The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1890-11-05
THE END OF VOOLFOLK.
he CLAIMS EtS IYF0c NC: .T0 TIE
VERY LdST.
Various Opinions as to HIS cunt Expressed.
He DIED Rrdge.

Vdrfous Opinions as to HIS Cunt Expressed.
He DIED Braye.
Tom Voolfolk is dead at last.
He expiated his terrible crime on the
gallows in Perry last Wednesday after
noon, at 80 o'clock.
The hanging was attended by an i'm
mense throng of people. There was a
great rush for the hotels the night be-
fore, but no accommodations could be Sc
cured. Many slept on the floors, while
Others spent the night in chairs.
Your reporter went to the Jail at 80.
Brul'y, of the Constitution, was on the
inside. Voolfolk awoke from a sound
sleep shortly afterwards and talked very
freely. He did not fear approaching
events and seemed anxious for it re-
marking that he wanted it effectively
done. His breakfast, which consisted of
pig feet, steak, eggs, biscuit and coffee,
was ordered at $40, OF which he partook
sparingly
AT o'clock Mr.. Cowan, his brother
in-law, of Hawkinsville, and MI Shack
leford, of Athens, entered the Jail with
his burial suit. They were accompanied
by Win Nelson, a Perry barber, who
shaved Tom.
At 9:l0 Revs. DR.. Warren, of Macon.
Moorehouse, of Perry, Brewton and
Batemap, of Fort Valley, entered.
Prayer was offered DR.. Warren then
read prepared statement to Tom and
asked him to sign it, which he did un-
hesitatingly The ministers and sheriff
then left the Jail. At 10 o'clock Sheriff
Cooper tied the rope on the beam above
the gallows, tried the trap and found
everything all right.
The undertaken arrived with his coffin
at lI:3O, followed by Sheriff Cooper at
1880, who Immediately had the grounds
on the inside of the ropes cleared. and
no one was permitted to enter except re-
porters, doctors and intimate friends of
the sheriff.
AT LOS the carriage containing the
doomed man, escorted by the Perry Ri
fies, was observed upon the hill leading
to the gallows. On arriving the crowd
sWgcd to retain their positions. Wool
folk, handcutfed, alighted, and follow
ing Sheriff Cooper, walked firmly up the
gallows steps and surveyed the crowd
seemingly unconcerned.
The handouts were then removed Inv
the sheriff. Earnest prayer was then of
tered up by Revs. Warren, Moorehouse
and Brewton, which was listened to ST
lently and intently. Then Voolfolk took
a paper from his lower left vest pocket
and handed it to DR.. Warren, who stepped
forward, and in clear, ringing tone
read the last and diving statement of
Thomas G. Voolfolk, as follows:
81, Thomas G. Voolfolk, realizing the
existence of an infinite, wise and holy
God, so as to meet Him, knowing all
that have ever done, and fully under
standing that l must stand before the
judgment bar of God, and that to-day, in
few hours, / shall be called into His
presence, do solemnly declare nv inno-
cence, and leave as my last declaration
that | did not take the life of my father
or any member of his family, or have
any knowledge of the person or persons
who did the murderous deed.
THOMAS G. VOOLFOLK.
Voolfolk then stepped forward and
with closed eyes and upturned face be-
gan:
'Oh, thou Omnipotent Being who pre-
sides over all things, hear this my last
prayer, my last petition to Thy throne
Of grace. Thou knowest the innermost
thoughts of my heart, Thou knowest the
sins have committed, and for them |
beg forgiveness. Oh, God. now have
mercy on my soul, which l now cntrust
TO Thy keeping. Make it pure and clean.
God bless my sisters. Bless those who
have gone before me. Forgive all those
who have abused me, and accept my
soul, for Jesus sake. Amen
Having concluded, he stepped back
and shook hands with DIR. Warren and
babe him good bye. He then bid good
bye to the sheriff, ministers, reporters
ard his brother-in-law,
The moose was then adjusted around
his neck, his arms and ankles securely
pinioned, and the black cap drawn over
his iace, which shut out forever the sun
light of this world to Tom Voolfolk.
Several friends advanced and spoke to
him, among item Sheriff Cooper, who
asked him if he had been treated right
by him since in his custody, to which
he replied that he had. Sheriff Cooper
then stepped forward and pulled the
lever quickly.
The drop fell at 1871, distance of six
and half feet, and Woolfolk's spirit
vas ushered into the presence of the God
who gave 1t. In the ( Ill the knot slipp, d
around from behind the right ear to a
position under the chin, exposing
about one third of his face, which at
first looked natural, but gradually turn
ed purple and then to a blush hue. Al
ter an elapse of Is minutes he was pro-
nomced dead, having died by strangula-
ton.
The body was cut down by the sheriff
and turned over to Mr.. Cowan, who
placed itin handsome casket and car
lied to HawAiHayille Tor intelment.
Life Is Misery
m thAngnp,Ig Of ,.....t.