The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-23
RUTH SNYDER,
facing MOOSE,
BREAKS down
Gray Is Quiet on Hearing
News of Death; Finds
SoIaCe in Bible.
MOTHERS VISIT PRISON
Husband Slayer SobS Self
Into FitfuI Sleep in
Learning Fate.
BIZ United Press

BIZ United Press
OSSINING, N. Y, Nov. 23.-Ruth
Snyder, her face tear-stained under
her faded blonde hair, knew today
that she must die in the electric
chair the second week of January.
unless the unexpected happens.
Henry Judd Gray. her partner IN
the murder of her husband Albert,
knew too, but he was resigned ana
unmoved.
Mrs. Snyder cried most OF the
night in her cell, prison attaches
said, while Gray passed quiet ana
restful night. She was nervous TO-
dav and took virtually no tood.
Mother Visits Ruth
Ruth's mother, Josephine Brown.
TODAY visited her daughter.
AS Mrs. Brown approached MrS'
Snvder's cell in the death house,
Mrs. Snyder stepped forward to
meet her. Then she covered ner
mouth with handkerchief and
gazed squarely into her mothers
eyes. Neither spoke.
While other prisoners were re-
ceiying present of cigarets, Thanks
giving dainties and various luxurles
to cheer them over tomorrow's hon-
dav Mrs Brown brought nothing to
her daughter.
During the last few days, it was
learned, she had been packing up
the furniture in the Snyder house
ia Queens village, where Mrs. Sny-
der and Judd Gray murdered Albert
Snyder.
at was a sad task" she was quoted
as having told friends. "The dining
room was just as it was last Thanks
giEing Day."
Formal Uate withheld
Mrs. snyder and Gray were
informed on Tuesday that the
state Court of Appeals had de-
ilied them neew trial and they
must die unless Governor Smith in
tervenes
The executions probably will take
place at IL p. m. on Jan. II. The
death warrants provide that the
warden may carry out the execu-
tions at any time during the week OF
Dec. 8, but the custom has been to
select Thursday night. Warden
Lawes refused to say definitely to-
dav if he would follow the custom,
but it was indicated he would.
The contrast was marked between
the doomed lovers, who plotted the
death of Albert Snyder and killed
him with chloroform, sashweight
and picture wire while he slept.
Gray Gets Rest
Gray has taken consolation in re-
ligion. He reads his Bible every
day and takes solace from the visits
of the prison chaplainS. He read
until late last night and then re-
tired. Those who watch over both
prisoners night and day found that
he slept peacefully and awoke at
$3.50 as usual, seeming almost cheer
full. He asked for the newspapers
and read through them.
Mrs. Snyder broke down and
screamed when she was notified of
the failure Of her appeal, lost con-
troll entirely. She wept Historically
for hours and all through the night
tossed and moaned on her cot. The
prison doctor examined her at in
tervalS.
Two to Die Earlier
Mrs. Snyder and Gray will be
left in their present cells until
twenty-four hours before the
execution. Warden Lawes said. The
death cells are in a separate wing
of the building, apart from the
other prisoners.
Until they are moved into the cells
from which few ever emerge alive,
close to the death chair, their
routine will be undisturbed. Both
will have plenty of newspapers,
magazines, books from the prison
library and such visitors as they
care to see.
Beyond their counsel they have
few callers. Only their mothers
stand by them in their extremity
Mrs. Gray was there to comfort her
son when the news was received
from Albany.