Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-23
William Burge Executed at the
Local Jail.
CONVICTED OF WIFE-MURDER
Hanging Devoid of Features Out of the
Ordinary.
THIS IS FUNNY" PRISONER SAID
Condemned Man Died Of Strangula-
ton. Neck Not Being Broken
Story Of Crime.


Contrary to the expectations of number
OF persons who had anticipated a scene on
the scaffold William Burge. colored, at the
United States Jail this afternoon, quietly
paid the penalty of the law for murder He
shot and killed his wife. Daisy Burge, the
night of january -, 1908. Burge was tried
three times twice for his life and once for
tae purpose of determining his mental con-
ditipn Seven delays occurred in the case.
and the condemned man had about REACHED
the conclusion that his life would be spared
Three. weeks ago he remarked several times
''There'Il be nothing doing on the I'D but
recently lie told the guards and his spiritual
adviser that there would be change about
the prison. The change came today.
Tie execution occurred about 12:O'
o'clock. Twelve minutes later the action of
the heart ceased. About 1870 o'clock the
body was lowered into casket and later
was removed to the undertaking establish
ment OF Hindle & Bayiiss. The interment
will he made in Payne's cemetery tomor-
TO-.
Only the Jail guards, physicians and
others permitted by law to witness exc
cutions were in attendance. AS soon as
the clock indicated the hour of noon
Warden Harris invited the witnesses and
others to follow him to the northeast
corridor of the prison, where the scat
fold stands. In the death chamber was
the prisoner. his spiritual adviser. the
Rev. John Roberts. and two guards.
This is Funny" Burge Remarked.
AS the little party emerged from be-
hind a cotton curtain. which was pushed
aside. the minister was singing: This
Is My story, This Is Ny Song" Burge.
hts arms pinioned smiling when
he appeared in view of the small gath
er!ng. Turning to one side he remarked
to his spiritual adviser:
This is funny.
While standing upon the platform the
condemned man threw back his head and
took a good look at the cross beam of
the scaffold. SO deeply interested did
lie seem in the structure overhead that
he neglected to take the proper position
upon the scaffold, and it became neces-
SIry for the guards to tug at his legs
in order to get his feet together.
The neck was not broken by the fall.
death being due to strangulation. Only one
ColoTed man witnessed the execution. he
being Policeman Owens of the second pre-
clnct. who recaptured Burge after he es-
capped from a hospital. Attorney O'Shea of
counsel for Burge was also a witness OF
the execution.
Had Quiet Night.
Barge refused to occupy his cot last night
uutn he knew that his spiritual adviser had
left the prison. 1t had been the intention
of the latter to spend the night in the pris-
on. but at $50 o'clock he came to the con-
clusion that the condemned man would get
no rest unless he absented himself. and
went home. Then Burge retired and spent
n quiet night In his cell in ''murdercrs
row" Early this morning Rev. MIR. Rob
eTts the cClored evangelist, returned to
the prison. and Burge expressed himself
"a glad to see him.
Come right in. DR.. Roberts" he said, his
face frightening. Il III glad you have come
back"
Burge yesterday expressed himself as be-
Ing perfectly willing and fully prepared to
meet his fate. This morning when adj
dressed by his spiritual adviser, he re-
sppndcd: Il feel good except about my
head" putting his hand over the bullet
wound made at the time he engaged in
the struggle in the room OF his mOther-in-
law.
And remarked the colored evangelist.
II believe the bullet did do some damage
"a his head. Burge has presented a pc
Cu.iar condition, and | am going TO see ii
/ can have an autopsy performed, in order
to ascertain If there was anything the
matter with his brain"
Brother Roberts. as the Christian work
er is So Familiarity known. commented upon
the FACT that durinG the twenty-seven
months OF his confinement in Jail Burge
was never visited by relative or friend.
His parents and sister live in Lynchburg,
he stated. and although letters were sent
10 them, no response was ever received.
Prior e. last week the condemned man
showed an utter contempt for ministers of
tse gospel, and he had even gone SO far as
a. curse ana abuse some of them but he
Had never said an unkind word TO Brother
Roberts. Burge always showed him a
marked degree Of respect. While not being
much u q Jalker, Burge proved himself a
good listener 10 religious consolation given
D. r tfr ing h. CT fpyy
cia!.y yesterday and this morning.
Resigned to His Fate.
During his discussions of religious ques-
lions with his spiritual adviser the latter
pictured the beauties of the hereafter and
it,ld him he would find eternal happiness.
I'm satisfied of that" the prisoner re-
spGrdcd and l know my troubles will soon
De over"
Like most other murderers. Burge said
nothing about the woman he killed. nor did
lie leave any message for his parents or
other relatives.
All the time the evangelist was with and
looking after the condemned man he eX-
crrcd his influence over him TO keep him
quiet and prevent him from becoming ex-
cited Yesterday afternoon the murderer
started to joke with his spiritual adviser.
bat the latter quickly checked him, telling
him The time for levity had passed.
II was recalled by the evangelist that the
mention Of mother at a Sunday meeting
e short while ago had so excited Burge that
IL became almost frantic and caused con-
siderable trouble. and for this reason he
purpOsely refrained from referring to the
mother of the prisoner.
Warden Harris not certain OF the
conduct of Burge. and as a precautionary
measure he had a man put the death
watch The presence of the death watch in
the corridor during the night seemed to an
roy him two nights ago. and he requested
him to withdraw in order that he might get
sleep.
During the morning hours today Burge
and his spiritual adviser engaged in prayer
and the singing of hymns, the condemned
man seeming especially fond of the hymn
over Deaths Sea.
Story of the Crime.
The crime for which Burge paid the ex-
IRENE penalty OF the law was wife muir
der His wife. Daisy Burg. had beer
compe.led to leave him because of I'll treat
trent and she had gone 10 work to earn her