The Butler weekly times., 1889-05-15

the mems hands behind them, Dave
was pinioned first. then Will, and
Mathews last. Mathews was put
upon chair at the window. He
protested his innocence to the
crowd said: Farewell vain world
Dave climbed the steps to the scat
fold first, followed by his son. The
Rev. Mr.. Horn read a scriptural
passage. As he read scream from
Walkers wife was heard outside the
enclosure The Rev. Messrs Hanks
and Grayson We're on the platform
and after the reading of the script,
ure they sang.
SCENES ON THE sCAEFoLD.
Mathews trembled as he went vi
the steps, but. surprising to al. did
not break down. As the ministers
sang Mathews broke III with Thank
God The Rev, II, Horn read
again from Job. ana prayed: 'Heav-
enly Father remember these men,
remember thy sons words forgive
my eneuies for they know no; what
they do We ask You to give moral
and christian faith 10 their friends
Bless and remember their families.
. Our Father, our last request is to
give them moral courage to meet
thei., fate. Amen" Mathews said:
L an prepared / hope to meet
! YOU in Heaven The minister
shook hands with the prisoners.
! When Sheriff Johnson asked AIath-
ews if had anything to say he repeat
ed his declaration OF innocence. Dave
Walker said he was fully prepared
to meet his God. Young Walker
said: I'VE will meet you in heaven"
The sheriff first adjusted the moose
about Mathews neck and then about
Dave Walkers. Matthews said:
"Oh God. did I ever think I would
die like this As the rope was ad-
iusted about Will Walkers neck he
muttered prayer with his eyes
closed. The black cap was put OIL
VIII first. then on Dave and then on
Mathews. Just before this was done
father and son kissed each other
John Mathews, just before he drop,
ped, asked everyone present who
would help his family ii in need to
hold up their hands. Every man:
hand went up. He then requested
Drs. Fullback and Elkins to admins
ter to them if sick. Both promised
that they would. Mathews last re
quest of the sheriff was that the
straps and rope be removed from
him before his people saw his body
When Will Walker turned to hi
father and asked that he kiss hin
and when their lips met Sherif
johnson himself gave way Th
tears streamed down the two men.
, faces as they turned and took thei
places for the drop. Mathews talk
!, ed piously up to the moment the tra]
fell, frequently repeating texts TO,
| his children to heed.
: s1cKENING scENE.
The trap was sprung and the meI
went down. Will Walker feet touch
ed the ground, as did his fathers
; Both struggled frightfully. The,
! were raised and gurgling sound
came from their throats. The bloo
trickled down their breasts. Th
,, knot in Will Walkers moose gay
way and the young man fell spraw
} ing on the ground. He lay ther
and groaned, His father was 40,
dying but still struggling Tn
!, sheriff and his deputies held Dav
up, shortened the rope and loose
+, the rope until knot was tied in i
!, Not until then 6ld Dave Walker
feet clear the ground. After til
loop knot in the rope had been tie
t Dave again swung from the rope
This time his feet did not touch tn
{ ground. His struggles and moan
were frightful. Meantime VIII. hi
boy. was on the ground comm
back to coEciousness. His frs
/ words -1ere 8 PRAYER. After Day