The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-05-06
His GRIM Pictures Upon the Wall.

He Still Asserts His Innocence
His GRIM Pictures Upon the Wall.
Yesterday BAzoO contained . special
dispatch announcing the fact thai the Su
preme Court. 70 which the case Of West.
now under sentence Of death, had been re-
ferred for a new trial, had pas-ed upon the
matter and affirmed the decision of the
Cooper county Circuit Court. According
to the due course Of Law, unless the Gov.
ernor interferes, West will be hung on May
10th.
A BAzoo reporter took the train yester-
day morning, for the purpose Of procuring
an Interview with the doomed man, 80
soon TO suffer the extreme penalty Of the
Law.
Upon arriving at Boonville the BAzoO rep
resent.tive met with a courteous reception
from Sheriff Mccullough. who kindly con.
sented to granting us an interview With
West. After entering the Jail proper, in
the upper story of which West is confined,
the latter quickly recognised the reporter
and extended his hand in welcome.
CONSIDERABLE CHANGE
u noticeable in West since hi. FIRST incsr-
ceration. The ruddy complexion Is gone.
and his face Is paler, while dark circles un-
der hIs eyes shows that long confinement
and mental anguish is telling npon his Wig
orous constitution. He has no beard, but
his face is covered with scattered long,
light hairs, which showed that he had moi
used . razor for . long time. He was
plainly but neatly attired, and appeared to
be taking exercise in the passage way inside
the cage when the reporter entered. He
has slow, deliberate manner in talking,
does not hesitate to look you in the eye. and
has nothing OF the rowdy or desperate air
about him. He is . young man, though he
looks younger than lie really is.
Reporter-Well, John, 1 suppoae you
have heard the news?
West-Yes. l have. and II has hurt me
terrible bad; but can't help 1t.
Rep-There don't seem to BY any chance
left you for your life.
West-No, guess il is the end of all
hope.
Rep-Yes, that decision is final, and you
can not expect anything from the Governor.
West-I expect 10 hang on the 10th, ii
can't get a petition but there is 40 many
women think ought to get one.
Rep-But the Governor never has inter-
fered in q case Of the kind.
West. tdeSpondingly)-No, think there
is no hope for petition.
At this point he noticed the reporter was
writing.l
West-Now. don't put anything in the
papers. l won't talk. I don't want any
thing published in the papers.
Rep won't put anything in the paper
to injure you or your case. Where is your
fiddle. Do you play upon il?
West-Iplay little-not much. have
learned little since Uncle (mean,ng Sheriff
Mccullough lent LIE his fiddle But I
can't play nov, for it has no + string.
Rep-You have been ably defended.
Weat-Yes, my attorney did all he could
for me. am satisfied with him.
Rep-You have no hard feelings against
anybody, John?
West-No, don't blame anybody; they
were mistaken in the man, - sure ~ the
day is long
Rep-You bad fair trial and good
jury.
West-Yes. believe they were honest,
but they were mistaken in the man.
Rep-Do you know Who the murdered
man was?
West-No, no more than you do.
Rep-Whst has become Of the man you
left Lamonte with?
West-Who? Gus Woods? l do not
know where be il now.
Rep-Have heard from your wife?
Vest heard from her about month
ago.
Sheriff-It is not that long, John, its only
about two weeks.
West-WeIl, time seems long to me in
here.
Rep-Has your wife been to see you since
you have been in Jail?
West-No, she has not been to see me
She is poor and has no money to come. ]
would like to zee her and the baby.
Rep-Your brother-in.law has been to
see you.
West-Yes, he thought enough of me to
come.
Rep-You never could 6od out Who the
man was you said you stayed with over the
river on tho night Of the murder.
West, (excitedly)-I won't answer any
questions. If I've got to hang I'll tell the
the truth. / don't want anything in the
paPem.
He WA assured that nothing detrimental
to him should be published. and the re-
porter saked:
They treat you we'll. do they not ?"
Wet-Yes, have been treated we'll ev-
er since have been here.
Rep-Don't you think you mis,ed il in
trying to get ont?
West-Y~, I made = mistake in that.
Some thought MAS going to kill the Sher.
iR with the pump handle. ! had no inien
tention of hurting him. but It IL hard to tell
what man in my ix will do.
Rep-John, If you are guilty, you had
better acknowledge it. The world will
think . great deal better of you.
West-I will never die with lie on my
tongue. At the last point on the platform
I will tell you what tell you nov.
think more of myself than to die with |,
lie.