New Britain herald., 1930-10-18
JERSEY PRISONER TOLLS EXECUTI0NER
Governor Ordered Stay 22 Years
 Ago, Then Died

Trenton N J., Oct. IS This is the story of Archibald Heron, who for 22 years has lived happily in the valley of the shadow of death. All that time, in the State Prison, here, he has awaited electrocution for a murder committed when he was 49. Now, at Il, he knows that he has cheated the chair, and is proud of his unprecedented vic- tcry.
 Since Heron went to the bleak little death house, 91 others have passed through it to oblivion. Sev- eral times it seemed that the calm little man, who had boasted that he'd 'beat the rap," would have to join them. But alone and penniless, he squirmcd through a maze of technicalities, finally to have the trial judge delay his execution "un- t.. further orders"
 Then the judge died.
 So Archie lives, and sm okes, and thinks about the one great triumph of his drab career. He has been for gotten by society, and by the state. Even in the prison here, a volun- tary hermit in his tiny cell, he is almost a mythical figure.
 No Ruling Sought
 Archie is grateful for this ob- scurity. It remains his assurance Of safety. If anyone sought a su- preme court ruling on his status, is might reveal that the door to the death house and it's electrode chair still stands open for him.
 Heron is a murderer. There never was any question of his guilt In July, 1908, he had been haled before the Rev. Samuel B. D. Prickett, retired minister and acting justice of the peace in Me tEchen, near New Brunswick. The charge was disorderly conduct, and Heron was jailed. Imm ediately af- ter his release, he went to Dr. Prickett's home and shot him dead.
 On July 2S, 1908, Justice James J Bergen, in Middlesex County court sentenced Heron to die during the week of September [. Five days later a writ of error brought q stay of execution, and Justice Bergen then named the week of Jan. 25. 1909.
 At this time there arose a ques- tion of Herron's sanity. and a 30- day reprieve came from Governor Fort. who later extended it an- other month. On March 26, how ever, the governor ordered that tho electrocution take place within II days.
 Questioned His sanity
 But the records show that shortly after this order was is sued, another came from Justice Bergen directing an inquiry into Eerron's sanity. Prominent alien ists were brough from New York and Philadelphia, and because their findings were inconclusive the trial judge, on June ?, sus- pended the execution until fur ther orders."
 This was the loopholet through which HerrLn escaped death. For Justice Bergen died in 1923 with out issuing any further orders" And according to New Jersey law the sentencing jurist must set the week of an electrocution.
 "Archie used 10 tell me that he'd beat the death sentence" said Irving C. Bleam. who has been prison clerk for % years 'I remember him well, from the time I checked him in. I'd talk to him, sometimes before the doc tors arrived, and he always seem- ed perfectly rational.
 'But as soon as the alienists came, he'd start acting queer He'd scream and cuss like a crazy man. The hearings dragged on for five years and ended in dead lock. But l never could sec but that Archie was as natural as any one else.
 "Star Boar1er" Now
 Pretty soon everybody lost in terest. The doctors wouldn't agree, and nobody felt like stir ring up another long investiga- ton. Archie didn't give a bit of trouble. I guess he'll be our star boarder as long as he lives.'
 The death house only held six men. so Heron was moved 10 regular cell block to make room for less fortunate men. But he