The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-25
Allen Wright.

Two papers were being circulated yester-
day for the signatures Of those who favored
the Communication of Allen Wright, colored,
the murderer of Jessie Wicks, from death to
life in the penitentiary. Judge Field, who
is Wfight's attorney, circulated one, which
was numerously signed, and colored man
another, the number Of signers to the two
petitions aggregating some eight hundred
names.
Wright, who was to have hung for his
crime last Friday, and whom the governor
respited until the coming Friday
in order to give him more
time in which to prepare himself spiritually
for the next world, occupies the most of his
time reading the bible and religious songs.
A HERALD reporter visited him at the sil
Yesterday, and judging from the brief con-
versation had with the prisoner, he ia very
hopeful that the governor will commute his
sentence to Imprisonment for life. Yet he
said if it was otherwise ruled he would be
ready and resigned to die upon the gallows
for the preparation of the crime which he
admits he committed in the heat of passion,
but that he trusted he might be permitted to
live. When the reporter called, the prisoner
was reading hymn book and was perusing
the verses of that we'll known hymn
"Arise, my soul, arise,
Shake of Thy guilty fears;
bleeding sacrifice,
In toy behalf appears"
He said he had written letter to Nose Per-
kins, colored, whom he charges with falsely
swearing against him. to come and see him,
but he had never answered the note, either in
person or otherwise
The following is copy of letter he
wrote Sunday to his sister, who resides at
Mineoa:
DALLAS JAIL, Aug. -, 1851.
My DEAR SISTER:
| received yours os the 10Th, day before
yesterday and take this opportunity of an
swering it. | assure you was very glad to
hear from you and to hear that you are striv-
ing to live so that we may meet in the future
if not again on EARTH | feel thankful that
tho Lord has heard and answered my prayer.
Though can hardly hope for commuta-
ton of my sentence, | will at least hope for
the best, and if am executed am resigned
to my fate, and hope and pray that my exc
cution will be warning to others that are on
the downward road to eternal death. Some
of my friends are trying to get
my sentence committed to imprison-
ment, and should they succeed, my life shall
be such as will lead to eternal reace and fel.
lowshp with the God that has shown me
such infinite mercy. Though it would seem
dark and dreary to live the rest of my life in
side prison walls, feel that the Lord will be
with me the same there as on the outside, and
l will pray for strength to bear my misfor-
tunes with Christian fortutude. | will send
you one of my pictures in this letter, and
when you look at it think of and pray for
your unfortunate brother who, though he has
erred, was not bad at heart, and has fully
repented his misdeed. | am feeling as well
as could be expected under the existing cir
circumstances. There is great many here
to see me every day, and everybody seems to
have kind and encouraging word for me,
and | assure you l fully appreciate their
kindness toward me, and most OF all the Jail
officers, all of whom seem to be anxious to
do all they can to make my time pass as
pleasantly as possible. l am particularly
grateful to the jsller, Mr.. Dean, for many
tavors shown me since my incarceration
here.
Hoping to hear from you again, remain
as ever, your atfectionste, though unfortu.
nate brother. ALLEN WRIGHT.