Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-03-09
M'HENRy GRANTED
RESPITE OF A WEEK
Justice Mccoy Yields to Last
Minute Appeal to Prepare
Youth for Death.

John McHenry- nty-four-year-
old slayer of Detective Sergt. Arm
strong. will not be hanged at the
District Jail tomorrow. A last minute
appeal to United States Attorney Cor
don and Chief Justice Mccoy by At
torney S. McComas Hawken. counsel
for the prisoner. today secured him a
respite of one week. The plea was
based on the youths lack Of prepara-
ton for eternity.
Shortly before the noon recess of
Criminal Division / the prisoner was
brought into court and Attorney
Hawken made the formal motion for
the delay in the hanging. He told
the court that he was called up late
last night by Rev. P. J. O'Callaghan
who with Rev. w. j. Kerby of the
Catholic University, has shown much
interest in the condemned youth.
Father O'Callaghan pleaded for a
short respite that he might complete
the spiritual instruction of the pris-
oner, pointing out that the youths
whole career had been in criminal
environment and he vas woefully I'm
informed Of religious matters. Re-
Gently the prisoner had SHOWN a dis
position to take more interest in his
souls salvation, the priest had stated.
and, although he had been baptised,
the priest wished a little more time
for him to complete his preparation
for death.
Gould Not BE Refused.
United States Attorney Gordon, in
consenting to the postponement of the
execution for another week. declared
refused by him. and Chief Justice Nc
Coy granted the respite.
Mrs. Mary Rice. the condemned boys
mother. who has been here seeking a
reprieve, appeared at the Department
Of Justice this morning to bring word
new evidence. which she hoped would
arrive in time for consideration by the
authorities before 1t was too late.
Accompanied by member of the
Anthony League. Mrs. Rice sought
audience with the pardon attorney. and
noon. The evidence. she said, was conf
ing from Connecticut-and. it was learn
ed, bears upon the plea of insanity, by
which the mother hopes to save her
son. The evidence. it was said. would
relate to the family history of the boy.
and she hoped 1t would be of sufficient
authenticity to obtain serious consid-
Grafton.
Mother Desperate I'm Appeal.
Though apparently weighed down by
her sorrow, Mrs. Rice, when called
upon to present her case directly TO the
authorities. spoke out with force and
clarity. full not only of mother love.
but a desperate and intelligent resolu-
tion to do the best her quavering
strength would stand. She was attired
in black. Her eyes were red from tears.
Another. and perhaps one of the most
striking attempts to save the life of
the youthful slayer, came in the form
of a petition this morning from $40
fellow prisoners at the District Jail to
President Harding. The petition de-
clared McHenry's prison mates had
evitable ceremony indicated for the
10th instant" explaining they believed
that McHenry was neither average
nor normal
Petition by Prisoners.
His youth and his childs mind
appeal to u.s." they said. The petit
ton follows:
THE undersigned prisoners of the
District of Columbia Jail. in re-
sponse to the promptings Of our bet
ter selves and under the influence of
the abiding sadness of tine occasion,
numbly petition you in behalf Of
fellow human being in the travail of
impending dissolution.
Recognizing the majesty of the law
and bowling, as we do, to its wise
mandates which have made prisoners
Of US all: and because of our daily
contact with him and our deep regret
for the not wholly inevitable cere-
monr indicated for the 10th instant,
~aO fo netitiOn Won for the life
of John McHenry, now under sentence
Of death within twenty-four hours.
knowing that only from your merci-
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