The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-07-04
OXFORD, MISS.
DOC. BISHOP. THE MURDERER,
WHO WAS
Hanged at PittsbOrO on Friday Last
Sketch OF His Career-what He
Said Before Dying.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE APPEAL

lcoRREsPoNDENCE OF THE ArrEAL.l
OXFORD, MISS, July 3.-Doc W.
B shop, who was hung Friday last at
Pittsboro, Miss, for killing w. +.
Pics of Dallas, Texss, in Calhoun
county, October, 1884, was taken from
our jail on Friday morning, where he
had beeu confined for sate keeping
since his trial, to the place of execu-
ton, going via Coffeeville. The his
tory of tee trial and conviction Of
Bisnop, was given to the readers of
the APPEAL by its correspondent at
Pittsb 70, Immediately after his trial.
We do not therefore deem it necessa, Y
for us to give the circumstances OF the
killing. We will state, however, that
the evidence was altogether circum-
stantisl. Doc Bishop was born in
Manor county, Alabama, on October
9Th, 1857, consequently is twenty
nine years OF age. He is a splendid
specimen OF physical man, weighing
when in his normal condition a tIihe
over 200 pounds; be is six::feet two
inches; he wears bis coal
black hair carefully parted in
the middle after the latest dude ago.
ny; bis eye3 are very dark aud rest.
lees, seeming to take in everything
around him. His complexion, natu.
rally dark, has become bleached and
somewhat eallow from his long con-
finement. In his movements he is
quick and nervous He has had the
advantages of common school edu.
cation, and has been spending bis
last few days reading the Bible and
writing to his friends and relatives. 1t
was reported here that the condemned
man had been guilty OF a number oil
murders before coming to this county.
All such reports he denounces as false,
He denies having killed anybody be-
fore the difficulty with the Harrison
brothers at Dallas, Miss. Says, how
ever, he did shoot negro in LowLd 8
county, this Safe, about ten years
ago, but that the negro recovered. He
was shot in bis arm by Jim Lee in
Calhoun county during the summer of
1888. He claims that he was never
drunk but very few times in his life,
aud the day Of his difficulty with the
Harrisons he had only taken but one
small drink. He says he had spent
several years Of his life in Texas, Ar
kansas and the Indian Territory. Dur
ing his wandering he was engaged in
number OF personal difficulties, none
of which, however, he considered Be-
rious. Bishop profess that he is in
nocent of the crime for which he SUI
fered the penalty OF death; swears
that he never saw Wise, dead or alive;
says he believes he knows who COM
mitied the deed, but that he and Bob
Lamar are innocent: he further in.
sists that he naver enjoyed the privi-
lege of fair trial, and was very botter
against Judge Roam for not granting
him a change OF venue, when he, Ran,
knew that the sentiment OF the county
was almost unanimous against him.
Bishop was married to Miss Lamar
December 10, 1888. She Is sister OF
Bob Lamar, who is to be tried at the
next term of the Circuit Court in Cal
houn for the same crime for which his
brother-in-law now suffers the penalty
of death. He leaves his wife and two
children in destitute circumstances,
or, as he expressed it, TO the charities
OF an uncharitable world, he having
exhausted his resources in supporting
his family and trying to escape the
gallows since his surrender.
He professed religion yesterday
evening and joined the Episcopal
Church. Thinks he can 60 before mis-
Maker with clear conscience. To his
friends for their many kindnetsss to
him during his troubles, TO the minis
iels of Oxford for their Interest in his
behalf, to his jailor, TO the Sheriff and
his deputies, aud to his attorneys,
Messrs. Sullivan & Sullivan, who have
exerted themselves to their utmost
having done all that friends and coun-
sellers could do-t1 one aud all he re-
turns his heartfelt thanks. SLIP.