The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-03-27

Constable Samuel K Gaskill, one of the
death watch over Small, opened the outer
Jail door at 9. 80 o'clock on Saturday morn
ing, and said to representative of THE
News: REV. Thomas J. Oliver, the spir-
itual adviser of Small, remained all night
with the prisoner, and labored hard with
him until one o'clock in order to get con-
fession of his guilt, but without success
Then both men retired pretty well ex-
hausted"
Arising at 6 O'Clock breakfast of prison
food was served, and then both men put
in their time smoking, singing and pray
ing. Scriptural pictures of a happier
life in the future were painted to each
man by the ministers, who were still I'M
successful in getting Small to again admit
his guilt. johnson seemed to be very
happy, as he smiled to those who were in
attendance upon him. He sang two OF
three hymns, in which near by prisoners
Joined.
When told to get ready johnson, who
was in his stocking feet, asked: do l
have to put on my shoes2" No buttoner
could be found, and when hairpin was
substituted, the condemned laughed out
right. With his arms shackled behind
him and made fast by the addition of
stout leather strap, johnson stood just in
side his cell door the embodiment of bra
very, smiling to all who faced him, and
eliciting degree of sympathy from those
present.
But Small was full of emotion when
making his final preparations, in which
he was assisted by his death watch and
in the presence of three officers, it being
deemed wise to strongly guard the MUIR
derer. He did not want to die, although
he said he was ready.
At $50 o'clock Stenographer Robert
Peacock went to the cell and told Small
that If he had any statement to make now
was the time to do SO, as he would not be
permitted to speak from the gallows. At
ter some hesitation Small said: 81 want
to meet all my friends in heaven, God
being my help; and as far as l am con-
cerned / am not guilty of this crime.
am a child of God and am going free.
l hold no malice against any one. l did
not kill Miss Atkinson. That statement
is true. The Lord knows it is" Previous
to this Small told Constable Robert Myers
to tell Mrs. Small that he was not guilty.
When visit was made to the cell of
Rufus johnson, he spoke as follows: Il
am prepared to meet my God, and want
the whole world to meet Inc in heaven. 1
am sorry that the crime has been commit
ted. have taken to God. He has for
given me-"
In the meantime there was much activi-
ty outside the jail, where the witnesses
were waiting for admission. Their sum-
mons told them to be on hand at $50
O'Clock, but for some reason the door was
not open until half hour later.
There was an audience of about 200 per-
sons to witness the execution. Some were
admitted at the jail door; others passed in
through the Sheriff's residence
Entering the institution the guests were
entertained in the parlor, office, adjoining
rooms and many passed out into the yard,
except those having business there. Final
tests of the gallows were made, the in
strument of death being in charge Of
Capt. George H. Branson. When this
work was completed, word was sent up
stairs that everything was ready.
At 1908 Deputy Sheriff Fleetwood told
the men to come on" They stepped in
to the corridor and Joined the procession
which had been formed. On each side of