The Washington times., 1905-10-08
CONDEMNED MEN
FIGHT FOR LIVES
Will Go to GaIlows Unless
Court InteJvenes.
WILL BE DOUBLE HANGING
November 10 Is the Day Set for Exccu-
tion of Colored Men in the
District Jail.

OislilCl JAIL
Two murderers will expiate their
crimes on the gallows in the District
jail, Friday, November TO- next, IL the
Court OF Appeals OF the District docs
not reverse the Judgments OF the triu
courts.
1t will be the second double hanging
which has taken place In the jail since
Capt James II. Harris was appointed
warden in May. 1898. The FIRST was the
execution of William M. Strothers and
Charles Winston. both colored. for mur-
der. May 8. 1899.
Both Men Colored.
The candidates for tine diouioiiu execu-
tion, which is set for November 10 next,
are William Walter Hamilton and Will
liam Burge. Both are young colored
men. and in more than one way are the
crimes for which they are to pay the
penalty with their lives similar to those
which caused the legal taking off of
Strothers and Winston.
AS in the case OF the two last named,
Hamilton and Burge will give up their
lives for the murder Of their common
law wives. Burge, like Winston, shot
wife. while Hamilton. like Strothers.
caused the death of his victim with his
own hands. the former strangling Lizzie
Lyman with the aid of necktie while
the latter choked Mary Strothers with
his left hand while he beat her tc death
with a bottle.
Another circumstance connected with
the killings in the Strothers and Hamil-
ton cases are. that after committing the
crimes each one of them returned to the
places where they had committed the
murder and took q last look at their
respective victims.
After killing his wife Strothers left
the house. and. going to a nearby pump.
washed his hands. which were red with
her blood. and then returned to the room
where he left her and taking last look
walked away.
Arrested on Doorstep.
Hamilton did not SO soon return to
view his victim as did Strothers- After
strangling Lizzie Lyman. who was also
known as Lizzie Hamilton, his wife
Hamilton left his home. 703 Washington
court. and remained away day be-
fore returning to look upon her face.
When he had seen her he took a seat
upon his doorstep and there he was
6FteSleQ anu CHarstO With The
Hamilton denied that he was response
BILE for the death of the woman. He
contended that she committed suicide.
A letter was found In the room in which
she was killed. bidding Hamilton good
by. and stating she intended to kill her
self. 1t was afterward proven that
Hamilton was the author of the letter.
which he had written with a view TO
shielding himself.
Hamilton was twice tried In the local
courts, and twice was he convicted OF
murder in the first degree. Justice
Gould. who presided at the first trial
granted Hamilton a new trial on the
ground that the accused was not legally
notified OF the proceedings The poin,
was raised by Levi H. David and Robert
II. MCNEIL, counsel for Hamilton, that
Saturday is legal half holiday. for al
purposes, In the District. and that IL
consequence only one-half the day could
be counted as time in the notification OF
his trial
A computation OF the actual time al
lowed Hamilton by the notice served
upon him showed he had twenty min
utes less than two days. the length Of
time specified by law. For this reason
ne was granted new trial.
Hamilton's Crime.
The crime for which Hamilton will be
called to answer with his Escc,
committed June 20. 1904 He was called
TO trial six months later and December
21 was convicted of murder in the first
degree. He was called TO trial agalT
last April and a second time found
guilty
William Burge was convicted May IS
last of the murder of Daisy Jordan
otherwise known as Daisy Burge. The
evidence submitted at his trial showed
he was jealous OF the attentions shown
the woman BY other men and in fit OF
desperation shot her. After shooting hei
- thcp went 10 the home of her mother
Id attempted 10 Kill her.
After their conviction both Hamil-
ton and Burge. through their counsel
carried their cases to the Court OF Ap'
peals OF the District. 1t Is expected ar
guments on the appeals VIII be heard
next week and that n decision VIII ot
announced before the day set for tht
execution. In the event decision
not handed down by the Court OF Ap'
pcals before November 10, next. tbs
prisoners will be respited for thirty day:
and an order made postponinge the exc
cgttCn-
The discriminating use Golden Lea