The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-08-19
Allen wright's Preparations FOL
haath

D6Htn.
Allen Wright, condemned to hang to-
morrow for the murder of Jesse Wcks, was
taken from the Jail yesterday under guard of
Sheriff Moon and Tailor Dean, who escorted
him haudcuffsd to barber shop, at the cor.
ner Of Main and Field streets, where he was
shaved. As the prisoner passed down the
street crowd composed of both white and
black followed in his wake.
After getting a shave the officers, at his
request, took him to Freemsn's art gallery,
where he had four pictures of himself taken.
He was then taken back to Jail and placed
in his cell
A HERALD reporter called to see him and
was shown letter he had written to his
sister, Polly Williams, who resides at Min
cola. He said that he had not seen her until
few weeks ago, when she came up to seer
him, for fifteen long years. The lett (which
he gave the reporter permission to copy and
| publish, reads as follows:
DALLAsJAIL, August Is, 1860.
My DEAR SISTER, seat myself this
morning to drop you few lines the last
perhaps that YOU will ever receive from your
unfortunate brother. But my dear sister,
should've be denied the privilege of mseting
here on earth let us hope to meet in heaven,
where there is 10 prison bars or chains, and
| feel satisfied This morning that though my
crime is great, that the l. rd in His infinite
mercy has forgiven me. Though must leave
my dear friends and relatives here, the part
ing will not be long. Let us thank God that
He has pyovideda resting place for the weary
pilgrim. Pray tor'me, sister, and live your
self go as to meet me on the other side of the
dark river of death, whore there is no part
ing. L have been very fortunate In getting
intothe hands Of kind and gentlemanly Off
GERS They have given me every attention
and shown me great kindness since my con-
viction. Since my final sentence the minister
has been to see me frequently and has been
very kind, trying to place my feet in the
right path that leads to eternal rest, and thank
God I feel confident that have found the
right path. went up in the city
this morning to have some
photographs taken, one of which send you,
and l would have you keep it as a memento
of an erring but repeDtant brother whose
; life was cut off in the bloom; but through
the infinite mercy of an all-wse and forgiv-
ing God, feel that l will inherit life eter
nally. Well, sister, will draw my letter to
q close by asking you to pray for me and
me et me in heaven, where we will part no
more. Until we meet again remember me
as your loving, though erring and unfortu-
nate brother, ALLEN WRIGHT.
During the morning several ministers, both
white and colored, called to talk with him as
to his spiritual condition. Among the white
ministers were Rsv. N. F. Smith, who read
the 2lst Psalm and prayed with the prisoner,
, who appeared to listen eagerly to all that was
, said by the ministers. The Rev. MIR. Parks,
of the Baptist church, also talked with the
condemned man. After he had conversed
with the ministers, he said that he felt as
though he had more faith in his being saved
in the world to come. He expressed himself
as feeling "fust-rste," and was perfectly
calm. He expressed desire to be baptized
before he was hung, and heriff Moon, who
seems DESTROYS of gratifying the unfortunate
man all he can, gave his consent to it.
The officers attempted to keep the matter
as quiet As possible, to prevent the gathering
of crowd or anything like a parade yet the
news spread rapidly, and though it had but
t there were some two hundred colorsd people
, and whites in attendance. The prisoner was
escorted to the ford, handcufed and under
guard. On arriving at the place of baptism
Sheriff Moon tied a rope around the waist
. of the prisoner so as to hold him securely. 1t
WAS thought his anxiety to receive baptism
might be only prete1t to secure chance
to commit suicide, and Sheriff Moon deemed
it best to take every precaution. The min.
lister who officiated, be it said to his credit
as q christian, dared to do what he con-
, ceved to be his duty, other colored minis.
ters fearing to perform the rite tor fear of
mourning the dispeasure of their congrega-
,, tions. The name OF the minister, who is
pastor Of the colored Christian church, is
Rev. Fl. 3. Howell. The minister offered a
prayer, praying for the forgiveness of the
prisoners sins, and the two walked out
into the water, Sheriff Moon hold
{, ing the end Of the rope that encircled
, Wright's waist. The ceremony was per-
formed successfully and the prisoner was re-
turned to his cell.
, Judge Field, who is his attorney, sent a
petition, signed by some of the best citizens
including Sheriff Moon, to the governor yes,
: terday, asking for respite of thirty days
Wright stated after the baptising pro
cess he felt much better and had greater con.
fdence than ever in obtaining everlasting life
in the realms of the blessed.
Excursion Tickets.