The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-11-04
The GALLOWS.
- -
hauiman'S First Legal Hanging.
A Horrible Crime and its Ter
rlble ExpIation,
Payne and Caichings Hung for the
Murder OF Old Man Love Confess
SlOnS Of the CrImlnalS.g
spccIaI To- INN IlrrnlL.I

''''" '''''Ni tttitN hlll LAY Ne anu
Eugene Catchings were hung for the
crime of murder
Their victim was an old harmless,
man, who lived about midway between
Terrell and Lawrence, in Kaufman
county. The murder WINS committed
last May, and was deliberate, foul,
cold.hlooded. After the deed was
committed, the murderers fired the
house, and then went to Rockwell
county. Suspicion fell upon them,
and In the afternoon OF the third day
after the murder, Moore, alias Payne,
was arrested at Mr. Hartman's, one
and II half miles from the town OF
Rockwall and hter in the same after
noou, Catchings WAS arrested at Mr..
Williams, two and half miles south
Of Rpckwall, Officer West, of Rock
wall county, with u posse, made the
arrests, and placed the prisoners in the
Rockwall county jail until the next
day, when they were taken to Kaui-
man county 10y Deputy Sheriff Angus
Mcdonald and Mr.. John Simonds, Of
Terrell, and placed in Jail, where they
have been closely confined ever since.
At the trial, Mr.. W. a. Human, pros.
ecuting attorney of Kaufman county,
assisted ny Messrs. Marion, Adams
and Charlton, conducted the prosecu-
ton, and Mr.. Joseph Hoilmeister, Of
Terrell, and j, =. Woods, of Kaufman,
were appointed to defend. The trial
only lasted five days, and the Jury
were out but five minutes, when they
brought in verdict of guilty. The
trial closed last Monday, and Judge G..
}. Clark passed sentence on them, fix
lug the time for their execution on Fri
day, November the Sd, between the
hours Of 10 in the morning and 4 in
the evening.
At three O'Clock the hanging OF
Catchings aud Payne took place.
Sheriff Wilson brought the priso-
ners out, and conducted them amid a
great concourse OF volunteers and
other guards, TO the place OF execution.
AT THE JAIL
looked unconcerned, but
Payne hung his head us II remorse OF
conscience had settled upon him.
seemed not to care. He
smoked cigar from the prison to the
scatiold; while Payne was sutinsed in
tears. Payne on the gallows was evil
IDENTIFY overcome, and his tears were
profuse. Rev. Mr.. Wright (colored)
gave consolation to the prisoners, as
was in his power. Cathings, true to
his confessed guilt and hardness,
showed no sign OF emotion, except to
bow his head while the pastor prayed.
Sheriff Alec Wilson read the SEN
tence and findings OF the court, and at
three o'clock the fatal trap was
sprung. The scait0ld was a.
A square fraine, situated about one.
fourth OF mile northwest from
own.
WHAT CATCHING's SAID.
As the day has been set for my hang.
ing, want to give you warning. | don't
want anyone to follow my course.
can't say am sorry for anything so
much us for the murder of old man
Love. When young man starts out
and follows drinking and card playing,
ne will come out just AS | have. Whis-
Key will ruin any man. Whiskey aud
cards hAye been the ruin of many men.
Drop IL! Go no further. Quit now,
Questlon-Do you think you will
have forgiveness for your sins2
No; | know | have not.
What about the clothes OF old man
Loves? | took nothing from the
house, except n piece of tobacco. |
got no money; he had no money.
thought he had money, but he had
none. | did not do the killing-my
partner did ii.
Catchings looked more like a stump
speaker than a man who was to be
hung.
WHAT BILL PAYNE SAID.
NY life ought to be a warning to all.
have been raised WE'LL and knew bet
ter than to do murder; but did It.
| hope the young men especially
will take warning from my fate.
There are worse men looking at II o
han | am-plenty Of them, and |
hope they will reform. / always be-
ieved there was hell, and still be-
Iieve it. know Mrs. Hartman as one
Of the best women who lives. think
she was n true Christian. She told me
to mend my ways and quit my evil
ioings. have prayed to God to for
give me. | believe l am prepared to
meet Him. l feel that | have done
and am sorry for it. | know |
am bound to die, and / know that no
one can save me. Men and talk alike
are useless to save me.
Subsequently he again got up and
said he had given his body to DIR.
Stun, to be used for dissection, for the
benefit OF mankind. He then sat
down, and was chained to Catchings,
who was cool and collected. Sheriff
Wilson then
ADJUSTED THE ROPE.
Payne looked on coolly, seeming, as
the dread moment drew near, to be
more collected. Catchings still showed
nc sign Of terror or confusion. Payne
4. nlr al AInI NH M IN n.an.r ho had min hi