The Russellville Democrat., 1886-05-26
From DEMOCRAT Extra. aad.
 LEE BARNES,
THE CONDEMNED MURDER
 FER OF CHAS. HOLMAN,
Expiates His Crime on the Gal
 lows.
DOVER, ARK, May 2l, l P. m

Expiates His Crime on the Gal
 lows.
 DOVER, ARK., May 21, l P. m. Before 9 o'clock thls a. in. great crowds of people from nelghboring towns and from the country literally poured into town to witness the ex ecntion of Lee Barnes for the mur der of Charles Hoffman, a gambler, in Conway county, on the 2Oth of November, 1885, and brought to this county on change of venue. It Is estimated that there are nearly three thousand persons present.
 At 1920 D. m. the condemned man in custody of Sheriff Quinn and eight deputies, mounted the scaffold with firm and steady step. and plain ly cvinccd by his demeanor that he was reconciled to his fate, and ready to meet death to atone for his crime. The scaffold, erected on the north side of the jail-yard was surrounded with rope fence, and no one but reporters, guards ana Barnes spiritual advisers were al lowed within it.
 As Barnes mounted the scaffold, he shook hands with Rev's. Hicks, Kirkscey, Jolly and others, and said he never felt better ln life.
 By his request the hymn sWhat a friend we have in Jesus" was sung by an improvised choir, in which Barnes joined, singing strong and firm soprano, his voice rising consid- erahly above all others; several broke down; but he continued until the hymn was finished. Sheriff Quinn then read the death warrant, and Tn answer to the question "whether he had anything to say" Barnes re- piled, II hayc' and then spoke as | follows in clear and distinct voice:
 Fcllow-CItizcns of Popc Conway and ad- | joining counties Ladies and Gentlemen: 1 am here to be executed for q terrible crime. I killed Charles Holman for his money, and the pun | ishment am now to suffer is just. My fate should be warning to all. My first sins were small, but l went on from bad to worse until I could commit murder for ten dollars, and even for no money consideration if l did not like man. But there is one crime money could not hire me to commit, and that is to murder a woman or a child.
 Here he gave detailed histo ry of the murder, all of which is embraced In the statement given elsewhere.
 John Cullins and Russell Watson agreed to help me kill Holman, but their hearts failed them when the time come. and had to do the deed myself. have committed dread ful crime and am willing to atone for it by giving up my own life. I am ready to meet my God in peace. Cullins and Watson had money and friends and Cullins gets of with Fl years and Watson goes unpuuished. l had neither money or friends, but l am ready and wiling to go.
 Now, fellow citizens, l come to the hardest part Of It all. A darllng girl whom I loved better than life and was engaged to marry at the time I was arrested, married the man who prosecuted me at the ex- amining trial. l bear no malice toward her, but the recollection of II grIcves me far more than to hang to- day.
 This is all have to say. May everybody take warning from me.
 While the song "Jesus paid il all'' was being sung Barnes embraced each one on the scatfold and bid them an affectionate good bye, with the injunction Meet me in Heaven"
 Rev. Mir. Jolly offered up fervant prayer, during which Barnes prayed audibly for himself, his brother, and sinners everywhere. After the pray CT Barnes stepped forward and said q want to say that the statements l gave to the newspaper reporters to- day are correct. Good bye to the world.'
 He then stepped to the center ot the trap door, with body erect and without the quiyer of muscle al lowed the sheriif to pinion his limbs aud adjust the black cap oyer bis face shutting out the ight Of the world. With the prayer May tue Lord have mercy op bis soup' Sheriff Quinn pulled the lever that launch-