The Washington times., 1922-12-25
IN DEATH
. CELLS Of D. {.
JAIL
Stockings Filled and Xmas
Tree, With Good Dinner Is
Ready for Prisoners.

While Washington relaxes to cell
ebrate Christmas Day according to
the dictates of the hearts desire,
seven men In "Murderers Row
out at the District Jail are dutifui-
ly taking part in a simple but I'M
pressive observance Of the Yuletide,
likely to prove their last on earth.
When these men under death
sentence awoke this morning they
found, together with each Of the
other inmates at the Jail. that
Santa Claus had not forgotten
them. for a bulging stocking filled
with goodies was hanging beside
each individual cell.
Through the thoughtful efforts or
Mrs. David r. Covell. wife or the
ma stor Of Trinity Church. the stock
ings were provided and. In order
that they might he complete sur
nrise, they were hung in the cells
while the prisoners slept.
Help Them To Forget.
Major w. L. Peak. In charge or
the Jail, will make every effort to-
day to make the men in Murderers'
Row. as well as all other OF the In
mates, forget the road ahead and'
With this In mind. has arranged a
.umber of activities for the day.
Following a custom Of long stand
'nC. a huge Christmas tree has
been placed in the center or the
tiers OF cells and a number or
delicacies have been added to the
hill OF fare for the Christmas meal
Here's what the prisoners Will
have TO eat:
Roast pork, mashed potatoes.
brown gravy, celery, cranberry
sauce. coffee. and plum pudding.
Religious ceremonies will be held
for the prisoners both this morning
and afternoon, while more than
usual levity will be permitted
among the prisoners wherever pos.
sible.
Three Oh-Timers.
Major Peak said this morning
that the Jail has never had more
than seven men in "Murderers'
Row" on a Christmas Day In it's
history. He reminded that Charles
Price. colored. convicted OF killing
Robert Smith Edgar Randolph
Perrygo. twenty years. convicted OF
killing Mrs. Mary Emily Perrygo.
and Ziang Sung Wan. convicted OF
killing DIR. Ben Sen WV. have al
ready spent several Chri ''mas daNs
in the isolated death cells at the
Jail
Delay in the execution OF the
death sentence in these cases
has resulted. he points out. through
the disputed legality OF the Dis
trict having an authorized hang
man. This question il now before
the Court OF Appeals.
The other men in the death cells
today are George r. Banton. colored.
convicted OF killing Samuel Frye;
Rufus Gordon. convicted OF killing
Simon Miller: George s. Epps, con-
victed OF killing his wife. and Ernest
A. Stands. colored. who il No. Z. and
received sentence only few days
ago.
Perrygo to See Mother.
Perrygo. a lad Of twenty. whom
Major Peak described today as a
most excellent" prisoner and who
naturally elicits the most sympathy
on this Christmas Day, will welcome
a periodic visit from his mother this
afternoon.
Wan, who, Major Peak confides.
is the 'lonesomest" prisoner at the
Jail, has not received any visitors
outside of spiritual advisers for
some time, 1t Is learned. He has
taken keen interest in the ap-
preaching celebration. however, as
have all Of the inmates save Stands,
who has not been behind the bars
long enough to become resigned to
his fate.
Trying to forget as far as possible
that they are in jail, the majority OF
the inmates this morning took a
healthy interest in unwrapping the
gifts in their stockings. and the same
phrase waited from cell to cell at
the jail as today rings from door
to door in the city:
MERRY Christmas"