The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-16
THE GALLONS.
Three Bald Knobbers Expiate
Their Crimes on the
Scaffold.
A Bungling Job-A Rope Slips,
Creating a Scene OF
Horror.

ST. LOUIS. Mo-, May 1O.-The three
noted Bald Knobbers of this state, Dave
Walker, his son William, and John
Matthews, who have been under sentence
of death at Ozark for some time past,
were hanged this morning. They passed
a fair night, and ate their breakfast
heartily at the usual time. Religious ser
vices were held at o'clock, Matthews and
William Walker taking an active part in
them. They then dress ed for the gsllows
and shortly after were taken to the
scaffold. The sheriff helped Matthews up
the steps. Young Walker followed with
firm step, his father following close
behind as firm as ever. At the trap a short
prayer was delivered by Rev. 7. B. Horn,
after which all Joined in singing. Rever-
end Thos. Hanks delivered prayer. The
moose was adjusted at $40. John Mat
thews said he had nothing to add. He was
there, but took no part in the crime.
Matthews called on all who were willing to
help his little children to hold up their
hands. Nearly every one in his sight held
up their hands. The black caps were ad-
justed at 9:51. At 1858 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 struggling and
grooming. He talked for three minutes,
when he was taken up by the sheriff and
deputies and again placed on the scaffold.
Dave Walker was drawn up, and died In
about 10 minutes. Matthews lived about
Is 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 gurgling, and almost in
sensible. The rope was again adjusted
and the trap again sprung. This time the
descent came to sudden stop with his
feet full thirty inches from the ground,
and he died without struggle.
"Bull Greek Dave" Walker, according to
his own story, was born in Christian
county, KY, in June, 1843 His parents
moved to Christian county, Mo-, when he
was IA years of age and settled near
Sparta. The section they settled on was
at that time part of Green county. They
had hard life up to the war. Dave en-
listed in Company M, Sixth Missouri
Volunteers, in 1862, but after few months
service, was discharged, as he was
under age. He went back home, but had
a stronger inclination for war than ever,
and enlisted in Company Fl of the Six
teenth Missouri. His age was not found
out and he went through the war.
After the war he returned to Bull Greek
and entered forty acres of government
land. This was his homestead. He
Joined the Bald Knobbers three years ago,
when the first company was formed
in Christian county (the Bull
Greek company and was made
chief. He claimed that beside
the pouring out of liquor at Chadwick S
saloon and the whipping of John Evans
for "cutting up in church," his company
had not done any regulating. 1t was the
tility of the Edens.
VIM. Walker is the Oldest son of the
Bald Knob chief. He was born March 5,
1870. He lived on farm with his father
all his life and Joined the Bald Knobbers
at the same time. He was wounded
in the, groin at the Green Edens'
killing, and that night was taken TO his
uncle's house in Douglas county. He was
captured later By Sheriff johnson, with
the assistance of j. D. Newton, brother
of Walkers sweetheart.
John Matthews was born on Bull creek,
in CHRISTIAN county, five miles from Chad
wick, April 20, 1S4S. He was in the Union
army during the war, enlisted in the
Forty. sixth Missouri. He took
part in several engagements Incident
to General Prices raid. He had nine chill
dren, most of them small. He was Il
member of the Baptist church and had
been Bald Knobber but two months when
the shooting occurred. His son, Jimmie,
IA years old, was at Eiens house the night
of the killing, and was indicted with his
father, but was released by the court, af-
ter furnishing bond of $1,000, on account
nf his uODth