The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-02
WAITE PASSES INTO
DEATH CELL SMILING
Sentenced to Die in Week Of,
July 10, After Telling
Court He's Sorry.
CHEERFUL ON THE TRAIN

With his face wreathed In smiles and
asserting that he had given the public
all he wanted to say concerning his
past and the murder Of his fath%er-in-law
and mother-in-law. DIR. Arthur Warren
Waite entered the death cell block at
Sing Sing prison yesterday afternoon
shortly before 9 o'clock. A few hours
before he had been sentenced to die In
, the week OF July 10 next by Justice
] Shearn. before whom he was convicted.
| An appeal will be taken. which will act
as a stay for at least a few montha
, With all the court formalities out Of
| the way waite made one Of the most
, interesting statements ever uttered by a
prisoner about to be sentenced to death.
II was dramatic only in ITS simplicity.
Having been told that he had the right
TO address the court. he made a fervent
appeal TO be permitted to die for the
crime lie had committed. He publicly
declared that he had done a great wrong
to some OF those most closely associated
with him. and thanked the court and
Assistant District Attorney Brothers for
the manner In which the proceedings had
been conducted.
on the train tina, took him to Sins
Sing Waite appeared cheerful. but 1t was
noticeable that when he heard the date
for his execution pronounced by Justice
Shearn his face flushed, and as he asked
IL he had the right to talk In court his
color turned to deathl!ke whi,eness.
After arriving AZ Oss!ning no time was
lost in getting Waite and Leo James. a
robber to whom he was handcuffed, into
an automobile, and they were rushed
to the prison. Five minutes after enter.
Ing the prison gates Waite was taken
TO tho nrispn harher usin ahayaA hiyY
and cut his hair. and then he was given
the number OF 67.2Sl.
As the dentist entered the death house
he gave as his last message that he die
not want to make II appear that he had
got religion, but he admitted that IL had
made Il strong impression on him.
I'D better not say too much on THU
subject said he, because l may bs
misunderstood. ] am going TO try and
prove what ! say Is true. am repentan'
for the crimes / have committed and
am willing to pay the laws penalty. JUS
now | am as happy as ] was yesterday
and | can see no possible change II
myself
on leaving Deputy Sheriff Thomas +
Burke. who took him to Sing Sing, h,
asked that three letters ne carried In HI!
pocket be posted IN the nearest mail DO,
In New York. These letters were ad
uIsSSeu W III WIG, 'idIa u 4 WIN
as he addressed her Percy Peck, he
brother. and Miss c. A. Peck. care OF tn
METROPOLITAN Safe Deposit Company. II
East Fourteenth street. The letters TO hi!
wife and her brother were sent TO 1ran'
Rapids. Mich. although Mrs. Waite ha
gone to visit friends in Pennsylvania.
In addressing the court before h
heard his doom Waite said
II would jus, like TO say that I woul'
I sf.- A. 49, Co.. shA ASn, -,
and expeditions manner in which tn
case has been conducted and I woul,
like TO express my appreciation Of IN
conscientiousness with which The pros
ccuting attorney. Mr.. Brothers. has on
deavored to do his duty TO society an,
also 10 be fair 10 me In this matter. An
, ! would like to say that my counsA
Mr.. Deuel.. has been in every respec
kind and above reproach and has bee
sincere in his belief in this case.
And then I would like to say. II
may. that I know ! carnot undo IN
/, wrong | have done. | realize fully wha
. il, IL. To some % III" people the wron
, IS far beyond asking forgiveness 70
a That would be humanity impossible.
, would simply like to say that ! am gla'
very, very glad. 10 give my body In ~
piation. II IL may. in any small degree
make up or rectify IN their minds tn
hurt which I have done them. I on!
. wish | had more than my body 70 Civ
. and | hope that my soul may 60 on an
serve hereafter those whom I have I,
= jured. II there he any whom l. have ~
SO grievously injured, ! hope that the
will forgive me,
. II am thoroughly sorry. thank yo'
: That Is all"
Justice Shearn then read the dea,
warrant.