Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-01
HAMILTON BAPTIZED
CONDEMNED MAN WILL BE Exc
cUTED EARLY TOMORROW.

William Walter Hamilton. coiored. VINO
is to undergo the death penalty at the DIS
trict Jail early tomorrow morning for the
murder of Lizzie Lyman about eighteen
months ago. was baptized today. The cere-
mony was performed in cell No. T. OF which
James NJ. A. Watson was an inmate while
awaiting transportation to the Moundsvil.s
penitentiary. The condemned man sent
request to Warden Harris that ne be per-
n:itted the freedom of the corridor today
instead of being confined in his cell. 1t
was his desire. he explained to spend mis-
last day on earth in an effort to benefit his
fellow-prisoners. He thought that by being
In the corridor he might be able to do some
good to at least one of the other alleged
murderers. The request was granted, ana
Hamilton was moving about the corridor
when Rev. Travis of st. Paul's Church
and the Rev. John Roberts, the missionary,
called to administer the sacrament of bap-
tism. When the missionary reached the
jail he was conducted to the cell of Joseph
Ieavell colored, who is wanted in Virginia
TO answer for the murder of Philip VII
kinson. as heretofore stated in The star.
Hamilton had been discussing religious
matters with Leavell and the latter told
the Rev. Mr.. Roberts that he wished ne
could go to eternity with Hamilton tomor-
row morning without having to return TO
Virginia and stand trial
ASdVell AaReS CONCESSION.
Then" the missionary suggested, you
have committed crime?'
Yes was the response of the prisoner;
Il killed him."
LeavelI told the missionary that he be-
heved in the doctrines of the Christian
churches and that he had once been MEN,
Der Of a church
But" he added, I'm a backslider"
During the forenoon the condemned man
made the preparations necessary to go to
the big cell in the west wing and be bap--
tized. The ceremony was brief. and Ham
ilton expressed himself as feeling better
when he returned to his cell In the south
wing. The greater portion of today was
spent by Hamilton talking to his spiritual
advisers and others. In the south wing are
the prisoners who are accused Of the more
serious offenSes. Included are several all
legged murderers. Hamilton late this af-
ternoon will say farewell to those with
whom he has come in contact during his
long period of confinement, as he Will be
transferred to the north wing late tonight
or early tomorrow morning. The con-
demned man, 1t is stated, has done more
reading and writing than any other prisoner
ever held in the local Jail under sentence
of death. He has written at least one hun
dred letters during the past month, most
of them upon religious subjects. In some OF
the writings he expressed sorrow for his
crime, and gave advice to those to whom the
letters were addressed. Hamilton has been
constant reader Of religious publications
and of newspapers, being always anxious to
read what was printed about his case He
has never made an effort to simulate In
sanity, such as a number of other con-
demned men have done. The Rev. Roberts
has arranged for the burial of the body in
Paynes cemetery, the interment to take
place soon after the remains are turned
over to the undertaken tomorrow morning.
There will be no services over the body
after the removal of the same from the
prison.