New Britain herald., 1925-07-24
Judge Grants Stay of Execution Four Hours
 Before Time Set for Hanging The Con-
 demned Man Finally Admits He May Be Mentally Unbalanced.
By The Associated Press.

By The Associated Press.
 Chicago, July 24-RusselI Scott. early today escaped the gallows for the second time within a week.
 The former Canadian financier. twice reprieved from paying the su- preme penalty for the murder of a Chicago drug clerk in a holdup. lodged the moose for the third time less than four hours before he was 10 have been executed when Circuit Judge Joseph R. David granted stay of execution pending a hearing into his sanity
 Judge Grants Stay.
 A week ago, Six hours before hs was to hang, Governor Small grant. ed a one weeks reprieve which ex- plrcd this morning. Judge David, called out Of bed few hours before the time for the execution, con- vened special session of court and granted the stay after Governor Small and the state board of pardons and paroles last night at Springfield refused further cIemcncy.
 Hearing Probably Monday.
 This morning the gallows trap, set for springing a week ago, stood without its victim and jail officials who had left it standing during the week of grace were considering dis mantling 1t. The sanity hearing will not come off for several days, Judge David indicating he cannot hear it before Monday. August 3.
 Scott's escape from doath today, like q week ago. came after he and his relatives had virtually abandon- cd hope. Thomas Scott, his father, had called at the jail three hours previously to bid him fast farewell, the second such visit in 2 week.
 Wife Rushed hy Auto. Mrs. Catherine Scott. his faithful wife, who for weeks fought to obtain examination, played what she be- leved to be her final card in Spring field, where she appeared before the pardon board, and when the stay vas granted. was rushing from Springfield to Chicago by automo- bile to bid her husband farewell al- most at the minute of his execution. She arrived to find the court action stopping the hanging.
 Scott, who had been surly and de. liant throughout the night and who apparently was completely resigned , 10 his fate, received the news that his life was spared. at least tempor- arily with con%derable surprise. He had known nothing about the last minute appeal to the courts.
 Ticllled To Death.
 I'm tickled to death" were his first words.
 Then upon learning that the stay lad been granted to find out wheth- CT he were sane, Scott added:
 T am no more crazy than the judge who granted me stay on that account. l am not asking for any sympathy from any one either. I am innocent"
 Scott's sudden and unexpected ess cape from the ga'}oWs was as drss nlatic in it's way as the desperate last minute efforts in his behalf @ few hours previous that had proven so unsuccessful.
 Board Refused To Act.
 New counsel hastily summoned yesterday by Scott's friends, hurried 10 Springfield. where they met the governor and board ot pardons and presented a plea for reprieve, at, lacking some Of the states witnesses and maintaining that they had un- covered new leads which they had not had time 10 develop. The board however refused fur. ther clemency and Governor Small concurred in the action. pointing out that Scott already had received two reprieves.
 Retain Famous Lawyer.
 tpon receiving this news, which apparently sealed Scotts fate, Mrs. William McGraw and Mrs. lsobel Hurst, both of Detroit. representing Detroit club women who raised sS,- o0o for Scott's defense. hastily re- tained William Scott Stewart noted criminal lawyer, who recently euc- ccssfully defended William n. Shep- i herd, accused of the murder of Billy { NcChntock.
 Stewart it was who conceived the i1s49 NF aglzfr,ev ton. an action similar 10 that taken three years ago to save from the gallows Gene Geary. notorious gun man, whose execution was stayed while his sanity was tested. Later he was sent 10 an asylum.
 start Hunt For Judge.
 At midnight their last despctat, decided on, Scotts friends and Stew art started their hunt for a judge io issue the stay Judge David. called from his bed. agreed to call a session of court it his hailiG and clerk could be found. Then. with the minutes ticking away. clerk and bailiff were rushed 10 the county building where in dimly lighted court room on the tenth floor the hearing was held.
 Father Signs Paper.
 A little group of newspaper men. the judge, the attorneys, Scotts friends and hts aged father made ID the gathering. The petition, signed by Scott's father recited that the condemned man has become insane