Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-08-18

wife. The priest told him that
the proof and public opinion
was very strong against him. Berry
replied by saying, ~ know it is for
they have sworn lies against me, but
never mind let the world have the
whole matter as it will, God has it
right and in that great day it will be
seen that an innocent man has been
put to death" After few words with
Berry about his youngest daughter to
whom he( Berry seemed much attached
the priest bid him an affectionate fare
well saying that he had done all he
could for him and would return to
Knoxville early this morning to pray
with and comfort Webb in his last
hours. Berry seemed
GREATLY AFFECTED,
so much so that we took our leave, but
before parting with him he requested
US to return this morning rs he wished
To make his last statement, which he
desired to be published i'm the news
papers of the country We then bid
him good night promising him to call
in the morning which we did, and
with him had the following
INTERVIEW
Reporter-Good morning Mr. Ber-
ry, how are you feeling to-day?
Berry, am feeling very badly.
Had such pains i'll my head and side
that could not rest at all through the
night, in fact, my health has not been
good for several months.
Reporter-HOw have you been pass
ing away your time in your cell ?
Berry-Most all of my time has of
late been consumed in reading my BIZ
BILE and in earnest prayer to Almighty
God that He might pardon me and
lead me to that bright and happy
world above. / have now found
peace with my Lord, and have no
fears OF dying, for the troubles of this
world are many, and l feel willing
and ready to leave my prison cell.
Reporter-Mr. Berry, did you really
murder your wife, or were you in any
way connected with the same?
Berry, positively did not kill my
wife or have anything TO do with il
in any shape or form. ] always low
ed her, and never spoke but two cross
words to her in all my life, although
she being very high tempered, often
said harsh things to me, but | would
go on paying no attention to her.
Reporter-Then Mr.. Berry, since
you declare your innocence so positive
ly, can you tell me who YOU think
perpetrated the fiendish deed?
Berry-My skirts are clear so help
me God, in this my dying hour, but |
have always believed the crime was
| committed by my father, Patsy Dot
son, James McFerin, Hannah Berry,
my cousin, and Henderson Berry, my
half brother, as my father and Others
of the party named had threatened to
Kill her on various occasions.
Reporter-How about the recent
statement of your daughter, who de.
clares you murdered your wife with
your own hands?
Berry-She was scared into such a
statement by my father and other enc
mics of myself and family. They also
| promised if she would turn against me
they would get up petition for the
pardon of her husband, who was sent
to the State prison some time ago fol-
stealinga hog. May the Lord have
mercy on the poor child and
pardon her for falsehood so great.
have tried to raise my children right
but they have all turned out very bad.
ly, except my yOunAes daughter who
was always quick to mind whatever
myself or her mother told her to do.
Reporter :-"Mr. Berry, do you real.
ize the fact that you are to die on the
gallows before the setting OF the sun
and that it is of the utmost importance
to your SOULS eternal welfare that you
tell nothing save the truth ,"
Berry :-"Yes sir, l do. l know this
body of mine will soon be cold and
lifeless, and / look for no pardon from
human hands whatever, and my
Maker has already pardoned me for the
many sins | have committed against
His holy law. | give you a true state,
ment of the unfortunate affair, know.
ing that grim death now looks me in
the face and that nothing unelean shall
enter the house of God, and that al
liars shall burn everlastingly in thar
lake Of fire and birthstone
Reporter: Tell us something about
your past life, where you We're born
your age, occupation, and so fourth
Berry: | was born in this county
and was forty-five years old the 10th o.
last December. / went TO school but
little while young, and the most of my
education / received by hard and faith
full study after l was full grown.
| was conscripted into the Con.
federate army during the war anC
put in Col. Fuckers regiment, Gen
Pegram's brigade, which 1 deserted il
July, 1868, when Bird and Sanders
made their rade thro' East Tennessee
and went home to my wife who was
then very sick. Since the war l have
tried to live a peaceable and quiet citi.
zen, attending to my own business and
letting the affairs of Others alone.
LEAVING THE CELL.
The hour for the execution having
arrived, we left the cell, but before
leaving he thanked us for the interest
manifested in his behalf, and said
he wanted us to have everything pub
lished he had given in his CONVERSE
ton, and that he should make no re-
marks at the gallows, for the people
were so prejudiced against him that his
words would probably do him more
harm than good.
STARTING FOR THE GALLOwS.
At 10 o'clock Sheriff Spears took the
prisoner from his cell and placed him
in a wagon, which contained a plain,
though neat walnut coffin, and with O