Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-02
MET RIs Doom.
Execution Of Sandy Matthews.
His Last Hours on Earth, and
How He Used Them.

jail yard to-day at eleven minutes past
one o'clock.
He was interviewed between nine
and ten o'clock this forenoon, and
when visited by the journalist was
found ina cell on the first floor Of the
Jail. He seemed readily inclined to
talk, and said he partook of his supper
last night with a relish. He also en-.
joyed a hearty breakfast this morn
ing.
II have made my peace with God"
he said, and | am ready to die. 1
read the Bible until thelbell tolled
for twelve last night, and then l laid
down and slept until sunrise. know
i is sweet to live, and | am no more
anxious to die than my fellow men. l
would rather go the pe~nitentiary for
life like the other (Bill Rivers, but l
have no hopes of a pardon. If the
Governor intends to do anything FOR
me nobody has said a word to me. I
don't think men who have families
thought deep enough before sentencing
me to death. My wife is a good
woman and she will be left in want.
She has been barefooted and / gave
her my old shoes. l always provided
for her when | was free. l worked
hard aud never robbed anybody. They
tried to bring it out in court that
killed Polk for his money, but l did
not. He had only FIVE dollars and l
did not take it. BE was trying to
destroy my peace Of mind, and for that
reason | made way with him. A great
deal was sworn falsely against me, but
| don't bear any hard feelings against
them. Ifeel that they can destroy my
body, which must return to mother
earth, but Jesus will take my soul. A
great many people think l am AFRAID
to die, but l am not" Here the
murderer grinned). Sheriff Athy
stepped up about this time and babe
Sandy good morning. He replied
cheerfully, and asked when he would
Ibe called. When told that the execu
ton would take place between twelve
aud one o'clock, he asked to be allowed
to go upon the scaffold early, so that
he could talk to the people.
He would like to have
at least an hour and a
half, he said, in advising his
friends and the people generally how
they must live.
In answer to a question, Sandy said
his favorite chapter 10 the Bible was
the 22d chapter of Revelations. He
also delighted in reading the 18th Of
st. Matthew, which told Of the be-
trayal of the Savior.
Sheriff Athy had purchased a white
shirt and black suit for the condemned
man in which to array him.
The crowd began gathering about
breakfast time, and swelled constantly
up to the time the drop fell. Nearly
every one Of the six hundred printed
permits were taken up, besides ma.
merous written passes. A number Of
persons gained admittance to the jail
yard before eleven o'clock, and the
street about the Jail was already filed
with a dense crowd Of negroes at that
time. Several ladies mingled with the
spectators, and one OF. two brought
little children with them to view the
fearful drama. At ten minutes to
eleven o'clock Rev. Father Aloysius
entered Matthews cell and spent some
time with him ministering to his spir-
itual wants.
The murderer at intervals spoke
freely to those about him. He ear
ried a handkerchief in his hand with
which he occasionally brushed away
the great.dropsof perspiration from his
brow, and he constantly reiterated the
assertion that he was not afraid to die
but as the awful moment drew near it
was plain that his resolution was fast
oozing from his fingers ends. 1t was
also plain that he entertained hopes of
a reprieve up to the very moment of
his execution. He was asked by q
visitor if he expected a pardon and
even while he denied having any hope
the very mention Of the word par
don" caused a vague expression TO fit
over his face which plainly said
while there is life there is hope"
He claimed to be in better health
than for a week and suffered no pain
except a little neuralgia 10 his head
During the forenoon Sandy was Wis
tied by various persons, some being
acquaintance and others only curious
to. see how a condemned man could
demean himself. Deputy Sheriff
Charles Newell read him the Gov
errors death warrant about clever
O'Clock, and when he had finished
Sandy remarked, call l have to sa7
in reply to that, Mr.. Newell, is ! wisl
you would give me a quarter for m,
wife. The Deputy happened to b
short of ready cash, and told Sandy h
had only one dime in the world, an,