The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1877-02-02

and other reasons-that it was low
place. / then asked him if he did not
play cards when he went to Portland.
He said he did not. / then told him |
would bet him five dollars that he did,
and that / could prove it. He said it
was mistake, that he did not play
and then made some remarks that was
much to HE detriment of my place.
then told him he was a id old stink
er. He then grabbed hold of large
iron bar that was by him and said |
could not talk that way to him. He
had nearly raised with the bar, when c.
Harrington told him to hold on. 1t
was then that / struck hirn-Farriug-
he said any thing to me-after which
Hayes dropped the bar and sprang
back out of the way. Mr.. Hayes then
grabbed up pick, but was prevented
from using it by G. Harrington. Dir.
Hayes was then taken away, and was
told that | had better leave, and con-
cluded that | would 90 out to a neigh
boris. I had gotten part way there
when met friend, and was telling
him what had transpired, when was
arrested.
Public sentiment was very strong
against me, for the reason that kept
q saloon, otherwise / feel satisfied
that would not have been sentenced
tor wilful murder. What have here
stated, I again declare to be the truth,
and with my last breath 1 shall adhere
to the same statement.
When Hayes raised with the bar
Harrington called to him " Hold on,
hold on" This was before / struck
him. After struck him Harrington
came III between us and first told Hayes
to stop. He then said, "Go away
Kay, go away" 1 told him ss 1 am
away-keep him away" Before I left
l spoke to the boys and asked them if
they did not see how it was DONE
Chas. Knott said he was not looking
that LIE had his head turned. Bill
Lawrence said, 'Yes, I saw it. l saw
him raise the barr The other two
said nothing to my knowledge. These
are all the facts in the case, and I will
say in this connection that 1 am salts
fed that there was prejudice against
me on account of my occupation, that
prevented my having a trial in which
my rights as a prisoner were fully re-
spected; and I have it from the wit
nesses themselves, they had better be
careful as to what they swore to it they
wanted to stay in Halsey or in this
country"
Since my arrest various untruthful
stories have been circulated, represent
ing that l had been a desperate char
Aoter; that had cut several men, and
killed one, etc. These stories are en-
tirely untrue, and had the tendency, no
doubt, to influence the public mind
against me. never had difficulty in
which was not justified in every par
ticular. / cut mau with a pocket
knife, at Walla WalIa, who unprovok-
edly assaulted me, doing him no great
injury. I was fully exonorated by the
community, and was not even arre~ted
for the act. This is the solemn truth,
and | make this denial that justice may
be done to my memory.
In conclusion, it is proper that
should speak of the uniform kindness of
Sheriff Herren and .jailer Cline, who
have contributed IN every possible way
to my comfort during my incarceration,
and especially of the friends who, disin-
terestedly, and working only IN the
cause OF humanity, tried SO hard to OBJ
tain Communication of my sentence.
To them offer my thanks and this
feeble expression OF gratitude. To the |
clergy who have SO kindly visited me.
owe, IN the main, the hope have
within me of a blessed immortality. I
die with malice toward none. l ask
the world to deal charitably with my
memory, for, in my death my crimes
are expiated, and the law, trust,
satisfied.
WILLIAM KAY NEIL.
LINN County JAIL, Jan. 25, 1877.