Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-26
BARRED FROM DEATH HOUSE
JOHN WEST REFUSED SPEECH
WITH HIS CONDEMNED BROTHER
Washington Man Soon to Be Electro
cuted for Murder in Sid
ney, Ohio.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CINCINNATI, Ohio July o6.-John West
of Washington, D. c., was a sorely d,sap-
pointed young man yesterday wlen he
called at the Ohio state prison and re-
Quested that he be permitted TO see mis-
brother. Howard West, alias Frank Earl,
who il soon to be electrocuted for the MUIR
der of w. B. Legg. a butcher, at Sidney,
Ohio, the Goth of April. A few days ago
John West, who was serving a sentence In
the workhouse here for. alleged theft, re-
ceived a message from his brother in the
state prison at Columbus. telling of the
short lease upon his life, and asking that
he come to see him before he date fixed
for his execution.
The workhouse authorities made an in
vestigaton and became convinced that the
prisoner, John West, was a brother Of
he condemned man. although the latter had
been tried and convicted under the alias of
Frank Earl John was thereupon paroled.
and yesterday he appeared al the door OF
the prison in which his brother is spend
ing tn few remaining days Of his life in
t he death house, But West was inform 4
that he would not be admitted.
Howard West and other members of his
family are well known in this city, particu-
larry to the anglers who frequent the sec
ton of the river about the vicinity of the
Chain bridge His father, who a
street car driver in this city number of
years ago kept boathouse short dis
lance east of the bridge, several brothers
still being interested there. Before he left
this city, it is stated, Howard West was
in minor difficulties and had become known
in police circles. His mother, it is said,
committed suicide several years ago by
Jumping overheard. After the death of his
mother the boy was not satisfied to remain
at home and attend to work, feeling that
he wanted to go west and see something of
the world.
Murder and Robbery.
Freight trains were good enough for him
and his companions, and about the time
Sidney, Ohio, was reached West was ready
to commit a crime such as he had read of
in cheap novels. He appeared at the store
of w. B. Legg. a butcher, and robbed the
place The keeper of the store appeared
in his place of business while West and a
companion were there and shot TO
death. The robbers escaped with their
booty but the next day they We're cap
tured and placed in prison. So much eX-
element caused by the crime that a
special session of the court was held in
order that the murderer of the merchant
might be dealt with without delay.
During the several days the trial was III
progress the courtroom was packed with
spectators, and III anticipation OF possible
trouble the court had an extra guard of po-
licemen on duty at the entrances to the
building. Frank Walker. who was az
rested with West and VINO admitted having
been with him tn: night the murder was
| committed, went upon the witness stand
AMI told the whole story 81 the double
crime. Some difficulty WAS experienced In
getting jury, most of the residents OF
Sidney having formed and expressed fixed
opinion as to the guilt of the accused. Ii
is stated that brothers of the condemned
man did what they could TO assist him IN
defending himself against the charge, one
| OF the best attorneys in Sidney representa-.
| him at the trial.