Mexico weekly ledger., 1880-02-12
He Murdered Willingham In
Cold Blood, but Says he was
Persuaded to Do 1t!
kilgOre is Fast Losing His
BOld Spirit. and Sheds Tears
of Repentance.
Wants to 20 to the ScaffOId
with a Clear Conscience"
KILGORE,S BIOGRAPHY,

the history Of Walker kilgore's mur-
der of Lorenzo Dow Willingham.
ON the 9th day of January, 1879.
Kilgore has always asserted his inno-
cence, and said he was out rabbit
hunting and shot Willingham in self
defense. This was the theory that
his counsel advanced very ably, dur
ing his long and interesting trial.
This theory was broken down by
the State attorney, and Kilgore was
sentenced to be hanged.
For some reason, unknown to US,
there has been suspicion all the time
that some one put Kilgore up to this
deed, or, at least, encouraged him in
1t. Since Kilgore's sentence was
passed we have repeatedly visited
him, both in the interest of our own,
and as local reporter for metropolitan
journals, and when we asked him if
he did not have secret to tell us, he
would hesitate, and then say ''No."
He held to the story that he was rab,
bit hunting, and killed Willingham in
self-defense. We would question and
eross-question, but all to no purpose
he held steadfastly to his story. Dur
ing the past week, as death approach
ed, and he saw that there was no aope
for him, his bold spirit seemed 10
grow less rebellious, and we knew
that shortly he would ''talk," and if
he had secret he. would reveal it.
Last Tuesday he told US in substance
what ls about to follow. We want it
distinctly understood that we do not
know his policy in "squealing,' and
in no way vouch for Kilgore's state
ment--we simply give it for what it
is worth. As kilgore is under SEN
tence of de ath, his word on oath is of
no effect in court. He may have con-
cocted this terrible tale, and there
may be no truth in it-but why
Why would he wish to go to his death
with damning lie on his lips? Why
would he wish to circulate such re-
port on his old employer when it
could not help him at ala Why, in
this very confession, he says he is
guilty of cold-blooded murder. He
could not hope to escape death by
such fabrication, for at the same
time lie establishes the very theory
that he was convicted on-namely,
that he did not go out to hunt rab-
bits, but to kill Wiillngham. In the
first place, we will publish his confes-
sion as he recited it, and as one OF
his fellow prisoners noted it down.
Not wishing to lead him into telling
anything that We might suspicI ion, and
in that way draw ont of him by ques-
tions, we told him to tell his story to
a fellow-prisoner, and then we would
ask him some questions. He dictated
the confession, and said as he hoped
to meet his God with a repentan,
heart it was true; and we held the
pen while he made his mark to the
following:
KILGORE's CONFESSION.
The language is his, and we will
not correct it; we might wrongly alte,
his ideas by so doing-[ED. LEDGER.
MEXICO JAIL, Feb. 9th, 1880.
Mr.. II. NJ. NHITE.-As it is your
request that l should make public
concerning my trouble will do SO,
knowing that death is at the door.
l wish to say to the people of this
county that did not kill L. ID. Will
ingham of my own accord. Willing.
ham was hauling off Robert Railey's
and my corn, which made Railsy very
angry at Willingham. Railey told
me to borrow Krunkle's gun, and
shoot "illingham-which l did.
Circumstantial evidence placed me
behind tree. / was not behind the
tree when Willingham came along
was standing close to the fence in the
road. spoke to him he got angry
and pulled his revolver-got off the
wagon-came towards me. l told him
not to come any further, or l would
shoot. He kept advancing; 1 sho'
him twice; then went to Railey',
house met Mrs. Railey told her tha
1 had shot Willingham, but hoped he
would get we'll. I did not want te
take tile gun will, ,,s. that morning
bn. Railey SAID yes, take the gun anc
shoot him, that Willingham woulc
kill me unless l shot him. 1 did no
want to have any trouble with Will
ingham, but Railey kept urging mt
on; and l would never have been il
this trouble il Railey had let M
alone, and not excited me into doins
what did. WALKER KILGoRE.
After reading the above, we asked
Kilgore some questions, and CLEANED
about ~ follows: ''He had only tolt
the above to one other man, and tha
was Mr.. Dingle, whom he knew h.
could confide in. Railey had been e
see him; told him (Kilgore) not t.
tell rs it would do him no good
told him before the trial not to tel
that he (Railey) had told him tt
shoot Willlngham, for when he should
confess that, he would admi
he went out on purpose t.
kill Willingham. Mr.. and Mrs
Railey both knew I went out t.
kill Willingham-no one else knew it
l make this confession now, becausa
l don't want to die with q lie on my
heart. borrowed the gun to Kill
/ Willingham, went out that morning
on purpose to catch him a. he came