The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-12
ISAAC GOES TO
SCAFFOLD DEATH
SINGING AHYMN
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the dark of Just before dawn, both
OF these prisoners, Snowden and
Evans, hid under their blankets ana
held their pillows tight over their
heads. They did not want to see
Isaac prepared for death. even though
each of them soon must undergo tne
same preparation
The hanging was Annapolis nrst
conservation execution" No ex-
pense was incurred that was not es-
sential. The custom OF building a
new gaIlows was not followed ana
the old gallows that has been stand
ing in the Jail yard for many months
was used. Sheriff BELLS did not even
buy q new rope, and no death ropes
were purchased. Isaac died In tne
clothes he wore the day he was locked
in the Jail.
Denied sIayinE Girl.
Isaac insisted to the very last that
he did not kill Miss Ebert, but had
gone to her assistance when she was
attacked by. two colored soldiers
This was his FIRST tale, and he after
ward denied It to the detectives ana
local officials. Later he revived II ana
had persisted in Il to the end.
In a statement which he dictated
to his spiritual adviser, the Rev.
BENJAMIN S. Holt, he said that he
knew that he was TO die and must
not 90 before God with . lie on his
lips, and that he did not XIII Miss
Ebert. He said the same thing In q
letter written to his mother yester-
day. Before the men and women who
have been faithful helpers to him In
his trouble, Isaac stood with folded
arms last night and said that as sure
as God was in heaven he had not COM
mitted murder.
COnfrAdIeted Self.
Isaac had at one time or another
denied every statement that he had
made. He had told any number Of
persons that there were no soldiers
there. He had even said that he hit
the woman with q stone, though later
he said that he threw It at one Of
the soldiers.
It is a strange case, and Il is hard
to account for the mans pose For
the last two days he had appeared to
be in a religious ecstacy, claiming
complete confidence In going to his
Maker. yet he insists that he never
said the things that he did say re-
peatedly. and that though he had
lived q bad life, he had not committed
the crime for which he was to pay
the penalty.
Sheriff BELLS wisely decided that
the execution would be completed at
an hour which would make II accom-
panied with as little excitement as
possible. Isaac was told to be ready
promptly in the morning. Up to 10
o'clock last night, the little band OF
men and women sang and prayed
with Isaac, who took a lively interest
in all that they did. They were led
by the Rev. Benjamin S. Holt and
Mrs George Boston
Three men and three women sat
before the cell In q narrow aisle.
while Isaac, with his chair tilted
back, faced them through the steel
bars. He Joined In the singing
heartily, sometimes standing up and
swaying to the music
1t was in an interval between the
singing that he called upon his Max
er to witness that he was not q
murderer.
For two hours or more after his
visitors had left, Isaac lay on his
couch restlessly. Then he dropped
into sleep and awakened q little after
4. His helpers were already there,
and for an hour the exercises OF theI
previous evening were continued.
There was enc, with the refrain Il
will be with him in the mansion b.
the sea-" and II was this that be
sang with the others, marching to the
scaffold, mounting the steps. and
even after the moose had been adj
justed.
- thE. -,o-,K,-- c-n..-tss r.rtt.
and Deputies Boone and Lee mount
ed the steps to the third tier where
Isaac was. The door Of his cell was
opened and Isaac stepped out, not q
word being said He wore q rough
suit without a coat and was shoeless.
His coat was put on him and his
arms strapped behind him
Then the black robe was adjusted
and white gloves put on his hands.
Isaac stood during this trying Pc
riod without a tremor. Only once
did he speak, and that was to an
swer mo sir in a firm voice when
Deputy Sheriff Boone asked him II
the straps hurt him
Took Eight Minutes.
There was some delay in adjusting
the shapeless robe, and the whole
procedure occupied eight oppressive
but Isaac helped as much as
he could and seemed perfectly at ease. |
Then the procession started. First
came Sheriff BELLS and then Deputy |
Boone, for only one could walk at a
time down the two flights OF narrow |
steps. The colored minister, Holt. |
followed; then Isaac and some depu- |
des and the other religious workers |
The party was singing Isaac's favor |
to hymn, and he was joining with |
hem. Through the lower corridor |
and INTO a short aisle leading to the |
back door they went and right from |
he door to the steps OF the scaffold. |
Isaac mounted them without hesita- |
Ion, and the cap which was attached to |
he gown was thrown over his head and |
he moose adjusted. Sheriff Bellies |
mounted the scahold with Isaac but |
anne down almost Immediately, the ad- |
ustments being made by Deputies |
Boone and Lee. who, with Holt, stayed |
N the platform until almost the last |
moment. As soon as the moose was In |
,lace, Deputy Lee signaled to Sheriff |
Bells, who stood at the foot OF the |
teps with his hands on the lever and |
'ulled 1t just two minutes after Isacc |
lad left the upper floor. All was handled |
and with as little Of the
'ruesome as possible.