The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-12
BILL LONGLEY OF TEXAS.
THE END or THE MOST iTROCIOUS
CRIMINAL ~ THE COUNTRY
ExpiatinR on the Gniiows One OF Over "a
Score OF Nurders-A Career Happily I'm
parnIleled In American Records of Crime.

on the Gniiows One OF Over "a
Score OF Murders-A Career happily TN
paraiieied In American Records of Crime.
GALVESTON, Texas, Oct. ia special TO
the Ners from Giddngs. says VIM. =. Long
ley. generally known rs Bill Longlcy. was
hanged there to-day in presence OF vnst
crowd. for the murder of Wilson Anderson. in
March. 1875 Longley made speech from the
gallows asking forgiveness Of those whom lie
had injured and warming his hearers to forego
revenge. as 1t was that passion which brought
him to the scafTold.
AT 2:37 o'clock the drop fell: the cuprt
moved n couple OF times. and his arms and legs
worked spasmodcally for few seconds. In
eleven and half minutes life was pronounced
extinct.
Longley had certainly killed eight men. six
whites and two negroes. besides shooting sew
eral others who survived; but 1t s confidently
believed that at least thirty men died by his
hand.
William 2. Jongley was tho first murderer
iudcialy hanged in Texas for two years.
Longley was undoubtedly the king of despera-
does. though he lately protested TO the writer
that he was innocent Of some Of the murders
attributed TO him. He was never abc to recall
them all. Lon2ley was one Of the handsom-
est mon l ever met. He was little
over twenty-seven years of age. tall
and graceful. with mild. blue eve.
ruddy complexion. Roman nose n dark nous
tache and goatee. and a set OF teeth like pearls.
While talking he occasionally rubbed them with
faded silk handkerchief. and his voice was
low and gentle as woman's He wore the
Texan sombroro the band II which is made in
imitation OF the coied rattlesnakc. and with his
coat butt9ned around his shapely waist. his hat
tipped a little TO one side OF his wei l-shaped
hoad. he was the model Of the rowing desperate
Of Texas.
Longley began his extraordinary career nj
the nge OF 10, when he and u companion
amused themselves by mounting on horseback
and Hiring at every negro whom they encoun-
tered. Those were stormy times even Tor
Texas. when 1t was emerging from the civil
war and civil law was virtually dead In the
greater portion OF the State. The immunity
which Longley enjoyed, emboldened him 70
more daring crimes. until, before reaching his
majority, he was ono Of the most dreaded men
north Of the Rio Grgnde. While yet quite
young hc started through the Indian nation
with companion, but was attacked by outlaws.
his partner killed. and himself put 10 Il light.
When his horse gave out he shot an Indian and
took his from him. This lie repeated several
times. until the Creeks and ChOctaws gathered
himself wounded. and he took to the bush.
Here he was found by sqUaw. who brought
him food and helped conceal him until the hue
and cry was over, when he got away.
Longley subsequently Joined party which
started for the Black Hills. but were turned
back by the Government troops. and he enlisted
in the service. He nude m Advancement with
the Quartermaster 20 swindlo the Government.
but the two ATTEMPTED to cheat each other.
quarreled and Lonelry shot the equartermaster
dead. and then took TO the mountains. He WIS
followed. captured and sentenced toa long con-
nnement in PRISON. Tut escaped. rs lie declared.
through brib.ng tue guard
While tramping through the woods In Arknn
sas one day lac stopped at cabin. where he was
limbcd. heavily bearded man While the two
were In conversation the cabin was surrounded
by vigilance committee. thHi had come for the
express purpose OF lynchlnG the host, who was a
noted horse thlet named West. Finding hand
some. graceful guest. they concluded be be.
lougcd TO the gang. Lungley protested. and
appealed 10 the horse thief who grlmly shook
his head. As there was no help FOR himself he
thought his visitor might rs well benr him
company In the road - the sudden GAllows.
Both men were carried out and hanged 10 the
limh Of tree and tnen the w Sey.n yFil9nis
IN the woods. watching the proceedings. As the
horsqmen iisgpp,si.red. he ran " and cut down
the h 1rse thief. He was already dead. but when
Longley was lowered. he was found 10 be alive.
The knot otthe rope had caught IN his ear. and
In the course OF an hour he was rs well as ever.
tim; even with the vigilance committee. He
caught and hanged the man who put the rope
around his neck. AMI claimed tu have shot all
tho others though II Is scarcely credible that
such was the case.
some Of LongiIsy's murders were parlicu-
Mr. Ray of Arkansas, because that gentleman
attempted 10 persuade ayoung girl MOTTO marry
the desperado. One night "a soldier expressed
IN uniavorube opinion Of Texans. and
Longley sent n bullet through his brain.
His last crime. far rs known.
was that OF walking into a field
whore a man was poughing and firing one
bnrrel OF his gun at him. Tho poor fellow fell
badly wounded. and asked LonElcy why he had
shot him. " For fun, was the answer rs the
young scoundrel cmptiei tho other barrel into
his victims body. Instantly Killing him. 1t
should be stated that LonRley suspected this
person OF being concerned in the staying OF
distant relative Of his.
uFinaly this desperate seemed TO weary Of
his massacres, and went into Nacogdoches
County. where he engaged himself 10 Il farmer.
He wrought quietly for several months. and
formed strong friendship for u young
man Ia the ncighborhood. to whom. finally.
under solemn pledge OF secrecy, he
gave his correct name. HIS cOniidant
communic Gated with the authorities, who. know
ing the desperate character of their man. sue
ceeied in surrounding him while he WAS un.
armed and working In Il field. His trial and
conviction followed, aud after several appeals.
he suffered Yesterday the penalty Of his nu-