The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-05-25


and assembled il with firm tread and
took his stand on the drop immedi-
ately under the rope, and surveyed
the immense cOncourse of people
that stood around with a steady,
unfinching gaze, and then examined
the drop and the scaffold. He was
accompanied upon the scafold by
Sheriff and Jailor Arrowsmith,
Sheriff Tim johnson and three
deputies, Revs. A. NJ. Ezell, G. H.
Shelldrake and J. B. Anderson, and
Mr.. Cook, reporter for the Banner.
Rev. A. NJ. Ezell said:
Il am requested by the prisoner
to state that at the age of six years
his mother died and asked him to
meet her in heaven. He says he
has been saved since last Sunday.
l Intercepted him as to the grounds
upon which he was saved and he
said through faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ He says in his mental
struggles he experienced but two
great difficulties, the first being to
forgive his enemies and crush
hatred from his heart, and the
second to give up his wife and three
little children. He informs me that
he has no hatred now for any one
and is resigned to part with his
wife and children, for his relatives
have promised to care for them.
He says he has no confession to
make" prompted by prisOner).
''He requests me to state that the
evidence is all entirely circumstan-
tial.''
Rev. a. NJ. Ezell then read the
Goth Psalm, and sang three stanzas
of the hymn: 'Ah, let this feeble
body fail"
Rev. G. H. ShelIdrake then prayed
fervently that the great multitude
might see the end of this man and
take warning to prepare and that
the prisoner might make no mistake
in his own condition, and for the
widow and orphans.
HIS TALK ON THE GALLONS.
Rea then in low, steady tones said:
eTo the reporters 1 want to say
that 1 have no more to say than l
have already said. If l had got a
new trial 1 could have got at my
liberty. There was some enmity on
the part of witnesses. pushed my
trial too quick, the evidence being
all circumstantial, and after hearing
it arbitrated if l could have had
new trial 1 could have had my
liberty to-day. But that was not
granted me and 1 have to pay the
penalty of the most disgracefulest
death. 1t pains me to know that 1
have to pay the penalty Of the
cowardly act. 1 feel grateful to
the people of Giles for the effort to
get the sentence committed, but they
were unfortunate in getting it com
muted. 1 could have gained my
liberty. 1 am truly thankful to the
good people of Nashville. l had
petitions presented to the governor
from the most prominent men. If
there are any good people in the
world l believe they are in Nash
vile. l could have been acquitted
upon a doubt. The public is aware
that many innocent men have been
convicted on circumstantial evil
dence But l did not see my danger
and prepare for it and now l have
to stand before this large audience
and pay a disgraceful death 1t
leaves three little children a slight
tremor of voice. to grieve over my
death, and hope the people Of Giles
will not look down on them or throw
up to them the way their father had
to die, and I feel that no man of
pure heart would do it. But now
have to die, but the best part of it
is l am prepared. The two greatest
difficulties, as you have already been |
told, was to forgive my enemies and |
to leave my wife and three little
children. l will state as to what |
mas been reported about me it
troubles me not. 1t may look |
strange to see a man before a large
audience in my place and say he
lad no dread on his mind. l am in
Is perfect peace as [ ever felt at
church or elsewhere, for 1 have been
warned often enough. This is all 1
nave to say"
Rev. A. NJ Ezeu then offered a
ervent prayer, impIoring blessing
lpon the widow and children and
praying that if there was anything
Use upon the prisoners mind which
" saying or confessing would bring
lin greater peace that he might be
,iven grace to say it.
Sheriff ArrOwsmith then read the
leath warrant and the reprieve. He
cad with steady voice, though the
atal papers he held in his hand
.uivered in response to a slight
Rea again said.
well, will state to the reporters
hat I had several opportunities to
scape. When l was arrested at
Nv house l stayed in my wife 5 room
7hile the guards were away out on
porch and there was a back door /
could have got out at. And also
rent to a spring some seventy-fye I.
r forty yards from the house. But
expected the law to protect me {
nd it has not done so. The people
re aware of the uncertainty of cir {
evidence and that l c
ever got the benefit of that un c
ertainty. So good-by to the c
ublic"
The attendants then tied his L
nkles stoutly together, removed 7
he handouts and bound his elbows Z
but so loosely that he could a
Zach his face with his hand o
Thile this was being done he con- d
nued: Z
L would like to state further to P
lie people of Giles county to never
{ another man die on circumstan- q
al evidence. Taking life is not Il
hat some people think it is, but "
the jury can stand it can. Let O
lem think of their little children G.
Id hope to God they will pray for IS
rgiveness for what they have II
,ne." "
Turning to Sheriff Arrowsmith Il
upbraided him bitterly for taking OF
ira precautions to guard him dur II