Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-12-07
NEGRO To DIE IN
CHAIR ON FRIDAY
First Legal Electrocution
in Oklahoma Occurs
This Week.

Special to The World.
M'ALESTER, Dec. Sitting on a
concrete bunk in an isolated cell of
the state penltentlary rocking his
body to and fro to the accompani-
ment of a monOtonous moaning and
occasionally patting a foot in har-
mony with the weird rythm, Henry
hOOkman, the Mcintosh county negro
who was convicted May 20 last of the
murCcr Of Rich Hardin, white
farmer IS sorroWfully counting off
the hours until Friday morning OF
next week, when he is to pay the
penalty Of his crime by giving his life
In the electric Chair-the first victim
Of Oklahoma's new mode OF capital
punishment.
outside the notes of his death
song which, in the wilds of Africa,
could easily be mistaken for the chant
of jungle savage, not a sound es-
capes the condemned negro, He eats
sparugly OF the food that is placed In
his cell, but not until the guard has
disappeared. There is not a sign of
response when one calls to him
through the prison bars.
Never a Word.
Hes been doing that ever since he
| heard that the court Of appeals had
confirmed his sentence" said the
guard who patrols BOOkmau's cell
: wing That was on October II. So
far as the guards know, Bookman
hasn't spoken q word since his fate
was finally sealed TRUSTEES who arc
detailed to watch his cell tell the
Same story of this mOnotonous, word
less moaning.
OnCo Bookman attempted to com
{ ~ t..f. L.
of his blanket around his neck and
was tying the other to a bar in his
cell when convict Watchman noti-
fled prison officials and prevented
the self-slaughtor
Prison officials believe BOokman Is
feigning insanity There is q pro-
vision in the oklahoma statutes
which requires a postpOuement of ex-
eCutiOn in case there is reason TO be-
lieve that the defendant has become
insane, but such postponement can
only be made after a jury Of 2 men
has investigated the case at the in
stance Of officers Of the district court
No such investigation has been sug-
gcstcd in BoOllman's case, but those
who have been watching the negro
believe he Is hoping that his signs Of
insanity will afford him a final
chance for rcpricve.
AS the case now stands, only execu-
tive clemency can save the negro
from elcctrocution, and so far there
has been no indication from Governor
Williams that he will intervene.
At the penitcnuary preparations
are going forward for carrying out
the mandates of the last tribunal
The electric chair is in perfect work
, ing order Early next week Book
man will be placed in a death cell
where no will pass the last few days
before execution, and, unless reprieve
from the governor Is sent down, ar
ranEements will be made early In the
week for the attendance Of the neces-
sary witnesses and officials.
At the time Of an clectrOCution, the
law requires that, in addition to the
CXeCutiOuer, the warden OF the peni-
tCntiary, a physician, the county at
torney OF Pittsburg county and al
least - reputable citizens, TO act as
witnesses, shall be present. Ministers
not to exceed two may be in the room
As many as five relatives or friends
Of the defendant may attend, and, II
necessary, additional peace officers
may be in the room. No spectators
aside from those specified will be al
lowed