The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-09
THE DOOMED MAN.
THOMAS JEFFERSON AWAITING THE
ARRIVAL OF THE FATAL DAY.
He Insists on His Innocence OF Any
Crime and Claims That His Life Was
Sworn Away by Unfriendly Wit
nesses--His Story.

William Ragland, on October 10, was
visited by an APPEAL reporter yesterday
at the Jail, and, through the courtesy OF
Jailer Mason, an interview Of some length
was had with him in tho corridor OF the
lower cage. jefferson Is stout, COM
pactly built mulatto negro, thirty-two
years OF age, who weighs about 100 pounds
lie is not i'll favored and does not resemble
the orthodox murderer. There is SIMS
ter sheer about the corners OF his mouth
when he laughs. Otherwise there is moth
ing peculiar about his appearance.
lie is very laxative and tells
his version OF the trouble with
great volubility and earnestness and
does not seem to realize at all the fate that
awaits him. There Is by common consent
among jail birds a throne upon which the
greatest criminal sits, sovereign OF ALL and
receives the tribute Of popular admiration
rs his right. This place is now held by
Jefferson, and 80 impressed is he with the
dignity OF the position that he cannot
conceal the pride he feels ia the distinc-
ton. lilo In sentenced 10 DO hanged, but
he cannot bring himself TO believe that the
sentence Of the law will ever be executed
and. therefore, has no fears. lie has
great faith In his attorneys ability to Sc
cure Communication Of his sentence, and
seems 10 think that life sentence in the
penitentiary would be a matter Of small
| moment
There is an interest which adheres TO all
condemned men, DO they white or black.
4 l...N l.
maintained that II comes principally from
the fact that society, whom taking life, can
never altogether quiet It's conscience or
ceeding the bounds Of right. Tho law OF
seli-delcnse authorizes lilo TO DO taken
when necessary TO protect life or limb,
but many think that tho authority ceases
when the danger ceases, and when pris-
oner is manacled and In Jail he Is no
longer dangerous, and society can have no
demanded an eye for an eye and tooth
for a tooth was exploded by tho command:
Resist not evil" Punishment OF crime Is
the natuyo OF revenge. Society claims
that punishment Is 10 prohibit crime by
making an example Of criminals, thus de-
terring others from becoming guilty OF
similar oilenses Society argues thus, and
vet society never can feel fully satisfied
that tho liio OF Brown shall be taken In
order TO deter Jones from the possible
commission Of crime. Society Is III at
ease when taking liio where the law OF
self defense cannot be invoked, anl there
fore a lively interest Is felt In the closing
days OF all those condemned 10 death.
And then death. that unwelcome guest,
who pays each mortal but one visit, Is q
fascinating study. Death in any form, by
fro or flood, by knife or pistol, Is bad
enough. Torture at the stake, when the
curling flames reach up, the sibilant hiss OF
the surpent ns he goes 10 strike the fatal
blow, or death In almost any other form
Is shrouded and concealed, more or less,
by attendant excitement, and loses half
ia horrors. But death by hanging, where
everything In regular, cool. mechanical and
by process OF law, Is awful. You see the
condemned; he walks and moves. His
pulses beat regularly. His hands are
warm. The flush OF health Is upon his
check. Ho hears, and sees, and feels like
other morlAls, and the light OF human in
tclligcnco glisiens In his eyes. Tho rope Is
adjusted aud the trapsprung, when, prcstol
All that was Ia not, aud there only rc-
mains lumpish. insensiblo clodl The
metamorphasis Is sudden, complete. final.
IL IN Interesting 10 converse with one
starting ON a journey 10 an unknown land
even when return IA possible, but there u
pathetic interest connected with the
ideas and expectations OF one who Is b. be
sent by his fellow man into the mysterious
beyond, whence the echo Of a falling foot
step never comes.
Jefferson admits the homicide, but dc
mics the criminality OF the act. lilo has
rehearscd his story ~ often that ho eyi.
. IDENTITY believes Il himself.
at was Just this very way" he said.
: "When ! went 10 Ragand's house wa
, looking for my woman 80 that ] could gc
my clothes. II was raining and was wet
Ragland insisted on my coming In, and
l when / finally entered no assaulted m,
with piece OF scaniling. lilo hi
! me several times and thought Of thI
razor which had borrowed to shave Will
next morning. The room was dark becaus'
Ragland put out the light and | couldn'
: see him. tried 10 escape but fell over
0 trunk, and In rising made a slash at hin
!. with my razor and cut him. couldn't tel
!. where or how. then gotto the door and
4 escaped"
4 "But they say YOU held back his hca,
n with one hand aud cut his throat with III,
olher2"
"Thoy say 20, but Il was not so.
could not hold that man; he was too pow
o crful. never had my hand ON him Il
/. my life. Witnesses camo In and awor
4 things that were untrue. They did no
see aud could not see, and they did no
! know. They sworo my liio away and
!, can't help IT,"
q Does ,hc,hought Of hanging worry yo
"a much7'
!, "No, sir. feel satisfied that what
have done was done In self defense. II
" had not killed him, no would have kilc
, me. i feel certain he would have don
IL ~.
u Have you any hopes Of a Communication
a. Of scnlcncc7"
"lcs, sir; think the Governor will son,
mo 10 the penitcntiary. That Il ba
enough, but L is better than hanging"
Am YOU preparing for the next worl
nowadays9n
Eyes; I'm man that prays every day
! think there IL a heaven and hell, and
believe In the Bible"
'Supposing the sheriff should come I
for You now, would you have courag
enough 10 walk up TO tho scaiIold7''
81 don't know. don't think IN eve
70 on the scailold."
lilo was cool aud undislurbcd until IN,
reporter said Jefferson. they are mai
ing new homp rope tot you. DO 70
think that looks like pcnilcntiaryf'
~ lilo suddenly became agitaicd and pickle
n, ncrvonsly with his fingers. "No, I can