Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1907-01-11
ARCHER GOES TO HIS
DEATH WITHOUT FEAR
,aief Warden MeServe. as
Haneman, Says iii Was a
SuCCeSSfuI Execution"
EXPRESSED SORROW
FOR REVOLVING CRIME

William Archer coiorod. convicted OF
the murder Of Ida Elizabeth Spires. al.o
colorcd, was hanged at the coun.y - work
house this morning. The trap was sprung
at 1926 o'clock By Chief Warden A. NJ
serve the drop Of six fget breaking tn,
negro's neck. Dr. j. w Baat.ln and =
associate. Dr. H. A. ciuver. pronounced
the man dead at 1888 IL O'Clock. aud tho
body was cut down at 1850.
Archer in the face of Impending doom.
displayed remarkable courage. and not
once since the time of his sentence 10
death did he show any.sisns Of fear at
approaching death.
Since the death sentence was mros,d
Archer has been confined IN eel No. -.
the last one In 'murdsrers row. anu
next to him is the cell Of Lewis Johns.
also colored. who vail hang On january
al for the murder Of Aramcda Jones. The
two men, 1t Is said. conversed frequently
or their approaching fate.
His Spirits Good.
Several days ago Harvey Beck, one OF
the employees OF the institution, was
placed as death watch over Archer, ana
day and night guarded his cell. The prs
oner laughed and ohattod with Beck, bur
az no time did he mention his oncomin.c
fate Yesterday his mother and sisters
called upon Archer, and were admitted fer
last interview with their scn and
brother He squatted down at his II
door and conversed cheerfully with them,
displaying not the slightest signs OF fear.
Last night Mr.. Meserve sent the con-
dcmned man a stoaming hot dinner uf
beeksteaf, potatoes. coffee and pie. which
was consumed In evident enjoyment Ar
cher retired az the usual hour last even
Ing but was restless throughout the night.
lie was up at daybrealx. however. snd
breakfasted heartily on ham eggs pota-
toes, bread and butter ana coffee He
then dressed himself in a SUIT Of black.
provided for the occasion. and awaited the
hour OF his execution.
Jury Arrives.
Although It was stated that an unknown
oxecutoner would send the prisoner into
eternity, the trap was sprung by Warden
Meserve, who announced this morning
that he would carry out the duty. Tho
jurors summoned to witness the execu.
ton arrived at the workhouse at 10
o'clock, and few moments later the Rev.
B. 4. Moore, the colored spiritual advis,
Of Archer, arrived and was excorted To
the condemned mans cell Here he spent
several minutes with Archer, during
which he offered a short prayer and sang
a verse from the hymn "A Charge 10
Keep I Have" archer appeared nm
moved although he professed repentenco
for his crime. He sent a last message TO
his friends by the minister, saying that
he was sorry that ne had committed tha
deed. and begged God for forgiveness. no
said that he had been led to commit the
crime and was ready to pay the penalty.
Archer was not quite q years old.
Led to scaHold.
At 1920 o'clock the prisoner was led
from his cell through ihc tunnel TO the
scaffod, which had been erected in the
workhouse yard He mounted the stops
lading 20 the platform without a tremcr
and took his stand upon the trap door
which was soon 70 swing him into eter-
nifty Upon the platform were Ward
Crawford and Charles Wolfe. deputy sher-.
in OF Delaware County. Pa. who had be n
summoned TO assist Warden Meserve In
the execution. In moment the black cap
was adjusted and tho Moose was slipped
about Archers neck. the knot being
placed in position beneath the left ear ty
Sheriff Wolfe. Archer at the sherffs re-
quest, raised his head SO that the knot
would set in proper position. murmuring
at the same times May the Lord have
mercy upon my soul" The next instant
the trap opened and Archers body
plunged downward six feet.
No sietenins Details.
There were no sickenlng details con-
nected with the execution. and It was car
ried out without a hitch OF any kind.
Sheriff Wolfe stated after the hanging
that although he had officlated at similar
occurrences a number Of times. he had
never seen one more successfully done.
III all We're carried out like this" he SAID.
there would be no necessity Of the cleo
] trio chair"
Unconsciousness came. he said, the sec
ond the drop fell The trap was sprung
by Mr.. Meserve from behind a curtain.
anu H' 'ho Win AHt exception OF a leW
persons saw the hand that carried rho
sentence into execution.
Coroner Callaway was present and took
charge of the body. which was re4n0ved
to the county almshouse at Farnhurst
where it viii be buried this afternoon.
Archer's relatives not having the means
TO take charge OF the corpse. The soaf-
fold was erected by Media parties. and
was the same on which Joiner was exc
cuted.
just as the trap fell one Of the witnesses
OF the execution tainted. and il was some
time before he wes revived.
Continued on Second Page.
jefferson Day Dinner.