Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-14

LOwden TO-DAY for reprieve in
behalf OF Will Carter, the Rock
Island Negro sentenced to be
hanged tomorrow for murder.
The governor declined TO grant
the reprieye.
q have told the whole truth; l am
innocent, but l am ready to CO."
Thus spoke Will Carter. condemned
the murder of Peter Jelvek, in the
presence of Rev. r. C. Waters of Dav-
EXPORT. after brief consultation with
the minister in county Jail this morn
ing. Carter uttered the words in a
low tone and with little expression.
Carter made the declaration as
Sheriff George H. Richmond approach
ed him to read the death warrant at
lO30 in the turkeys Office of the Jail.
Sheriff Richmond opened by say
Ing, Il have an unpleasant duty
10 perform this morning. 1t is GUS
tom, even if it may not be duty un-
der the law
In the presence of Carter. the coun-
selling minister, the turkeys and dep
uty sheriffs, the sheriff then read the
warrant prepared by George W.Gamble,
clerk of the circuit court. Folding the
document, he directed few remarks
10 the condemned man.
an performing these duties con-
tinued the sheriff, I'VE want you to
know that there is no animus on our
part These are orders of the court.
We can say that your conduct as
prisoner has been beyond criticism
II you have any wishes to be fulfilled
you are at liberty to make them known
and we will grant them in so far as it
is within our power. I mean that il
YOU desire any particular kind of food
or if you wish cigars or other sup
plies,, you may have them If they can
be procured"
"You have heard the. death war
rant. do you still say you are lnno-
cent?" inquired Rev Waters, turning
quickly to Carter.
II have nothing further to say,
Carter said, with a significant wave OF
his hand.
Then let us kneel in prayer" sait
the minister He and Carter knelt al
their chairs. and the minister prayer
assuming that Carter was limo
cent and that the guilty man l:
free in the community. He prayed tha
the conscience of the guilty one shoult
so torture him that he will come for
ward and confess to the crime 1o
which an innocent man is to b.
hanged
Rev. C. R. Waters, pastor of TIL
Bethel African Methodist church o
Davenport, will administer the sacra
ment between the hours of and S:3
tomorrow morning, Carter having beef
reared in the Methodist faith. Assist
ing Rev Waters will be Rev. }. NJ
Whitfield of Moline and Rev. Guy +
Sanders of Rock Island.
GallOws Tested.
The erection of the stockade an
gallows, Just to the east of the coun
~ Jail. was completed last evening
The stockade is 20 feet high and
built abutting the Jail wall. so tina
Carter cannot be seen entering tn
stockade by those from the inside. Tn
gallows is covered with roof, S
that nothing can be seen from above
The trap was tested this morning wit
sack of sand, twice the weight G
the condemned man, and found to b
in perfect working order. 1t is Gus
tomary TO construct the trap so tha
three ropes are pulled, but only on
springs the trap. and only the cor
tractor knows which one that is. In
loop Of rope is so arranged that
large knot is left in the back OF tn
neck. This knot causes the pressur
when the trap is sprung, which wi
break the neck of the condemne
man.
All arrangements for the eXecutio
have been completed by Sheriff Rlcl
mond. Cards of admission have bee
mailed TO IS witnesses, to make ce
tain that IL will be there. In addltlo
to the sheriff and his aids, the mil
listers and two or three physician
and one representative from each
the newspapers will be present.
Sheriff Richmond today made sp
cial request that the public renal
away from the court house tQmorro
morning. Nothing can be seen fro
the exterior of the stockade and 1t WI
De useless to be present.
F. ". Sporrey, former special raj
road agent, will be on the death watt
over Carter tonight. 1t is customal
70 appoint some person to keep
watch the entire night preceding II
execution. in cases of this kind.
Final Appeal to Governor.
Following action taken at col
ference of Negroes in Rock lslai
Tuesday night q local attorney wi
ieft yesterday for Springfield on bh
mess, was asked by delegation
me eolored people to intercede In 0
half OF Carter today. to ask the go
efn0r to commute the sentence. III
attorney promised that he would e
neayor TO take the matter up WI
governor Lowden and 1t was expect
nat final plea to prevent the han
aug would be made to the CHIEF
ecutiye OF the state today.
Little hope was held that the la
appeal would avail results inasmu'
the governor last Saturday, up'
recommendation Of the board OF
roles and DardOns which thorough