The New York herald., 1869-08-26
ANOTHER DOUBLE EXECUTION.
Clarke Jones and Denis Nelson, at Mar
Lin, Texas.
SCENES AT THE sCAFFULD.
Marin Texas August I3, correspondence Waco
ReglSter,l

Marin, Texas august 49, correspondence Waco
Registerl
srs Clarke Jones and Denis Nelson, In charge OF the
Ocers Of the law, left Waco and arrived at Marlin
OF sherr Norris deputy Moore, r. 3. Smith, jailer
Gates thirty United States soldiers, sixth cavalry,
commanded by Lieutenant SANDS, and q citizen zen
guard numbering about twenty, mostly from Falls
county.
NOR was any attempt made TO rescue them, though
there Is q rumor that eighteen or twenty armed
mounted men were seen In the Brazos bottom near
such is The case 1t supposed that they regarded the
guard as 100 strong for them and therefore made no
demonstration Az Ave O'Clock Lieutenant sands
issued the following order:-
GENERAL oRpER-No.l.
orrIor OF MILITARY COMMISSIONERS FoRl
FAILS CouSrYi TEXAS, I
K.s., ~ and s.Hs MAsLIs, n, Aasst. ~ iSSs
ms liquors or Seysases are hsieSy notasd to fully and
tal close at their respective places OF business All
Al dsoSsyns or evadns this orer viii be arrested
and dealt IN military manner At the execution Of
tusrd, win be allowed within half mile of The execution
Second Lieutenant Sixth United states cavalry
Military Commissioner for i alls county.
During the night the prisoners renamed in the
court house unGer heavy military guard. IN the
morning the relatives OF the prisoners allowed
30 Visit them IN The presence OF officers and guard.
Rev. John Carpenter, Methodist OF the Marlin cir
cunt was also present and offered prayer and conso-
relatives. On removing the shacSles 1t was found
that oa both Nelson and Jones they had been fled
nearly or Ihe Hing was recent.
Dtlle before twelve the relatives were ordered to
retire preparatory 10 the last solemn Journey OF the
went up from wife aud children, and sisters and
female friends, hearreading ndeed. The wife and
httle cludren OF Nelson were present and also o
married sister Of Jones, and other female friends Of
both prisoners, some ten or twelve In all. Mrs.
Nelson appeared almost Wild with grief; her eyes
were ory, even the consolation OF tears failed her
hours Nelson continued murmuring prayers Tor him.
seli and his family; his eyes were reddenetl with
tears. Jones remained nearly motionleSs, with his
eyes looking downward, and spoke cIvilly and
self-possessed TO those who addressed him.
AT twelve O'Clock the solemn procession moved
from the Court House towards the place OF eXecu-
ZION In 'front.' the citizen guard armed ana mounted,
next the ambulance containing the prisoners, sur
rounded by the cavalry; next the people. men,
women and Children, a large portion OF whom were
blacks
had been erected oy Mr. Gates 1t was about half q
nile north OF town in little mezquit valley soon
alter arrival the prisoners ascended the scafYod
conducted by Sheriff Dickinson, OF Falls county. At
the request OF Jones the officiating Clergyman Rev.
Il. f. Maftison, read the twenfy-third chapter OF
Luke which relates the trial of Christ before Plate
alter which tie reverend gentleman offered up ap-
proprate and solemn prayer, He prayed that the
dreadful ana solemn occasion might be blessed 10
the good OF the vast assembly present, the comnu.
nifty and the entire Stae that the time would soon
come wnen the state would he as famed Tor quiet
and order and the absence OF violence as 1t was now
Tor the contrary.
Zones stood firm and erect, without the movement
OF muscle and lace unabashed. Nelson's steJs
were more tottering and his demeanor more sub
dIed. lie continued TO pray, occasionally saying,
sOh did ever think would come to thisrn Mel.
Son WAS first asked If he had anything TO say, to
which with shake OF the head, he responded, NO
believe notn In answer to the same question
Jones replied, in firm voice, Eyes, sir, have. I
wish to say to the gentlemen here, and also to the
ladles that am not guilty OF the crime for which
enl 10 die to-day. have never murdered man In
Falls county. acknowledge having shot at Rice.
nf na
dare not allow me TO escape l have been accused
Of belonging to this and belonging to that but You
way DO yOu think could stand up here ana
talk In this way If was guilty. I never killed
speak for some minutes to the same effect repeat
hg often, Il have never committed q murder in
Falls county" Towards the last his voice rose TO
higher pitch and was slightly tremulous.
Near the close OF Jones' remarks Nelson said I'm
not very loud voice Gan have TO say Ia. Thought
was justified in doing what did,
The prisoners offered no resistance TO being pu-
Toned and the adjustment OF the moose. After the
black cap was drawn over their faces Jones turned
his face towards where Sheriff Morris was standing
on the ground and said, "Sherln Morris, wish yo1
would come up here and see that this rope is |
liked right, 30 that an honest man can die easy. |
Sheriff Morris compiled with the request ana as |
cended the ladder TO the scairod.
At precisely one O'Clock all was ready: q moment |
OF deathke stiffness and breathless suspense the
trap fell and the bodies Of the two men hung almost
motonless In the air. few muscular contractions |
Denis Nelson.
Az Tue expiration OF twenty minutes the attending
physicians pronounced life extinct, and the bodies
were cut down and placed in collins.
Jones was about TWENTY-FIVE years Of age, Of stout
bud, and possessing countenance indicative of
great resouuon and daring. Most OF his relatives
Ieside IN Wood county, married sister in Falls
BE was convicted at the spring term OF the District
court IN tals county, OF the murder OF the Howard
brothers on the 9Th OF June, 1865 An eppeal waa
taken to the Supreme Court, but the verdict In the
iower court was not disturbed. Sentence OF death
was pronounced at the late July session Of the Dis
nict Court In Falls by Judge A. J. Evans.
Nelson was about thirty-nve years OF age OF
rather slight figure and q cOuntenance not nnpre.
eossessing-had been for some time resident OF
Fails county and until comparatively late date an
exemplary member OF the Methodist Church. lie
was convicted OF the murder OF Wallace In Fails
county 10 February. 1862 The circumstances OF
The murder were OF an aggravated character the
murdered man being in buggy with bis wife al the
time.
All the proceedings attending the solemn event
81 To-Day nave been uninterrupted ana orderly
notwithstanding the oppressive neat OF the day a
tona.