Evening star., 1960-06-19
PRISONER 7 YEARS
Death Row Inmate
Conquers IIIiterocy
By GILBERT GIMBLE
Star STAFF Writer

NOHqueIS IIIIteT0Cy
By GILBERT GMBLE
dictionary propped small steel stand attached
to the wall of Cell Number 202.
Sitting a copying Willie Lee
Stewart condemned to death for robbery
Slowly, laborousy he inscribes words with pen al
pad of yellow lined paper.
For the prisoner the obscure definitions and the dim
phrases that he attained during his
Stewart could barely scratch an ~ for his signature when
he free he read and write to fairly
self taught
Something else has happened Stewart years of
life in Death Rowthe longest has been held there He
has grown tremendously fat
When the convicted murderer first entered Jail shortly
Capitol street he weighed about ITO pounds He is not
tal-only 5-feet-7-incheS
Today Stewart weighs 265.
Some say he eats because and unconcerned
gorge of inner fear that drives him
to obesity.
Three TriulS
In three separate trials Stewart has been condemned to
by jury time he has been given reprieve Last
another The Supreme Court decided to review
conviction and the probably Stewart will
avoid the extreme penalty for at least another
All this time Stewart born a South Carolina farm and
orphaned before he was TO- has been confined in District Jail
The aiers call Death by term that is easier
condemned mans officially it known the Admin
stratve Segregation Range But by any name is desoate
place. aordng minimum contact with the rest of society
Stewart just few faces He speaks from day to day
only handful of He doesn't require much distraction
Those who have contact with him he at ease
and grateful to be left alone.
taken strength in religion volunteer
chaplain the Amt has bended Stewart and taught
him the most simple terms The Lutheran minister performed
the baptism in the Jail CELL
The pastor who has also aided Stewards wife and four
children the 3Syearod prisoner has accepted faith in
childlike manner"
brought this he has been able to learn how
to read and write and to have faith
Cell 202 - ~&@Fe SO SAP b4
Cell is designed for single inmate There two
others convicted of murder waiting in the adjoining cells The
of IT cells along the special filled
with disturbed problem inmates who need constant guard
remained empty if there fill them
the Jail too crowded and the cells needed
Stewart prefers being alone.
He sleeps and eats more any in the jail He
jokes about his eating to the trusted inmate who the
prisoners on the range.
His jalers allow him much food he wants The
guards Stewart eats enough for four men,
During the day he is allowed to stroll along the cawalk
overlooking the dining below and chat with other in
mates the The exercise period is only about
half hour But Stewart doesn't bother to exercise He would
rather Sleep" says his guard.
His bed placed along walls the CELL
The cell itself but 6b8 feet Looking Stewart
the daylight coming through the tall arched windows
OF the jail But the frosted panes block of any view Of the
outside Even they were clear Stewart would see only the
prison yard
restricted so that there can be no suicides
There breaks the routine Twice week Stewart
shave and shower He is allowed occasionally to sit on the
catwak outside his cell listen religious service
conducted the dining below Baseball games
cast over the loudspeake system well music
rev visitors -
Then there the visits from relatives and friends
Stewart has permission to receive letters and visits from eight
different than the other prisoners allowed
Sometimes he gets visit from sister lives New
York, or Ster-n-aW or friend They leave him some
pocket money and he uses it to buy candy bar
an orange
Once month his wife. Annie who ST. permitted
to him. Mrs Stewart inmate at DC Jail in 1857
following shoplng conviction She had taken
daughters at Christmas time Because she had inmate
her visits limited to one 15-minute period each month
She sits in the rotunda of the Jail Stewart
tn
through damond-shaped window about inches They
speak to each other phone.
Willie talks about God and children" Mrs Stewart
He talks about himself He says he
the children to to church"
There four youngsters. The Oldest is Willie r who
49, The three daughters in from to IL They
live in Northeast apartment that $40 month Mrs
Stewart receives $2o1 each month in public assistance
The Staying -
1t the night of H. 1853 that Harry Honik-
man slain He his wife and daughter in the
723 East Capitol street about to Close waiting for the
customer to leave.
The bandit first drank orange potato chips
and then pulled MIR. Honikman told gunman to
take the money The shot rang out and
Mr.. Honikman died in their
Mrs Honkman died three years ago.
The only witness remaining in the daughter
Edith married and mother But with the passage
Of seven since that horrible night her
fathers death is emotionay upettng for does
not wish to discuss any part of it.
When Stewart was placed trial his wife was also
pregnant and following her conviction the court placed
on probation.
The baby was born few months later. 1t was boy
but he was scky He died in District Hospital
eukemia before his fourth birthday
They brought Willie to the hospital the jail
Mrs Stewart recalled He had baby Little
Randy was almost gone when Willie to him He
walked over by the bed and looked for minutes He
didn't say anything Then he just around and walked
away"