The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1877-02-02
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY .. 1877.
Last Statement of w. X.
Neil.

Last Statement Of w. X.
. Neil.
I, William Kay Neil, do stlemnly
aver that the following is true state
ment OF the facts concerning my life,
and especially OF the crime fer which
am now under sentence of death: and
it is my wish that the same be publih-
ed, after am executed, tor my own
Vindication.
| was born in the State of Indiana,
IN the year 1888, and at the age of two
years my parents removed to Morgan
county, Illinois, where they remained
three or four years. From thence they
again removed to Andrew county,
Missouri, where we lived until the year
1857, when my father sold his proper
y and, with his family, emigrated to
California, making bis home in Mendo-
clno county of that State, where he at
present resides.
have received liberal education,
aud at home was always surrounded by
good influences.
Since my a1vent upon this coast
have been variously engaged in farm
ing, mining, butchering and saloon
keeping. l left California four years
ago, and went to Walla Walla. where l
remained one year, and, not succeeding
In business satisfactorily, concluded to
return to California. En-route thither
4 stopped st Halsey, Linn county, Ore
Ron, where engaged in butchering, in
which business was principally en-
ployed until three months prior to the
unfortunate affair for which I am under
sentence of death. At that time 1
opened a saloon, and soon discovered
that great prejudice existed in the
minds OF the citizens of Halsey against
f.. me on account of my business. Proni.
nent among them was Seth w. Hayes.
Now, in the full belief that I will be
permitted to see the sun set but once
more upon this earth, and feeling the
awful responsibility resting upon me,
submit the following statement of the
unfortunate affair winch terminated in
the death of Dir. Hayes, and for which
I am under sentence of death, to-wit:
On the morning before the stabbing was
done, Dir. Hayes, with several other
gentlemen, was at work driving a well
= short distance from my saloon.
went cut to where they were, and round
them talking about Incorporating Hal
sey as q town. There had been con-
siderable conversation on the same sub
Ject before. In the course of tho con.
yersation observed that every thing
was not oD the square, as certain por-
Eion of the town had been left out.
Mr. Hayes said it was not done inten-
tionally. Bill Lawrence then asked
Mr.. Hayes what the object was in hay
ing the town Incorporated; upon which
he was told that it was to have less
q noise about town. I told him the noise
was not at my place, but across the
street at the Good TempIars Lodge.
Afr- Hayes then said he did not know,
as heswas not up there to see, but that I |
kept . low down, degraded place: that
Il vas over fifty dollars damage to him
: during harvest, on account OF the boys
going there and playing cards and after |
ward being unable to work. told |
him that all who came there were of
age and had right 60 do as they
pleased. This was the sum and sub |
stancs Of all that was said during the
morning, after which / went to my
ssloon. In the afternoon, about 4 o.
clock, was standing in the door of my |
saloon. No one had been there for
some time, and / thought would go
ont and have talk with the boys. AS
Sod is my witness, had no thought of
a1omn1itting the deed for which I am
gDOw nnder sentence. Some time before
that 1 had Been told by FL. Williams
that Mr.. Hayes was in the habit of
playing cards when he went 10 Pert
land and that he had played with him.
This came into my mind when went
ont, and | concluded would remind
him of It. / had talked there some
time, when / asked Mr.. Hayes If he OBJ
jeeeed 70 my place because they played
ean1a. there. He said yes. for that