Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-11
AWAITING EXECUTION
TWO CONDEMNED MEN IN THE
DISTRICT JAIL.

Having repented and expressed himself
more especially for the killing of Eva
Barnes. Charles Edward Grant, coiored,
says he is prepared to leave this world.
During his trial for murder he exhibited
a feeling of Indifference that Is seldom
shown by a man who is on trial for his
life. He had apparently no interest in the
proceedings. The contention of the gov
eminent was that his crime was due to
jealousy, and, although witnesses told of
the quarrel and gave particulars Of the
stabbing, he declared that she ran or fell
against an open knife he had In his hand.
When his case was finally disposed OF
by the imposition of the death sentence
Grant realized that he had no further
chance, and he told friends he never had
any hope after his conviction. He realizes
that today is his last Sunday on earth,
he says, and that next Friday between the
hours of 6 and IL o'clock he will have to
go upon the scaffold and pay the extreme
penalty Of the law.
you should be making preparations for
the hereafter he was told by friend
who called upon him one day last week.
Your time is short and you are old enough
to be making preparations"
There is nothing else for me to do, y
said the condemned man. -Four weeks
ago l experienced a change, and I've been
them
Rev. John Roberts, whose missionary
work among condemned men has brought
him in contact with scores of murderers,
He has been with him almost every day
during the past two weeks and will spend
more time with him from now until the
day of his execution.
Burge Feigns Insanity.
Mr.. Roberts is also interested in the case
of William Burge. the wife murderer who
is under sentence to pay the death penalty
the 4th of December next. Burge is the
man who, it is declared. has been feigning
insanity in an effort to avoid paying the
penalty of his crime. His conduct in Jail,
however. has not been such as to impress
the guards that his brain Is disordered.
Friday, when Burge was taken from the
prison to the court to be sentenced, Grant
became nervous and seemed relieved when
Burge returned. 1t is his desire to spend
some time with Burge during the coming
week and try to persuade him to begin
making preparations for the terrible ordeal
through which he is to pass. ;
During the religious exercises that VIII
be conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Roberts at
the jail today both condemned men are ex-
pected to be in attendance. Grant has
made known that he desires to attend the
meeting. Burge may not attend the meet
ing, as he still has hopes of a reprieve. r
Several times during the time he has been
in jail, 1t is stated, officials of the prison
have feared he would make an effort to
commit suicide, and they have paid par
ticular attention to him to prevent such a
possibility. Evangelist Roberts spends
considerable time with Burge, and he will
continue to visit him until he pays the
death penalty.
1t Is said there Is no hope Of a reprieve
or further extension of time in the case
OF Grant, but that the appeal in the case
Of Burge may prolong his life.N Under the
sentence Of the court the warden may exc
cute the sentence on Grant at any time
between o'clock in the morning and noon.
1t is thought the execution will occur early
in the morning.
In Murderers' Row.
Grant is confined in what Is called muir
derers' row." 1t is on the first floor Of the
south wing of the prison. He will prob
ably remain there until Friday morning
short time before he is to be taken to the
scaffold. At the proper time he will be
transferred across the rotunda and placed
in cell from where he will have to take
but few steps in order to reach the scat
fold.
The spiritual adviser thinks that Grant
will be in condition to walk there without
any show of emotion, and that he will
cause the guards no unnecessary trouble
man, is widow. Her husband the father
Of the prisoner, was killed in a mine In
West Virginia several months ago. The
mother will make an effort to have the
body Of her son given Christian burial in
a local cemetery.