Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-05-14
uI,M A Hoss."
Jerry Blalook, Murderer Of Thomas
Brandenburg,
Hung at Newport, Ark, in the
Presence of 1000 People.
Special to Little Rock Gazette.

Thomas Brandenburg, from Ken
lucky, mades his appearance in Jack
son county. he was poor, but afte
working soma time as a laboreF, LEASED
farm of W. D. Csrter, near Switton
Carter had made considerable money
but becoming tired of hard work, de
cided to open q saloon at Swifton
which be did, but the boisterous life
did not suit him, and he decided t
return to farming, and wanted hii
plantation. N.
RRANDENBURG DECLINED TO aIvI
1T UP,
and Carter threatened, to have him
put out of the way unless he did
Carter finally obtained permission
from Brandenburg to occupy part of q
double log house on the farm, and
into it. Jerry Blalock, the man exc.
cuted to-day, was Carter's brothertin,
law, and it is charged. that Carter EN-.
ployed him to murder Brandenburg.
At all events, the murder Of Brandon
burg by Blalock was proved at the
trial, and to-day, when interviewed
by Gazette reporter, Blalock ad-
mitted his guilt. The murder was
committed Monday afternoon, Novem
Der q, 1880,
IN THE PRESENCE OF CARTER,
his wife. Mrs. Blalock, jim. FLOYD
and Nina Blalock. Brandenburg was
riding horseback with Jim Floyd
when murdered, and Blalock ran out
into the field where the men were at
work, firing his revolver and exclaim-
ing, I'm a hossl" etc. He then
brought up the men to see the work,
after which he hunted up the officers
and surrendered himself. In 1881 he
had mistrial and was released on
$4,000 bail, although it was proven at
the trial that there was bargain be-
tween Carter and Blalock.
CARTER DIED IN JUNE, 1882,
according to many reports drinking
himself to death with remorse at the
part he had played. Then the other
bOndsmen surrendered Blalock, and
he was tried and convicted as hereto
fore reported.
The Gazette reporter being admit
ted to the Jail this forenoon by Sher-
iff Stephens, interviewed the con-
demned man at length. He was we'll
dressed, in suit OF black, clean shirt,
collar, cravat and cloth shoes. His
personal appearance was handsome;
his face bright, eyes clear blue, and
head Of excellent shape. Yes, It's
rough" he said,
FOR ME TO DIE IN THIS WAY,
for am only "a years of age. was
born in this county on the 9th day Of
March, 1859, aid am not in the least
afraid to die. | have been twice mar
ried, and have had two children, one
by each wife, but both are dead. |
don't deny killing Brandenburg, but
do most solemnly swear that it was
not for Carter or for Carriers money.
1t was on account of two women, one
a widow and one grass widow, and
both bad characters. Their names are
Mary Sadler and Sarah Turpin. /
have
FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS,
two gold watches and two gold rings
secreted on the Bandy farm. This,
many will believe, | stole from some
or received from Carter, but won it
at poker in a saloon at Swifton, from
an Illinois man named Spencer, who
was drunk at the time. | also killed
Charles Linsey in April, 1873, six
miles south Of Jenesboro, Graighead
county. | asSassinated him for break
ing oil an engagement and threw his
body into hollow in the forest. l
believe it has never been found. /
then
MARRIED ANOTHER GIRL FOR SPITE.
| left her in few months, and fed to
Modem, Mo-, gambled away what
money | had, returned secretly to
Jonesboro and burned the court
house, where there was an excitement
for me; thence went TO Swiiton,
where nearly murdered man named
Williams for assaulting my sister, and
then went into the employ of Carter,
and you know the rest. /
In the Jail he was visited by his
sister, the widow of Carter, and he
betrayed some emotion, telling her to
be good woman. Shortly before his
departure
HIS WIFE ARRIVED;
they embraced and wept in each
others arms until II o'clock, when he
took sip Of liquor, saying: II drink
a farewell toast. Good luck to my
darling witel Farewell, my favorite
sisterp Then the procession formed
and moved to the gallows, the con
demned and the officers in carriages.
The distance was three~iourths OF a
mile and all along the road he bowed
and spoke to friends. At ten min
utes after IL the guards formed
around the scaffold and one minute
later he walked up the stair without a
tremor.
LET ME- HAVE HALF AN HOUR"
he said with a smile, turning to
Sheriff Stephens. 1t was granted and
for twenty nine minutes he addressed
the crowd Of not less than 1000 men,
women and children, which surged
and groaned below him. He warned
the young men of the result of
whisky, gambling, bad men and bad
women, and said these causes led to
the breaking of his neck. 1T is bet
ter that l should de-" he yelled, "for
had | came clear l would have made
away with two more men. Dear boys,
you who are here to see poor Jerry's
neck break, beware; keep out Of ball
rooms, bad company, or you will land
where you see me" He called his
former evil associates by name and
told them the necessity Of reformation,
AT twenty one minutes To noon he