard on the streets. a pail hung over the
C.t---
The idea that McCue was insane was
scarcely entertained by any one in Char
Iottesville. The many who recently. visit
cd him declare that he was as We'll bal
anced mentally as when he was mayor or
the city. The thought of any delay IN the
execution that account was dispensing,
as It was thought that it would simply pro-
long the distress. AS evidence of his men
tai capacity. it was pointed out that since
being imprisoned he had transacted bust
ness as well as formerly. that his CONVEX
saticn had been logical and all OF his ac-
tons rational.
Fiety Remained to the End.
The deeply pious frame of mind which
McCue professed at the first remained with
him throughout He declared an abiding
faith in the Christian religion and an as
surance of future happiness with his wife
in heaven. His Bible was constantly at
his side. He frequently used scriptural
quotations in his conversation which, in
so far as it related to serious themes,
seemed to breathe an air OF tervent plety.
Often in his cell the voice of McCue was
raised in spiritual song. In this his guards
would join, while other prisoners swelieG
the chorus Il Would Not Live Always,
was one of the hymns he was wont to sing
McCue has been faithfully ministered unto
by the pastors of Charlottesville.
Up to tile last some one of them was an
almost daily visitor of the doomed man.
Among those constant in their ministra-
tons to the prisoner were Rev Dr. George
L. Petrie of the Presbyterian Church and
Rev. Harry B. Lee OF the Episcopal Church.
The clergy observed great reticence as to
-h1r MC(H 10 al n L
repeated statements that he was ready and
willing to die, it is confidently believed that
to the last McCue would have greatly pre-
feTred life Imprisonment to death on the
gallows. He was once heard to say with
pathos that lie wished such had been his
fate, and that he would have devoted his
energies. so far as he could, to the welfare
of his felow-conViCts.
City Sergeant Worn and Haggard.
City Sergeant Rogers, though naturally
robust and lively, was a worn and haggard
man this morning. His melancholy attend
ance upon the misery of McCue during the
past weeks had almost unnerved him, and
it was with many misgivings that he con-
ternplated the gruesome duty which his Off
cial position imposed upon him. He had
taken many precautions to divest the eX-
ecution of all unnecessarily repulsive fea-
lures. as well as to provide against any
possible mishaps AS far as possible he had
kept his plans quiet.
The sentence of the court fixing the period
of execution says that it shall be some
time between sunrise and sunset on the
date named.
Until late last night Sergeant Rogers had
not announced the hour he had selected.
In order to protect the scaffold from the
gaze of The curious without he had the
SIDES OF large canvas tent stretched
around the inclosure The quality of the
rope selected gave him much concern. A
second cord was provided for reserve in
case Of accident with the first.
l.. C. S.