The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-06-30
NJ. 49,.
Execution Of Poe and Robinson.

taken from tne HENDERSON Times OF the 10th
On Friday last at an early hour, crowds of people
from every direction pressing into town. By 10
o'clock not less than six thousand according to accu
rate estimates had arrived The occasion of the col
lection of this multitude was witness the execu
ton of Poe and Robinson for the murder of Coils.
Ward and Ely.
1t was new era in the history of Rusk county-no
white person had been executed under the SEN
tence of court in the county, and but negro.
The impression had prevailed that such would never
occur here Hence there much curiosity on the
subject and this doubtless brought some butthe pre-
vailing idea to witness the execution The pris
oners had been brought in from Marshall where they
had been confined the previous evening, in charge of
the sheriff of the county and a company Of United
States soldiers, under command Of Maj. Topper and
Capt. Toleman, and placed under guard at the Fair
Grounds
At o'clock we visited headquarters for the purpose
of seeing the prisoners. We were kindly received by
Maj Tnpper and afforded opportunity for inter
view Poe not WE'LL but answered freely all ques-
tions. Robinson perfectly calm Both said they
were prepared meet their Eae-hat they were guilty
and ought to die Poe said he had been led to the
commission of the crime by others-that he drunk
when informed that Ward and Ely had money and
were going toward Mt Enterprise to buy cotton that
he was told where get horse to pursue them Rob
inson said he knew nothing of what passed before Poe
came to him, except what heh had learned FROM Poe.
Poe said he shot both Ward and Fly, But that he did
consider himself responsible at the time he did it,
| he was still drunk. Poe said they had made full
confession that confession III the hands Of Ma or
Turney, son-inaw to Col Ward and that it was true
in every particular and that ii would be given the
public he hoped at the proper time. Robinson en-
dorsed all this.
! At this point Poe said he had an address TO his
young friends which he had prepared that morning and
wished to have it published. On consenting to
publish it. he delivered us copy, asking that the
essary corrections in spelling and punctuation be made
The following is the address:
HENDERSON, TEXAS, June H. 1869.
| q To the Young Men of the Country:
'As am to depart this life in the manner have
to, feel it my duty to leave few words Of advice
behind to you. trust that you will listen to them
and make them your future criterion. As have but
a few moments to write will be as brief as possible
TO begin hardly know how, but will do the best
| l can When l came home from the late war, was
determined to settle myself and render my dear mother
and sister happy, and live high-minded and honor
able man; and did, until | commenced drinking. AZ
ter short while of that life, while wild with ntoxca-
ton and mad with grief, was induced to participate
in crime that am willing to give my sweet
life for. &c. now, young men, abandon drinking,
swearing and sabbath-breaking you may expect to
| turn out badly. Young men, remember that these
words from dying young man, who once was
among you and for the love of God, and for the re-
spect of yourselves and families, follow them Associ
! ate with none but gentlemen.
ITO brothers, one word Brothers, for the sake of
dying brother, change Your ways of lvinglive to be
Christians and prepare to meet me in heaven never
do nythng but what's honorable; never commit muir
der for that is the hardest crime to get forgiveness
for. Live at home and be comfort to your mother
! and sister.
"The time is SO near at hand for to depart that
must bring my lines to close hoping that my death
! may be great warning to the young-that they may
| live good men on earth and die Christians I must
| soon bid you adeu.
"Mai. Turney, son-in-law of the deceased Col
| Ward, was to me few days since, and told me
that he his wife and family, had forgiven for what
had done and after being forgiven by those OF this
earth, and Cod whom love, ready and
willing to die.
$50, now, mother earth, take home thy child,
| Who once was both reckless and wild;
But when in God he put his trust,
Was forgiven ere laid beneath the dust.
| $50, now kind friends farewell-an atfectonae
adieu. H POE.
"I fully indorse all contained in the foregoing
I" H. B. ROBINSON"
Near u o'clock the prisoners we're taken to the gal
lows erected outside the Fair Grounds. The
there assembled surpassed anything witnessed in
Henderson. space of hundred yards square,
in the center of which was the galows, carefully
guarded by the military being allowed to enter
except permission After the prisoners the
scafold they informed that they could have time
to say anything they wished to. Robinson said moth
ing Poe said he would like to say few words, but
that he could not be heard by the crowd. When in
formed that what he said would be communicated he
said he wanted to talk few words to his young friends
that he wished to say to them to avoid drink-never
to drink at ALTO take the advice of one, about
ANYTHING that was not strictly right and honest and
to take his fate warning these subjects. After
pausing moment, he remarked that he hoped "no
would think anything the less of his dear relatives
on account of his fate, repeating that he not
sponsbe at the time he committed the act for which
he was then to die. He then called for Mr.. Brooks,
son-inaw of Col Ely, who inside Of the square,
and asked for his forgiveness saying that he had been
forgiven by his Maker by Maj. Turney and most of
the relatives of Col Ward and that he wanted his for
giveness Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Ranes, another son-n-
law, stepped to him and expressed their forgive
ness When asked if he had anything more to say he
answered in the negative, but asked for ten minutes to
pray. This was e ven him, and during the time he
appeared to be engaged in earnest prayer Before the
expiration of the ten minutes, he asked if his time
out Being told not, he asked the sheriff to fix the
rope round bis neck right. The sheriff adjusted it
we'll he could dead silence prevailed for about
a minute when the word was given and Poe and Rob-
inson suspended in air. Robnsons neck broken in
the Drop and he died with scarcely struggle Poe's
neck not broken, and he lived for minutes.
Thus ended the career Of two young men raised in
our midst 1t terrible ending, but not without
its lessons In the above address their fellow young
will be their Interpretation as to how it came
about. May it prove warning to others. May Prov
dence spare eur country and the country large from
such scenes.
So far Rusk county is concerned the day passed
without interruption. Late in the evening Capt.
King Williams and Capt. Butler had rencouner in
which shots exchanged resulting in the serious
| wounding of Williams. He is in the hands Of skiful
physicians and will probably recover.
| King Williams is citizen of Panola county and the
official assignee in bankruptcy for this district Capt
Butler is a citizen of Anderson county. Butler was
Immediately arrested by deputy sheriff Hickey; one
Graves charged accessory, also arrested. Both
parties were taken charge Of by the military, and,
| understand have been taken to Jefferson.
The great lesson of the day was to prove false the
oft repeated declaration that white cannot be pun
ished for capital crimes in Texas by the civil authori
ties. Here instance in which the military had
nothing to do, except in the capacity Of guards. Soft
will be from this time on, if the people permitted
to act. They determined that the law shall be en-
forced and that the guilty shall not go unpunshed.
SPAIN.-The establishment of regency under Fran
cisco Serrano Marshal of Spain, has given turn
to Spanish affairs and hopes the friends of CON
stltutlonal government in that country Marshal Ser
born, we believe the last year of the last
century. Devoted to the interests Of the Queen Mother
he assisted in bringing about the fall of Epartero in
lS43 After the marriage of Queen Isabella in 1916,
he acquired such an influence her mind as oc-
casioned differences between the King-consort and
herself and gave rise little Of the scandal of
the day Having succeeded in overurning the minis.
try of the Duke of Sotomayer which attempted to de-