The Washington times., 1908-02-14
HIDGETS HANGS,
PAYING PENALTY
FOR KILLING SMITH

With nerve OF iron, ana a protest OF
innocence on his lips. George AIidgets
colored. was swung into eternity in the
Alexandra Jail yard at 6:45 o'clock this
morning. Death from str9ngulation Te-
suited twelve minutes later.
Owing TO slack rope it was necessary
10 hang the slayer by hand. Too much
rope was allowed by Jhe jailer. and
when the negro's body shot down
through the trap il struck tae ground
instead Of stopping with "a jerk.
Pulled Body From Ground.
As the negro writhCd and twisted OIL
the erounI, with his hands and feet
bound with thongs and tine black cap
fastened around his neck. several men
sprang 10 the other end OF the rope and
pulled il up until Midgets' body cleared
the ground After dangling in mid4il'
twelve minutes the body was cut GowH
By the jaiIer and examined b. DIS.
Moore Warfeld. Miller. and Gibson.
The body was turned over 10 Under
taker Demaine and will probably be
sent to Charlottesville. Va, this evening.
There it will be taken in charge by the
University OF Virginia officials and dis
sected by medical students.
Protests Innocence.
Asked upon the scaffoId If he had
anything 10 say before expiating his
crime. AIidgets, firm, resolute ans
strong hearted to the last, replied:
Il know my life is done. 1 have
tried to prove to the people of Alex
andria that / am INNOCENT but nave
failed. I think that they are carrying
out an unjust deed. I pray that God
may have mercy on any soul"
The doomed man spent his last night
conversing with Edgar Padgett. his
death watch. and praying. About 30
o'clock he fell into 2 heavy sleep.
Awakened at o'clock he was asked
what he wished for his last meal.
Nidgats preferred the regu' alton con
demned mans breakfast. consisting of
four eggs four pieces OF ham, feur
biscuits and a pitcher of coffee. He
seemed to enjoy his last repast and
Immediately asked for a cigarette, which
he lighted and smoked TO the roots"
The Rev Alexander u. Truatt, spir-
itual adviser to the doomed negro. ar
rived while MiGgets was eating his
breakfast and remained with him until
the law was satisfied. Two COloTeG
women, inmates of jail, gathered near
AllQEFlC cen anu sans ~ liiall ana tie
preacher until the execution.
Showed Iron Nerve.
At $50 o'clock Warden Chandler read
the death warrant to Midgets, who
was unmoved and smoked while listen
ing to the order for his life When the
warden had finished MiSgets was asked
il he was ready.
Yes" he replied. I'm ready"
The death march then began at 6.S6.
Midgets' arms were strapped behind his
back and leather thongs were fastened
about his legs. Warden Chandler
headed the solemn procession He was
followed by Turnkey Padgett behind
whom MIdgets and the Rev. Truatt
walked with bowed hetCs. About 100
otner persons followed
Midgets ascended the scafold stems
unassisted. Reaching the platform he
turned and faced the crowd assembled
to see him hanged. Several details of
the execution were then completed. and
Warden Chandler asked the doomed
man if he had anything to say
After making his remarks M.dgstsi
shook hands with his spiritual aLVisei
The nocse was then fastened around his
neck. FadSett threw the black cap over
the slayers head. Warden Chandler
waved his hand as a signal TO q hidden
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