CHAPTER I.

THE PLACE OF DOOM.

To see the Annex, or place where criminals under sentence of death are confined prior to their execution, is the chief desire of every curiosity-seeker who visits the prison. The Annex is situated at the eastern end of the east cell block, and was constructed after the passage of the act of the General Assembly providing for the execution in the Penitentiary of persons sentenced to capital punishment. In 1885 the east end of the cell block was partitioned off to the depth of five cells by a heavy stone wall, and in the north corridor is the quarters of the condemned men, while in the south corridor is the reception room, through which all must pass to gain access to the Annex proper. At the end of the block between the cage, where the condemned are confined, and the reception room, is situated the execution room, a view of which is given by the preceeding cut. There are five tiers of cells, which furnish accomodations for twenty-five men, but it is very improbable that this number will ever be confined at any one time. The following illustration gives a fair view of the cage where Stayard, the slayer of his sweetheart, Morgan, of Ravenna fame, and others have spent the last hours of their existence. The cage was built for the reception of the Ravenna murderers. There is but one key to the door seen in the foreground, and that is always in possession of the guard on duty. The fence seen just back of the man with the broom, keeps the curious crowd from coming too close to the condemned In order to reach the gallows, the prisoner is brought out through the gate, taken up the first flight of steps at the left, turned to the left and then out on to the scaffold. There is always a guard on duty, whose position is between the railing and the iron lattice-work. The prisoners sleep on cots arranged along the sides of the cage, where they are in full view of the ever vigilant sentinel.

men.

The execution room is about twenty by fifteen feet, and is floored with stone flagging. Eight feet above the floor runs

a gallery looking for all the world like the bridge of an ocean steamer. In the exact center of this gallery is the fatal trap. Above this is a small space in the ceiling, where an attaching

apparatus for the rope is fastened. The trap is composed of two shutter-like doors that drop down when the lever is pulled. They are furnished with cushions to deaden the noise,

and are fastened into position when the drop is made, by means of springs. The operation of hanging is as follows: The condemned man is led from the death cell out on to the scaffold, the trap doors are fastened in position, and he steps upon the trap. The noose is adjusted, the black cap drawn down over his eyes, his arms and legs pinioned and all is ready The signal is given, the lever pulled, and a human being shoots through the trap and into the great beyond, over whose future the black curtain of uncertainty is drawn like a pall. The drop is eight feet, and naturally results in dislocating the criminal's neck. After an execution the body of the victim is carried to the Dead House, located near the northeast gate, by a couple of convicts selected for the purpose, and then at the proper time delivered to the dead man's friends or some medical institution.

The prisoners confined in the Annex are subjected to almost the same formula of initiation, on arrival at the Penitentiary, as the ordinary criminal. They are given a bath, new clothing and turned over to the barber. They are allowed to retain their beard, however, and their hair is not clipped to the scalp. They are also spared the ignominy of wearing the convict garb, as each is provided with a well-fitting suit of citizen clothes of good material, white shirts with collars and cuffs, stylish shoes, and hats. They also have the choicest viands from the kitchen, and are permitted to smoke at their pleasure. They may receive their friends and attorneys as often as they choose-in fact, they enjoy many privileges not accorded the ordinary, convicts. The officials show them every favor consistent with the stipulations of the law, and endeavor to make their existence as pleasant as possible for men under the shadow of death. The prisoners are allowed to exercise daily in a yard arranged for that purpose, between the main building and the Female Department, and under the vigilant eye of the guard, they indulge in base ball and similar athletic sports. For a week or two preceeding an execution, however, this privelege is revoked, and the condemned men exercise in the Annex by walking up and down the cage. Heretofore they were allowed to walk around in the main enclosure, but

since the construction of the yard alluded to, the practice has been discontinued.

The prison Chaplain visits the Annex at regular intervals and holds spiritual communion with the unfortunate inmates. A prisoner may, however, choose a minister of his own particular faith for his spiritual adviser. Preachers of different denominations frequently visit the condemned to offer consolation and prepare them to meet fate without fear or trepidation. The prisoners are liberally supplied with books, papers and magazines, and there being no restriction on their communicating with each other, they pass the time as comfortably as could be expected under the circumstances.

As the day of the execution approaches, arrangements for the dreaded event are carried out silently and expeditiously. The guard is doubled, for several reasons-the most obvious, to prevent the doomed man from anticipating his end through suicide. The rope is tested and the trap is tried, so that there may be no accident or mishap at the last moment. The witnesses and representatives of the press are notified, likewise the family of the man who suffers the penalty. The coffins for the victims are always on hand the day before the execution and all arrangements are so complete that there is little left undone to relieve the occasion of its terrible aspect.

Out of twelve executions that have taken place in the Annex up to date, neither a negro nor a woman has suffered death. Several women, however, have been received at the prison on capital charges, with the death penalty affixed, but they have in every case had their sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Craig, the negro murderer, whose execution will likely occur during the present year, will have the honor of being the first of his race to stand upon the trap, although one or two have received the death sentence, but only to escape the penalty through executive clemency.

When the new law regulating the execution of homicides was enacted, there were many reasons advanced for its adoption, the principal one being its advantage over the existing law in repressing murder, owing to the terrible(!) provisions attached-hanging at a midnight hour, within the sombre and silent walls of the Penitentiary. But if the new law has been