The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-02
r II u q Az L o " ..

Immediately sent to the city and Coroner jacob
and Sheriff Oliver and Captain Vance, OF the
city police, Immediately repaired to the spot
where the murder was committed. An inquest
was held and the jury adjourned to meet in
Little Rock to hear further evidence before
they rendered their verdict. The body was brought
to the city and courier despatched to inform the
friends OF the deceased Of the sad occurrence. The
murdered man, Rev. J. II. Merrill resided near Pa
l0rme creek, IN Conway county, and had been in
Little Rock two or three days. He was recognized
and spoken to while going to and returning nom the
city. He was killed about four O'Clock Sunday
morning, just before daylight while asleep near his
team and wagon. From the position In which the
body was found he was evidently on the point of
ing to his feet when the fatal blow struck The
weapon used was large-sized Ratchet, the blade
penetrating about three inches in the back Of his
head, killing him instantly. The body was found
few hours afterwards where It first fell, not having
been disturbed. The p0cketb0Ok Of the murdered
man was found lying near, but red Of its contents,
and one horse was missing. The officers were not
long In getting
ON THE TRACK OF THE MURDERER,
and. following up the search with commendable zeal.
had the satisfaction OF nabbing the duSky villain and
lodging hun safely in jail
THE MURDERER
gave his name as Major Tatum. He had blood
thirsty, hangdOg looking appearance, and carried
the impress OF his endsh act upon his countenance
After he had committed the deed Of murder and
person he stole one OF the horses and rode to Hun
tersve, just across the river from Little Rock stop
ped at darky's house and procured his breakfast
Leaving his horse there, he crossed the river to
Little Rock and remained IN the city until late III the
afternoon, when he returned, mounted the stolen
Oliver put several men on his track, and about Jour
O'Clock next morning. just twenty -four hours after
he had committed the murder, ne was in the hands
OF the law.
TIE TRIAL
took place about ten days after the arrest Of the
prisoner and the jury, alter twenty minutes debe-
ration, returned verdict OF guilty OF murder in
the first degree"
THE STATEMENTS OF THE PRISONER
are very conflicting. While in prison he made the
following confeSSi0n:-
win be twenty-five years old in August next Twas born
William 3. Tatum Fl Dorada Union county. In December
snd portion n Of % last wSrtsd on the farm for
70 Little Rock when met Merrill some six miles north of
and him he had any fire. lie said No
lie handed me The assis Esd wi tn said
be had spent Lille Rock, and made the eaiSas:
then counted and dried
money hs had ali the Tune lie sepi very sound
toeaby hard about four O'Clock. sunday morning. Two
C %h and .% Ss ss a. Were
some stolen horses. Merrill gave them drink Of whisksy
% called S %s
40 sn he Hr and m % %
found the axe under Thu Ss which was
Sn bis a. feet when 81 ,srcI him he second tins;
turned his back then struck him three very
s.n
h sas and 5
the wagon cover and covered him carefully as was
best came to auntersvile arrived there about
a.. O'clock Sunday mOTnlng Slsi 1859 When
Sui satisfied he could no, live long
Ing and did not return until late in the evening eit very
~, y S1Sy S e So hear on thai
river '''" ''D's' A' '0'''' Oh inc 0'A'' sue 0' We
PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION
Long before the appointed hour crowds were seen
vending their way towards the place OF execution.
Carriages wagons buses and vehicles OF every de-
scription, even including the dray, were brought
into requstion to transport the curious within sight
OF the galows and 6y The time the culprit arrived
women and children, had assembled on the grounds
surrounding the galows.
THE sCAFFoLD
was neat looking structure PINE erected In the
old brckyard, on a small hill opposite the Penten-
tlary. where fine view OF the surrounding country
Is obtained.
THE APPOINTED HOUR
approaching Deputy Snerin vandegriff repaired to
the county jail with carriage, In which the prisoner
hence TO the place Of execution accompanied by
Rev. Mr.. Peyton (colored) At the jail a vast
snS the q tine tine
foot OF the gallows. The prisoner assembled
with steady step, and did not appear to realize
clothes. Rev. Mr. PeytOn offered up a prayer for
tered to him before he left the prison. He exhibited
remarkable coolness although his speech was
little confused and partially uninteglble when he
SECOND CONFESSION.
y old 10 A:sS to 1o ss;
Der .his and pray for yourselves your children and neigh
i:s and sS %s.
s% Ny soul SspP and am going e heaven Mind
you BE- brought % the end have: I have committed
esnp.d went to him and asked i0S Si% % give me-
,sms %ssess. s Then s:ssd him % let say Al night
.Sa s ss ss, rS s1 sn|s sSns
money. told him had one dollar being afraid to tell him
Ihsd more asked him for m.tehe. he asked for
. me , M ySa YOU before DAY Donsy
under hi. head, and as struck him exclaimed, "i az
YOU Cid o,d aL sn YOU now" only struck him once
now-my souls happy.
The prisoner then shook hands with the sheriff
minister and q few Others wished them good-by,
thanked them for their kindness, and exclaimed
30, Lord have mercy onIme ~ The white cap was
slipped over his head, the moose adjusted and at
precisely one O'Clock the drop fell and the soul OF
the murderer was launched into eternity there be
again judged BY his Maker. His neck was broken by
the fall. He struggled very little, gave occasional
jerks and twists OF his body breathed very heavily
for few minutes, when he hung perfectly Iifeless.
After hanging about eighteen minutes the body was
examined and pronounced dead, and In twenty
minutes from the time the drop fell his body was
lowered to the ground and deposited In the plain
pine CONN prepared for lis reception.
The widow OF the murderer's victim was present
at the execution, and when the fatal trap was
sprung seemed 10 be satisfied and even grained
with the result
UNUSUALLY wEALTHY.-Thc Troy Press tells a
rather suggestive story OF member OF the New