Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-08

4
but, for some reason his request was moi
complied with at that time, but he wa.
baptized at the Jail some days later. Sine
his conversion he has manifested the
greatest inter- st in religion, and has
HELD A PRAYER MEETING
in his cell ey cry evening, singing and pray
ing aloud III I'll 10 o'clock each night. Al
len, the colo red preacher who was convict
ed of abduc ing young girl, and sending
her 10 Louisville, occupies cell adjoining
that OF KeI ley, and he always takes a pro-
minent par in these exercises. Last Tues
day night he preached a sermon at Kelley:
requests.
In this connect ion, it is proper to stats
that from the day Kelley was sentenced tC
be hung, his fellow-prisOners have treated
him with degree Of kindness and consid-
Grafton, which was as unlocked for as il
was gratifying to the doomed man. They
4 have constantly seLt him cheering mes
Sages, maintain the utmost silence during
his religious exercises, and always send to
him portion of anything brought in by
their friends. a few evenings since Johnny
McTigue called out "Bill is there any
one with you?'
"Yes, "responded Kelley.
Il am glad to know it," said Johnny. 81
wish could do something for you. I've
Just had some biscuit and ham brought In
1 from the outside, and I'll send you some. .
Powers, the young man who killed Egan,
has also been very kind to Kelley.
All through life Kelley has been a con-
slant user of tobacco, and of late has
smoked five cigars every afternoon, besides
using his pipe, and has constantly kept a
chew of tobacco in his mouth when not
smoking, but notwithstanding all this, and
the fact that the objection of his ap-
! preaching doom never leaves him in his
/ waking hours, his nerves are as quiet as
those Of child, his appetite is unimpsired,
/ and he sleeps sOundly from ten O'Clock
each night TO seven the next morning. He
/ speaks of his approaching death with the
utmost GOODNESS, but was
4 TERRIBLY EXCITED
at hearing that the physicians OF the city
had made request, through Sheriff Whit
worth, for his body after the hanging. He
begged and implOred WhitwoIth TO allow
| his body a Christian burial. To this the
| Sheriff consented, and arrangements have
been made 10 bury his remains near the
| Pest-house, two miles north of the city.
Kelley has also been very much exer-
cised at hearing that several citizens OF
| Nashville had volunteered to do the hang
| ing if the Sheriff had any reluctance to per
| forming that duty. He persists in saying
that his statement with regard to his crime,
as published in the UNION AND AMERI-
CAN, is true in every particular, and that
| he will go to the gallows an innocent man,
but says he experiences foTgiying spirit
| toward all his enemies, although he SAYS it
| is hard for him to die in the full flush OF
manhood.
He was visited about two weeks ago by a
Bonner reporter, who represented that
lac would make statement for publication,
it would probably have the effect OF
securing pardon from the Governor.
With this understanding a written state
ment was prepared and then Kelley was in
fever of impatience to see Gov. Brown,
repelling all suggestions made to him of a
religious character with e Just wait till |
see Gov, Brown, and after that I'll talk
about religion, if he don't pardon me-"
At Kelley's earnest and repeated solicita-
ton, the Governor finally visited him in
his cell, but only TO assure him that his
life could not be saved, and advised him to
fix his thoughts upon the life beyond.
Since that visit, Kelley has never mentioned
the name of the Governor, but has been
very jealous and faithful in his religious
exercises, and has assured all who visit
him that he is fully prepared to die.
For two weeks past he has bSsl visited
by hundreds of colored people every day, at
his own request, and in this way the time
has not HING heavily on his hands. When
alone he has amused himself with training
a number of mice that frequent his cell, and
which have become 80 tame that they feed
out of his hands and answer TO names he
has given them. He also bitches them to-
gether with thread and drives them about
the cell. Ten days since two other colored
men were put in the cell with him, and he
has urged these men to repent of their sins
and seek salvation. In speaking of his exc
cution, he says that the physical suffering
will be but for a moment, and that
ANGELS WILL BE IN WAITING
TO carry him to heaven.
1t is his purpose TO make his stalk to the
crowd" Gas he expresses it) Immediately
after going upon the scaffold, the religious
services to take place afterwards. 1t has
not vet been determined how the religious
services will be arranged, but that matter
will be settled this morning.
Kelley speaks in the very highest terms
of Capt. Patterson and the other Jail Off
Gals. To use his own words, he has been
''treated as if he were a gentleman" by
every person connected with the Jail, every
reasonable want having been gratitied and,
in several instances, even anticipated.
Yesterday, Jailer Patterson purchased for
him neat suit of black clothes.
Thousands of people, men, women and
children, visited the Jail yesterday, attract
ed by a morbid curiosity to see the man
who has but a few hours to live. Kelley
was on his feet from A. NJ, to p. NJ,
and long before night the count of visitors,
as kept by some of the other prisoners, had
reached LOGO. Finally the number of peo-
pie on the street in front of the Jail, and
inside the building increased to such an
extent that the aid Of the police was in
voked, and officers Starkey, Head and Gull
lon were detailed to clear the building.
Among those present at this time UNION
AND AMERICAN reporter noticed a group
offour richly dressed white girls about eight
years Of age, who were being justled about
by the mixed crowd.
During portion of the day, Kelley had
the liberty of the jail yard, and was attend
ed by Allen, the cOlored preacher. He
shook hands with all who spoke to him,
and maintained his accustomed cheerful
ness.
Sheriff Bhitworth has finally decided to
have the execution take place south of the
city, Just beyond Browns creek, and near
the MurfneesboFo pike. 1t was reported
yesterday afternoon that the changing would
take place on the Public Square, but this
proposition did not meet with any favor
from our citizens. The Pest-house site
was rejected on account of its distance
from the city.
The gallows will be erected this morn
ing, ana other necessary arrangements will
be made before nom. Kelley will be
taEen from the Jail shortly after II o'clock,
| and oOnvavad IN the avacntior Grounds IN,