The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-14

deputy and the floor opened under
Midgets' feet.
Mishap Unexpected.
Warden Chandler was much surprised
when the body touched the ground Ex-
ira precautions had been taken TO guard
against this mishap. A pit two feet deem
was dug Immediately under the trap
door. but the doomed mans feet touch
ed the bottom of the excavation.
Midgets was executed upon a borrow
ed scanold. The gallows was built a
year and a half ago by Alexandria
county officials, and was 10 be used in
hanging John Wright a negro convicted
OF criminal assault nea- Luna Park.
Wright'S sentence was committed 10 life
impriSOnmeut.
This is the first legal hanging in Alex
andria since 1872. In April, 1897, how
ever, a negro was lynChed, and in Sep
TENDER two years later another negro
was dragged from the jail, lynched on
an electric light pole one block away,
and Tiddled with bullets.
In Row at Circus.
The crime for which George AIidge4s
was hanged took 0lace In upper King
street. opposite IN old fair grounds,
on the night OF Jrday. October %,
1906
The trouble originated in a sideshow
Of a circus. Midgets, in company with
his partner, Robinson, were in the side
show IN company with two ColOred WOm-
en-, who claimed 10 be their wives
NIdgets and Robinson quarreled and
finally became so disorderly that the
manager of the circus called upon Po-
liceman Andrew J. Nicholson. who was
in the sideshow with his little son.
10 arrest them.
Policeman Nicholson arrested Robin
son and turned Midgets over TO Thomas
Mcqueen, a citizen. who was standing
by. Immediately after the men had
been arrested the two women began 10
attack Policeman Nicholson, beating
him severely. MidgetS had In the mean
time drawn a pistol and pointing II at
McQuCn had made him release him. He
then attacked Nicholson, hitting him
over the head with the butt of his
pistol Nicholson. unable 10 stand the
combined attack Of the two women and
Midgetss released his hold on Robinson
and the four ran across the fair
grounds. the men firing back as they
ran.
Police Force on Hunt.
After the attack upon Nicholson. the
whole police force was called out TO
search for his assailants. Policeman
Frederick J. Garvey, having been told
that a cOlored man answering the de-
scrlption of one Of the men wanted
was in the Hotel Jackson in upper King
street. stationed himself so he could
watch the door Of the hotel. Presently
he saw AIidgets emerge from the door
of the hotel and walk down King
street until he came to a boiler which
Was standing on the pavement nearly
opposite the old fair grounds. Here
Midgets stopped and waited in the
shadow of the boiler.
Policeman Garvey walked up to where
Midgets was standing and asked him
if he did not board at the Hotel Jack
son MidgetS replied that ne did not.
well, come with me 10 the hotel and
We Will see" said iiarVey-
just at this moment Charles T. Smith,
a son OF Lieut.. James Smith, who was
assisting the police in the search for
NicholsOn's assailant. walked up and
placed his hand on Midgets' shoulder.
Aiidgets, who had All the time he was
talking to Carney mad his right hand
in his coat pocket, wheeled, and plac-
ing 4 pistol in Smiths face, fired.
Smith fell over dead, striking Carney
and knocking a pistol from GarVey. S
hand. Before GarVey could regain his
pistol Midgets had fed up King street.
followed by a crowd of persons and
several shots were fired at him, one OF
which struck his leg. Midgets jumped
4 fence AMI escaped. He made his way
Harrisburg He was taken 10 Fredericks-
burg Va. Tor safe keeping and was
brought To this city under military
guard.
The negro was tried in this city and
convicted OF the murder and was sen
fenced 10 be hanged, on May a. 1901
The court Of appeals granted him a
stay OF execution until January Il. 1905.
Just two days before this date Cover
nor swanson granted him a reprieve un-
III February II,