Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-06-16
LIFEFOR RUSSO,
PRISONER GLAD
Smiles When Told by Warden
Crawford Death Sentence
is Committed
"IF I'VE ERRED IT'S ON
MERCY'S SIDE" GOVERNOR

All right. good said Carmine Russo
with a happy smile at the workhouse
yesterday afternoon, when Chief War
den Leonard Crawford of that institu-
tion told him Governor Pennewill had
commuted his sentence to life impris-
onment
Russo was sentenced to be hanged
for the murder Of William J. Kidd and
his execution was to have taken place
tomorrow.
The warden was apprised Of the gov
ernors action yesterday afternoon but
he did not receive official notification
OF the Communication until early this
afternoon, when a special messenger
from the governor left the papers at
the workhouse.
/ Russo was again informed Of his
good fortune by Carmine DiAare
policeman who went to the worNhouse
\ this morning to impart the information
to his fellow countryman.
Warden Crawford gave the news 10
the prisoner yesterday afternoon
| through an Italian p4isoner, who acted
as interpreter Russo had but little
to say but it was plainly evident that
he was very happy "An right, good
he exclaimed with a smile. He then
turned away.
For week or more Russo has been in
a sort Of stupor and despite efforts made
to impress on him the position he was in,
he turned a deaf ear 10 his advisors and
friends At times he would laugh hysteri-
cany and then he would suddenly lapse
into a morose condition. He has spoken
but little since his Incarceration.
Warden Crawford had the subpoenas for
rtfffv a
up and ready to serving the first thing this
morning. They were not served however
and the scaffold upon which Russo was
to have ended his days will remain un-
, disturbed in the place it was stored fol
lowing the execution Of the negro Joiner
sometime ago.
On Mercy's Side Says Governor.
If I've erred, it's on mercy's side. f"
said Governor Pennewill to-day.
After he had signed and despatched Rus.
SOS Communication to Warden Crawford. at
! Greenbank, Governor Pennewili said r
I'm explanation Of my action il
committing the sentence Of Russo ts
life Imprisonment. / have thie to -sav
I Since / have been Governor uf this
Stote I have had to deal with nothing
that has given me more worry and
uneasiness of mind, than the consider
alton of this case. During my long
deliberation over the matter, and even
I now, ] am undecided as to what should
have been best to do. That being the
case, ! felt that if I should err at
. all it should be on the side Of mercy
2 Friends Wanted Man Saved.
/. The 400 citizens Of Wilmington. in
& cluding members Of the Society Of
! Friends won in their campaign against
: the execution of a man.
r Governor Pennewill, after long de-
< liberation, commuted sentence in the
, case to imprisonment for life, in ac-
B cordance with the recommendation of
: the state Board Of Pardons
! The. necessary papers We're not sent
n to the Greenbank workhouse during
+ the evening, but were sen forward by
messenger to arrive there early to-day.
Governor Pennewill conferred with
Secretary Smithers about the Russo
4 case and other State matters at Green
S wood. his home, nearly an day.
f The element Of premeditation was
+ the principal factor in Russo's case.
I and while the Italian orders and many
h humanitarians We're urging the gov
e ernor to commute. other persons urged
the carrying out of the death penalty.