Evening journal., 1915-07-28
Sheppard Guilty.
Gets Death Sentence
Crowd at Denton Bows to
Majesty of the Law After
Verdict is Returned
COUNTY PEOPLE
ARE SATISFIED

DENTON, Md, July 2s.-Aloysius
Sheppard. colored, who. on July 10,
criminally assaulted Miss Mildred
Clark. Is years old, daughter OF
Fnoch Clark, a farmer, near Fed
eralsburg. was last night in the Cir
cult Court for Caroline county al
Denton found guilty of the crime and
was sentenced to be hanged. Shep-
pard's trial began Monday morning
and the judgment of the court was
pronounced at S.22 o'clock last night.
Before announcing the judgment
and sentence of the court, Judge Con-
stable addressed the spectators, con-
graduating them on the excellent or
der that had marked the trial and ex
pressing the hope that during the
rest Of the proceedings. they would
conduct themselves with the same de-
,orum. He told them they had not
broken down, yet reminded them OF
the orderly manner in which the
courts Of Maryland are conducted and
warned them that the dignity of the
court would have to be upheld, and
hat any demonstration on their part
would be met by severe consequences.
The motion of Attorney Lewis, coun-
sci for the defense, that the prison
sr's alleged confession be stricken
rom the record had been granted.
Judgment of the Court
judge Constable then declared that
the verdict of the court was that
Sheppard is guilty and asked Attor-
ley Lewis whether he mad any objec-
lion to offer why the sentence Of the
-, 81 - Nv
Lewis replied that he did not feel un-
der the circumstances that a state
nent from him was necessary.
Judge Constable then asked Shep-
pard whether he had any reason to
offer why sentence should not be
pronounced.
The prisoner replied in the mega
tive The court then read the charge
and said
"You elected to be tried by the
Judges. We have paid strict atten-
ton to all that has been said. We
have taken into consideration the
statements of witnesses and yourself
and we have sifted the evidence fol
and against you. We have ruled out
the confession credited to you. The
court has arrived at its conclusion
solely by the evidence presented.
1T is not a pleasant task to i'm
pose the punishment which must Il
this crime, and that punishment il
death There is not much l can say
TO you except 10 advise you that yol
have yet time to prepare yoursel
during your last few days on earth
There is no use rehearsing the evi
dence adduced at this trial. You
days will be shortened, and / advis
you to seek the counsel of som
Of the holy ministers of the Gospe
you are to be returned to the Caro-
line County Jail. and there confne
until such time as the Governor Q
this State shall issue your death war
rant. and the sentence of this cour
is that you shall be hanged by tn
neck until you are dead. And ma
God have mercy on your soul"
Temple Acts Quickly.
When the court finished, a fey
spectators clapped their hands
Sheriff Temple instantly rushed I
that part of the room whence tn
noise came and demanded to kno1
who caused it. Nobody volunteers
the information. Judge Constabl
called 10 the sheriff and told hiT
TO overlook the offense, If It war
not repeated. The crowd then file
out 70 the Court House green, wher
general satisfaction at the outcom
Of the trial was expressed. Every
body spoke in commentator of th
court and of the States Attorney. TIL
crowd soon melted away, leavin
Denton as peaceful and serene as
May morning.
Sheriff Temple took his prisoner
the Denton Jail, to be kept there unit
the day of execution. The prison wi
be guarded for the present by aboi
80 deputies though the precautio
seems unnecessary, as nobody is di
posed 10 interfere with the orderl
execution of the sentence of II
court
The last legal hanging in Dento
occurred in 1922.
No Excitement
The second day Of the trial was NJ
marked by the excitement that VIZ
created Monday, when Sheppard W;
arraigned The crowd was compari
lively small. The first witness Of u
day was Francis o. Hubbard. of Fee
eralshurg, who elected the confessic
from the negro on the morning thi
he was captured and within a fe
minutes after he had been safe
placed behind the bars of the Dentc