The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-06-15
CONFEssias TIE CRiaIE.

Fred Waite's Detailed Statement of How
He and His Accomplices Assassinated
Ad. WISER, the Franklin Jailor; "a Sys,
tematic Scheme to Commit Murder and
to Escape by Aviiling Themselves Of
Sundays Quietude.
Fred Waite, who few months ago was O
prisoner in the county Jail here on the
charge of the theft Of a vaise from drum
mer named Brown, at Hearne, Robertson
county, and who was subsequently taken to
Franklin, the county seat, it will be re.
membered by the readers of the
HERALD, made his escape Sunday, one
week ago by killing Jailer Ed WISER with
piece OF iron. An account of his being re.
captured by the officers who traced him
with bloodhOunds, has already been pub.
lished in these columns. Since his recap
ture and incarceration he has made q state
ment or confession concerning the killing
and escape, though he was warned at the
would be Used against s'"' him N
as evidence on his trial, yet he persisted in
making it saying it was the truth, and that
he would make it il he hung forlt.
wAlTE's STATEMENT.
The first attempt was 10 be made on Sat
urday, at dinner time. The plan was laid
the 9Th of May, The plan was as follows:
In the morning Mr.. WISER came in alone to
issue the rations for breakfast
he was asked by some of the
prisoners Il don't know which
one) where Dan was, the colored man who
is employed around the jail, and he (Mr.
WISER said he had gone. away on business;
he went out and left us in the corridor for
exercise; it was after he went out that we
commenced laying plans; it was talked
over first between myself and Mr.. Compton
sam Webb and then W. Banks and Jordan
Scott were taken in, aud they all agreed to
take the following parts: ! was to go into
cell No. 3, the door of which was left open
all the time, as soon as we heard the keys
jingle for dinner; then Mr.. Compton was TO
watch and see if there was anybody on
the outside. who could help Mr.. WISER
While | was Overpowering him if there
W rs anybody there he was to say "Yes;"
il not, NO W. Banks and j. Scott was
10 tell Mr.. WISER to set the pan of rations
back on the washstand he (Mr. Wyser)
being in the habit OF leaving it near the
door, when he came in with it, so / could
have him further from the outside door at
the time of the attack; i'll knocked him
scnseless vas to throw of the brakes ana
icU tAe ,vlhe4 Pi '2VHcIS o"t' was "
have his watch and pistol; din
ner came; Compton gave the signal not
to strike, so | came out OF cell No. 3 and
saw three men on the outside of tn corri-
dor; | went back in cell No. 8 when Mr..
WISER shut the door for the night; after
he was gone, | came out in the corridor and
sam Webb gave me my blankets to sleep
on out OF my own cell; about . ? m. / went
to cell No !, which contained W. Banks, j.
4 4 i a. I IL
try to get out the next morning, it being
Sunday Smorning: we all thoughtit would
be good time, because it was Sunday,
and there was nobody around town then;
the, parts were to be as fol-
lows: JordOn Scott was TO tell
MIR. WISER to set the pan on
the washstand at the back Of the corridor
W. Banks was TO give the signal whether to
strike or not the signal was to be, IL there
was anybody outside Of the corridor. he
was TO whistle; If not, to keep still all
the prisoners were to make all the dirt pos.
sible in front of their cells, 50 as to have an
excuse to have the pan set on the wash
stand ! brought the piece Of iron | was TO
strike with and showed il 10 the boys il
come from the upper cells It was broken
from the water fixtures in trying to get the
plug out TO let the dry water run of,
and was placed close to the corridor so II
could be reached from the lower
row Of cells; / do not know how il came
down, because did not see IL until was
trying 10 lind something TO strike with;
found IL then In the empty cells; Sunday
morning came; ! got up early and went
into the corridor and told the boys to re-
member their parts, and II there was
chance ! would carry out the programme;
Mr.. WISER came in about $50 and there
was no whistle, 50 got ready 10 strike him; |
he came in and walked back 10 the back |
end Of the corridor; when he turned
around and went about three |
feet struck HIM on the top
n the head; be turned half round and |
reached for bis pistol. and | struck him |
again; be said something ! could not I'M /
ierstand, but sounded as near as ] could /
tell "Stop there!" and looked around. /
struck him again, and be fell against the /
corridor. then on bis back on the floor: / 1
stopped and got bis watch and pistol and \
started out, when two or three Of the boys /
said Throw on the brakes" ] turned /
and threw the brakes OF aud started for the /
wood. ! did not look behind me till / was |
IN the woods looked around !
and saw S. Webb and u.
Compton; the boys were 10 -
% 81 Loui. or Chicago. ID. Compton was % /
20 home and hide until the DAY Of his trial. /
4 be could give bond. JOrdOn Scott wa. |
% 70 somewhere about eighteen miles. /
\ here be could hide until be heard from bis /
.ase do not remember where Sam Webb I
vas 10 20. W Banks vas % 20 10 BremOnd /
Brown did not tell whire be was 20 70. I'll
rs q the boys were captured. they were |
o lav the Whole business on me. because ] /
I'D not live here. and did not expect % be /
aught. FEED Z. WAITE.