Cañon City record., 1910-02-17
MAN WHO IS TO Be HANGED #
At THE PEnITENTIARY HERE
IN APRIL A GREAT READER

a
sentence in the state penitendary
here for killing George Kerber. a COM
panion, near Johnstown, Weld county,
on the 26th of last October, is a Ger
man OF scholarly attainments and 4
great reader of books. Peil has been
called the "Friendless Fellow" BY
some of the convicts since his incar-
ceration In prison for the reason that
very few people have called there to
make inquiries about him. Although he
reads and talks the English language
with considerable difficulty he is q
master OF his native tongue. being
able TO read. write and speak II with
great fluency. indeed. with almost
classic exactness.
Since Peil's confinement ic the pdS
itentiary here he has read all of a.
German books It has been possible for \
him to procure. His instincts are
asceiic. rather than social, and he
seems to prefer the companionship Of
books to the fellowship of those abou'
him He is a member of the LutheSEnD
church and is believer In the Bible
and In the great religious and moral
principles II teaches. Rev Sparks. pas
tor of Trinity Lutheran church OF this
city. has made several visits TO Peil
in his cell during the last few months
and has taken him many German
newspapers, books and magazines to
read and has talked to him OF the fate
to which he has been condemned. He
remarked recently TO Rev. Sparks that
he enjoyed German literature OF any
kind. but liked history. philosophy and
theology better than fiction and the
lighter vein OF writing.
Peil is No. 7642 on the prison regis
ter. and will be hung for his crime
sometime during the FIRST week In
April unless Governor shafroth COM
mutes his sentence 10 life imprison-
ment. or grants his n stay o fexecu-
ton. He has stated TO Rev. Sparks thsf
whiskey is the cause of his downfall
and that he would not now be occupy
ing felon's cell II he had let strong
drink alone. He says Kerber. the MAJ
he killed. was his friend and that
while both OF them were drunk they
engaged In n night which resuiteN H.
the death of Kerber and the brandl5,
OF himself ~ n murderer. He says thu
Keroer struck him in the face With Q
heavy board and that In n moment Of
drunken frenzy he stabbed his assail
ant TO death with n knife After NJ
conviction and sentence to death a.
by his attorney. but the matter was
denied by the Judge with whom n
was filed on the ground that he had
been given a fair and impartial hear
ing and had failed to show that there
were any eItenuating circumstances
connected with the crime.
Peil is not kept in solitary con1ne-
ment. as was formerly the case with
prisoners condemned 10 be hung. but
occupies n cell but little. II any. less
cheerful than other prisoners He is
given an hours exercise in the corri-
dor of the cell house every morning
and permitted to walk around in the
prison yard under guard for short
time every afternoon.
Warden lyman believes in extend
ing TO the convicts humane treatment
when they are worthy OF IL. They must
obey the rules Of the prison without
question. and in doing 80 are assured
OF square deal" Rev. Sparks Of this
city. DR.. Jaooby OF Denver and other
Lutheran ministers have written Gov.
ernor Shafroth in Peil's behalf. but
thus far no intimation has been,
ceived from the chief executive as
what action. ~ any. he will take in the
matter.