Evening star., 1912-09-11
Andrew Gonzales Probable
Subject of CIemency.
PRESIDENT TO INTERFERE
Respite or Communication of Sentence
Expected.
CONDEMNED MAN INDIFFERENT
Was Convicted Of Killing His Wife
in July, 1911-Made No
Denial.

Andrew Gonzales, who was sentenced
to pay the death penalty day after to-
morrow for the murder of his wife.
Madeline Gonzales, the latter part of
July of last year by slashing her with q
razor. may escape the gallows. Warden
Zinkhan, who is charged with the duty
of making effective the sentence of the
court, said this afternoon he had been
assured, although not officially, that the
President will either commute the SEN
tence of death or grant a respite.
Gonzales unlike most murderers in
whose cases appeals for executive Glenn
ency are made. intimates that he does
not desire a postponement of the hang
ing. The day he killed his wife he begged
to be executed without delay. and since
that time there has been absolutely no
change i'm his demeanor.
I'm waiting for the thirteenth" he has
said to the guards and others who have
conyersed with him.
Gonzales was declared sane by a jury at
the time a plea of insanity was made by
counsel appointed by the court. but
some persons who come in contact with
him frequently who believe his mind Is
affected.
NOOlly IAC SAAAASs
Gonzales went to the home of his
father-in-law, called his wife from the
house and killed her. He made no effort
to escape. admitted to the police that he
had committed the deed and said he was
ready and anxious to pay the penalty.
Take me out and hang me-" he said
to the police Il killed Madeline, and
what's the use of having any trouble
about it,
At police headquarters the next morn
ing he repeated the story of the murder
without the slightest show Of feeling.
seeming to think he had done what he
had a right to do.
When arraigned in the Criminal Court
the prisoner quickly responded to the
charge made, admitting he was guilty
and seeming to be anxious to have the
case settled without the delay that IS
usual in murder cases. When sentenced
he voiced his displeasure at the execu-
tion being fixed for SO late date.
Sane or insane, Gonzales was able to
watch the calendar closely and count the
days he had to live. More than once he
asked if a change could not be made SO
that he would be able to leave this world
on a date much earlier than that fixed
by the court.
The condemned man, it is said. in
variably sleeps without removing his
clothing. taking them off only when the
prison guards take him to the bathroom.
Most of his time is spent in crouching
position in his cell. He has told the Rev.
John Roberts, the colored evangelist, that
he needed no spiritual adviser. He acts
as if he believed himself of much greater
Importance and possessed of more power
than the regularly ordained ministers Of
the Gospel
Claim of Nationality Disputed.
Gonzales has claimed he was Cuban,
but Cesar A. Barranco. vice consul of
Cuba, accredited to Washington, follow
ing a personal investigation conducted
by order of the Cuban minister, has sent
statement to the District Commission
ers to the effect that Gonzales is not a
Cuban, and requesting the local authori-
ties to use theid influence to correct the
impression that the condemned man is
native of that country.
According to the Cuban official, Con-
zales' mother was born in Jamaica. but
the prisoner Is native of South Caro-
lima, and not only never has been in Cuba,
but cannot speak the Spanish language.
1t is charged that he adopted the name
Gonzales In order to prevent the local
authorities from learning anything about
his past record.