Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-01-14
Smith Sentenced.

Warden GAMBLER a0d Omcers hs@le'l
and Sampson went 20 the court house
of Alexandria county this morning for
the purpose of conducting Henry Smith,
the last of the four negroes convicted OF
participating 10 the murder oil Walter r.
schultz, TO this city. At l0:4O they sp'
pesred 10 the Corporation court room
with the convicted man and placed him
in the dock. u,
The court was subsequently called to
order whon Judge Barley, addressing
smith. asked him il he withdrew his ap-
neal for an srrest of judgment and a new
trial.
Smith replied that that matter was 10
the hands of bis attorneys.
Mr.. F. P. Russell, one Of his counsel,
arose and stated that Smith bad made a
abatement to hin aud had been eau
toned against saying anything to Others;
but the prisoner had subsequently, told
stories to others. Mr.. Russell, how
ever, said he wss still prepared to DO
what he could for him.
The Judge said Smith in a letter sent
him had renowned the motion for 40
arrest OF judgment and new trial.
Mr.. Brumback, one Of the counsel for
Smith, said the motion made after the
Jury had returned their verde, was 10
the interest of the client, and counsel
had done all 10 their power. II Smith,
however, did not desire new trial, bis
couosel would not insist upon 1t.
The Judge said he had decided to over
rule the motion, and be ordered Smith
to stand up, and he was asked II be had
anything to say 10 show why sentence
should not be passed upon.
Smith stood and substantially slated
what was printed in bis confession puo-
lished In the Gazstte on Wednesday.
he reiterated that Chief Goods and
Officer Sampson we're responsible for bis
commission OF perjury, and If time was
given him be could bring forward facts
to prove his charge. he again pro-
clsiued the innocence of the three men
now in the penilentiary as we'll IS bis
own. and said be did not know who
killed Schdl z. He went on to say that
It was better for him to die than TO al
low three innocent men to be electro
cuted. Smith was earnest in his appeal
to the court to see that he WAS not
lynched be VAS ready to be electro.
cuted, but did not want his body torn
to pieces. He appealed TO God to wit
ness that he was innocent Of murder, al
though he bad committed perjury. he
repeated his charges against Ohief
Goods and Officer Simpson and turn
ing to the latter, who stood near,
said be could look him in the face
and reiterate all he had previously I'D,
Smith said he wanted q chance to prove
bis innocence. BE did not ask freedom.
as he had given up all, not dreadiDg
electrocuiion but having a horror OF
lyucbiog.
Judge Barley interrupted Smith by
telling hm he would be protected from
violence, and although Smith seemed
anxious to keep on talking, the judge
pronounced sentence as follows:
The crime of which you have been con.
victed was one Of the most cold blo0ded and
dsstarily murders ever perpetraled IN the
criminal annals Of this country. Thirty-six
men as good citizens as are within the con-
fnes of this state or elsewhere, as good
Jurors as ever sat in jury box, have largely,
upon your statement Of this crime convicted
three men OF being implicated with you IN IT.
Twelve other jurors standing equally high in
ar.fa hQxT Nn
guilty. The crime itself was revolving and
horrible in its details, but TO this you have
add ID perjury. ana from your recent state
ment have shown that you carry within you
heart as hard and as sinful and as black as
the crime itself which you have committed,
and for which | am about to sentence you. A
case compara1l to this in all its narrowing
details and surrounding circumstances has
probably never before been known to history
and deeper and more cOnsummate VI ain
than you never faced a court of justlca This
is the first case in all my experience where IN
passing the death sentence ] have not bad
sincere regret | cannot say that IN this case
1t is, therefore the senten g OF this court that
YOU be taken to the Jail at Fairfax county 4,
Va where you Will be confined unit taken
TO the state penitentiary house Of this stats
under the law, and then cOnfioed therein IN.
Ill Friday February Is, 1910, when you Will
! be taken to the death chamber thereof, and
electrocuted until you are dead, dead, dead,
| and may God have mercy on your soul.
At the conclusion Of the sentence
Smith grinued and said, "rbauk you"
The prisoner vas then removed from
the court room and subsequently with
the officers 10 charge of him boarded an
electric train at the corner OF King and
Royal streets snd wss soon cut of the
ty on bis wsy TO the Fairfax county
iail. 10 the few Lninu es be remsined at
the corner q number Of persons gathered
to see the prisoner Of.
While in the sts.iOn house Smith tod
Mayor Psf that during his confinement
10 jail be bad q caPper aud messenger
Who kept him posted as to everything
that was going on in his case.
Smith issued another atement today.