St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-05-11
MURDERED BY LAW.
Bungling Execution of the Three
Bald KnObDerS.


OZARK, Mo-, May 1O.-The carpenters
gave the scaffold it's finishing touches
last evening ana everything was ready
by O'Clock. William Walker was bap-
tized at 6 p. m. by immersion in bath
basin carried into the jail. The scene
was very affecting. John Matthews
made a long prayer which could be dis
tinctly heard in the street fronting the
jail. The prisoners ate their supper
peared very quiet, except Matthews,
who is taking his fate very hard. He
passed restless night, praying at short
intervals, asking the Lord to
~ GIVE HIM STRENGTH
to go through the ordeal, and claiming
he was martyr. He did not sleep over
two hours during the night. The two
Walkers retired about IL o'clock, went
to sleep and did not wake until after 4
o'clock. They stated that they rested
well. They were up early and ate
their breakfast at the usual hour. The
Jail yard was full of guards armed with
Winchesters, shot guns and revolvers.
and were in charge OF Capt. G.. w. Tay-
lOr, who was foreman of the grand jury
which indicted the Bald Knob
bers. Matthew's wife and mother
came in last evening and sew
eral other of his relatives are here.
Divine services were opened in the jail
at 7:3O O'Clock, conducted by Revs.
Thomas Hanks, ID. E. Graystone and T.
r. Horn, assisted by few Christian
ladies. Matthews took part in the eX-
erciseS and delivered an earnest prayer
in loud voice. William Walker also
led in prayer once. At S:53 o'clock the
sheriff entered the Jail and
READ THE DEATH WARRANT
to the doomed men, after which Thomas
Delaney, one of their attorneys, was ad-
mitted to have an interview and bid
them farewell. John Matthews came to
the window and had a conversation
with correspondent. He said: 81
have to die; but, thank God, l can say
l am innocent and have told the truth
all aolg about this matter. | have
nothing to regret. Invent out through
the hole, not because [ was guilty, but
the will of God that l should die, and
ought to be proud of it. 1 was a soldier
in the federal army, and am proud of
nv record. l am willing for the people
who have known me all my life to say
what kind of man l have been." At
9:10 a. m. the prisoners commenced
dressing themselves
FOR THE sCAFToLD.
They were dressed with white shirts,
linen collars, black cravats, low slippers
and black coat, vest and paints. The
jury and reporters were admitted to-
leaving his cell, John Matthews pro-
al o6 in
The sheriff helped Matthews up the
steps. Yourg Walker followed with a
firm step, his father following close be-
hind, as firm as ever. At the trap, a
short prayer was delivered by Rev. t.
B. Horn, after which all joined in sing
ing. Rev. Il. B. Horn rendered selec-
ton from the book OF Job. Rev.
Thomas Hanks delivered beautiful
prayer. The moose was adjusted at $40.
John Matthews said he had nothing
to say. he was there, but took no part
III the crime. Matthews called on all
who were willing to help his little ones
to hold up their hands. Nearly every
one in his sight held up their hands.
The black caps were adjusted at 9:51.
At 9:53 the drop fell. John Matthews
fell praying. The stretch of the rope
let all fall to the ground. The rope
broke and William Walker fell loose
and lay there
STRUGGLING AND GROANING.
He talked FOR three minutes, when he
was taken up by the sheriff and depu-
ties on the scafo!d. Dave Walker was
drawn up and died in about fifteen min
utes. Matthews lived about thirteen
minutes, and died with his feet on the
ground. The scene was horrible in the
extreme. Matthews and Dave Walker
were cut down at 1910. The trap was
again adjusted, and William Walker
lifted helpless and grOaning and strug-
CLING, and almost insensible, and the
rope again adjusted and the trap again
sprung. This time the descent came to
a sudden stop with his feet full thirty
inches from the ground, and he died
without struggle.
RECORDS AND PEDIGREEs.
"3ail Creek' Pave Walker, accord