The New York herald., 1878-10-13
MURDER FOR LUCK"
Astounding Confession of Longley,
the Texas Desperate.
HIS THlRTY-SECOND VICTIM.
An Incredible Career of Crime in
the Wild West.
A FELON'S GRAVE AT LAST.
HIS THlRTY-SECOND VICTIM.
A FELON'S GRAVE AT LAST.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD


GIDDISGs, Lee county, Texas Oct IL, 1873
The excitement caused here by the execution OF the
monster William LongIey has not subsidized and the
prodigious stories OF the thirty-iwo murders with
which h hands were red form the sole topic OF con-
versation. Although your correspondent yesterday
teegraphed with the story OF the execution some par
ticuars the desperado's marvellous career 81 crime
the following OF his earlier lite and the story
Of his las. murder by his own hand will 10
found entirely ana of thrilling Interest,"
HIS CRIME.
William T. Longley boru on Mil Creek, near
rravs, Austin county. Texas on October O. 1851. of
,ious parents In his youth the boy was taught TO
worship God anu at the age OF twelve years be made
profession OF religion, was baptized and became
member OF the church. He was the IDOL OF iond
md lndugent parents, and TO overwsenihg
SeakDess upon the part Of his father the
murderer attributed bis unparalleled career o. blood
she'd, or of .plantng his men, y as he termed the
taking OF human lie. From his own lips IL Is learned
that 1866 comm tied his hrst offence, which was
sne robbery oil a pistol IRON a ncSro sport he sub
sequently seemed to delight in. He said, ~ never
Allowed a negro to pass with pistol on" Long
ley ascrbes this hatred OF the negro 10 the unsettled
condition OF the country at the close Of the "Be-
muse the damned nIggers were taught IN the Loyal
Leagues 10 be impudent and saucy, aud would have
OF that IL mine" After this act he rapidly de-
veloped into .'iast man." and to become . Texas
desperate his highest ambition. Shortly after
occurrences, company with a neignbor son, Long
10y shot and killed negro, whose uody they hid the
brush. This was his first victim. and, according to
the desrerado's statements, since that time he
has splan ed-murdered in cold blood, Tor be
gave man chance in square up-and-up fight
tnirty-lwo men, not counting negroes and Indians,
he xii for the fun vi thing, just to
pee Them klck."
A vERiTABLE THUG.
While refugee IRON justice IN Texas he travelled
and committed outrages in Arkansas, Missouri,
Kansas Utah, Nevada, California and the Terri
tories every OF which may be found the graves
oi his victims. Among those who died by his hands
officers, civil and military; ana, II is charged,
weak and unprotected women have been made to bite
played the successful role OF q ssduccr; liberated
prisoners ails and by aid OF nrs and steel him.
self escaped moro Than once from prison
wallis Horse theft. gambling and "dead-
beating" were the professions OF this fend, who
called himscl: '.tne successful outlaw that
lived in Texas" How he eluded punishment for SO
long time a riddle Justice slow 10 his case,
but to-day the outraged law avenged and Longley,
after revelling IN human bioodshed twelve years.
sleeps ! q fsion Is grave
While in jaii Longiey wrote number OF letters and
the following coniession:-
coSFKssox.
This leaves mo still floating through inc gentle
oreexes Of misery. destined 10 that inevitable doom
that awaits me sooner or later. But
ts: ts iHf III vide cav y0ss sna r.s s.s,y .: m'
Well the blow Is over, the die is cast and am
copdem TO de, without the sympathy OF single
ono that know ot You all earer and hope to
gsance will be fully giutted and tDat you ali VIII be
satisfied wnsn you see the last footing Knocked from
under and my soul hurled into eternity. Then,
gentlemen, Tor Goa's sake, l hope your prejud ce
viii be satisfied when pay inns dreadu debt bieh
debt TOR the goed OF the rising generation, ana
hope that the law will triumph
All All xnos ,Sas ay reasoning iscul,.... y1e ape
FOOD enough TO know tnat the world would
back into barbarism II the laws OF the land
not enforced Certainly hle is sweet yet cannot
pect to escape the penalty OF Tue law, Tor should
Escape, either oy pardon or jail breaking would be
Encouraging 10 all boys now growing up WHO are dis
posed TO be iawiess. [ nave Two dear brothers, who
are now boy hood disposed bs wilder
Inan was. hope this Will oe warning TO them,
tor would freely die rather than tncm i've tue
IiIe That have lived; yet believe have been the
most successful outlaw that ever lived la Texas AZ
tar | can remember. But look now,
after ali tue victories have gained over my
during the past ten twelve years where now SIT
hound in chains, awaiting the doom that know 10
certain.
Yet nm thaDkfuI 10 Almighty God that have the
opportunity repent OF my sins and ut my soul for
the Dnd step that vii take OF Into me
generation and tell them the evils and dangers of
reckless nie There are many VINO may not take my
soaI from eternal ruin II VIII pay me Tor all the
writing have done since have been IN jail, ior that
generation the great danger ana folly ard
hnal end OF suco lie as mne has
ssvppe Sss man this 0o world BY lsaains s..n s
lie, but no runs great risk OF oeibg cut down IN
his sins without one moments tune Tor renecton.
Yet am one OF the fortunate ones who have been
blessed with lttle time, and tbink should devote
every moment OF that TIME now IN doug good, after
having thrown away SO much time that should have
put 70 better ana more profitable uss.
''Now ALL YorSe MN WARNING TAKE"
Now IL is too late Tor me, but u Eo Too late for
all young may read lhis ana who
blessed with being IN possession OF happy
had. bui never avaiied myself Of lhe
opportunity. And now, boys, remember the road
Bill Longley has travelled III disoOeying hts parents
and whom you 20 to wrong remember that q very
small wrong leads 20 Rgrester one aud so untl
nnaiiy nonug will seem wrong TO you u you ~ii fol-
low ine wrosg road. Ny urst step Was dssoedirnce;
next shsxsy driukiDg; next, carrying pistols uex,
gambling, Thea murder and tue uext siep suppose
WiIi never be blamed FOR what nave dono.
rHE rniRrY-sECONp MrKDSR.
Now am gong TO say lew words Iu regard to the
kiiiing OF Wilson Anderson Vas raised right here
within nve mules OF nim and we nsvo paved oftsn
togsthef when children. / never had anything
against him IN my nie. and nsdn't seen MN for
about eght ycars up 10 the evening Killed MIN.
But every time that would come tho country
Uncle Gale Loogiey would tell me something that
wilson Anderson nad said ABOUT me aud would make
happsar That ne was telling me tnose Things Tor my
3wu good, but have fOund out siucc that 10 had
sn object la view, and viii explain IL all 10 tue
following
Now i.haye been tired, convicted and sen tcnced to
death Or the kItDg OF Anderson, my evidence is
81 no use; wlsn bad told II all before uied.
out u Is not too late 10 tell the people II
caused. j was out In Western Texas when cousin
Gaze Longiey WIS Killed aud never heard IL unul
one year aiterward At my tathers house 10 BciI
county, but never heard mat Anderson did ~. Ny
fatber sad that he killed himself, running bis horse
~ never lnous AIT any more aoOut H. My Drotncr
jim lett nome wtn me this time, winch the 1st
OF Januury, 1915. Wo went into Bastrop county aud
stopped a. Bilt Bakers near Req Rock aud' stayed
there tlli the 2Stb asy Of March, 1sf5 WbIle Des.
learned that true bil had been found against
sn0oting at some negroes. SO Brother jim anu
packed up started Tor Northern Texas arriving At
Uucle Gale Longley's on the m Jrnng oi tho 30ln OF
hafcn. Uncs Gale met me AZ the gate, put his
ssms around my neck ond cried ike a caild. He
poinieu 10 arsve out IN IroDt oi the house aud
ssu-"Bni tberc lies poor nttic Cale anu tue msn
that murdered MIN lives right mere within "a mite OF