Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-03
LEM PRICE
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D rayer services shortly after $50. Rev
II. Y. Arnett, pastor Of Big Bethel
Church, held communion at 9.46. Cap
tain Roseman of the Volunteers Of Ameri-
ca was in attendance at the last services for
the condemned man.
LENS MEDITATION.
Last night Price handed the following
statement to Warden Pmmmer to be gwen
to the newspapers today:
"December 2, 1920.
Dear Warden: In the great journal OF
things happen under the sun by men not
thinking at the time, and we never look at
it until it is too late But the final test OF a
mans ability is responsibility If he don't
stand up for his rights, and live up To the
honesty as much as possible Although
have made my peace with God. and will
tell the world that am ready TO hive, and
/ hold nothing against no man, and also
thank these nice Christian people for
bringing me the word of God. To me they
fill my heart and soul with the spirit of
Salvation. But | really do hope that
every prisoner will live up TO the honesty
bv Mr.. Pltlmmer and Mrs. Plummer. Ii a
man ever did show his manhood, now Is
the time to show it for the people of the
lnStltutlOn. Dlu Hi lhttMtlii Gubt b@t'
and hope to meet all of you in glory
some sweet hour at rest.
"Lemuel 5. Price.
Please remember poor. old Lem,
never known TO do no body no harm before
now.
THE CRIME AND ESCAPE FROM PRISON.
Lem Price paid the penalty today for
shooting and killing Patrolman Thomas L..
Zebley. who had gone to house on East
Sixth street, near Church, November 13,
Of last wear, to arrest the Negro IN con-
nection with number Of robberies that
had been committed about the city. The
shooting occurred while Price was resist
ing arrest, several shots being fired
Patrolman Harry Pierce, who accom-
panied Zebley, was shot at the same time,
but recovered after being in the hospital
for some time. Immediately following &
the shooting Price together with his
brother, John, who was in the same room
with him at the time of the shooting,
disappeared Lem was caught short
time afterwards by Patrolman Edward
Mcdaniel, while John was caught In
Chester, Pa, as he was about 10 leave
a boat on which he had gone to that city.
Feeling ran high following the arrest Of
Lemwas removed to Philadelphia, where
he was kept a short time and then re-
turned TO this city. 4 special session of the
grand jury was called and a special session
Of the Court of Oyer and Terminer con-
vered in the early part of December OF
last wear The two Prices were repre-
sented by William :. Hilles and Robert
II. Richards, who had been appointed by
the court 10 defend them. The jury was
out on the case but few minutes and re-
turned a verdict Of guilty of murder in the
first degree as relating to Lem Price. while
John. the brother, was found guilty Of
mauslaughter.
Lem was sentenced 10 be hanged on
January of this year and John was SEN
tepced 10 twenty years Imprisonment On
December % Lem escaped from the work
house, taking advantage Of the fact that
most of the guards were in the main
dining-room Of the institution, while the
prisoners were at their evening meal. \
nationwide search then started for the
fugitive and il was reported at the time
that he might have gone to Holland.
Many rumors were run down, but the
Negro remained at large. AS 2 result
Of the escape of the condemned man, 8
grand jury investigation was made Of
conditions at the workhouse.
On November s, the local police re-
ceived word that the fugitive he'd been
caught in Birmingham, Ala Chief Of
Police Black and Sergeant Of Detectives
Benson went to the southern city and
brought the fugitive back 10 this State,
striving here on November 13. one year
from the day on which he shot the police
officer. The following Thursday he was
brought into Court and resentenced to
be hanged December g.