The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-08-12
LAST NIGHT IN DEATH HOUSE.
Experiences as Related by Roland Is.
Molineux, Who Was Released.

electrOcuted a few days ago IN the
death chamber at Sing Sing prison.
Roland B. MolineuX was tried Tor
murder, convicted and spent several
months in the death house, an occu-
pant of one of the little cells where
Becker spent his nnal hours of life.
Molineux wrote of his experiences
there in a book, The Room With
the Little Door," published by Dill
lingham. He gives this description
of a mans last day and night; the
few remaining hours before the lit
tie door opens to admit him to the
execution chamber:
There are unwritten laws and can
ons for all important occurrences IN
the death chamber. | do not mean
the prison rules; but the way we
have of doing things. For instance,
the new arrival, after he has passed
through all formalities at the officials
hands, and they are many. is initiated
by "us'' on the first night passed IN
our society.
This is an ancient and honorable
custom, and like all limitations. Sc
cret. These fixed ceremonies occur
all through his long and brutal life IN
the death chamber. Long, for even
a short stay in it makes him old;
brutal, because his punishment is
death. Is that not enough? And to
add thereto years of solitary contlne-
ment is to kill him not once, but over
and over again. The system is all
wrong. Oh, the years in the death
chamber. The loneliness, the quiet.
He'll must be quiet place.
When at last it is drawing to a
close, when the governor has refused
to interfere, the officials proceed IN
this manner: On Saturday the for
tunate ONE on stepping from his
bath is ordered into new cell-the
one next to the little door leading
to the execution chamber. Here he
receives everything new; new bed
ding, new clothes from head to foot,
and then his knickknacks, pipe, to-
bacco, boxes, books. and the package
of letters from home, ragged and
blurred from reading and re-reading;
all have been carefully searched. He
receives something else, for this
change in itself is his notice that one
week from the following Monday he
will be moved again. No questions
are ever asked: he has seen it all be-
fore; but should he ask, the only re-
ply will be 81 don't know"
From that moment a certain un-
written etiquette among us is never
violated. His own way in everything,
as far as we can possibly comprehend
it, is our law Does he ask for
song or story. his demand is acquiesc-
ed with at once. Will he play check
ers? He may choose his opponent,
and he will always win. We send
him our oranges, the top layer from
the box of cigars one has purchased.
We do anything, everything, we can
to please him. Has there been a
quarrel between him and another, it
is completely forgotten. On his part
he must make the ghastly regulation
Jokes during the week. These are
two in number, one with the keeper
about the new suit of clothes: Il sup
pose you will be wearing this week
after next" Number two is with the
barber: Don't forget to cut my
hair short on top" From now on the
death watch" 1.-TWO keeperS) sits in
front of his cage every night. During
this week occurs the greatest horror
we are called upon to bear, i. e.. to
hear the last farewells of our COM
panion to mother, wife. sister, or
child. While listening to their cries
we anticipate the agony in store for
those we love. My heart bleeds
when l remember what heard in the
death chamber 1t is unspeakable.
! cannot write of it.
Then comes the last night. Every
thing must be done very exactly now.
Our code prescribes for everything;
nothing must be omitted, no custom
may be violated. The early evening
passes as usual. Generally he asks
for songs, perhaps he will sing one
himself. That is as it may be. But
a. midnight the last rites among us
of the death chamber take place. The
keeper comes to my cell carrying,
perhaps. the little paper box my de-
parting friend has kept his tobacco
in so long: one that he made and
decorated himself.
Keep that to remember me by l
hear from the direction of the little
door.
Thank you," reply.