Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-07
DIED GAME.
The Triple Hanging Came OF Success
fully at Linden Yesterday.
Tom Miles. Fletcher Holden and Henry Holden
Paid the Death Penalty for the Mur-
der of James McGregor.
specisI TO the Gazette.

special TO the Gazette.
LINDEN, TEX, June 6.-TbTee ne
groes, Tom Miles and Henry and Fletcher
Holden, were hanged at 1926 D. m. at
this place to-day.
Tom and Henry died instantly, but
Fletcher suffered much, convulsively
lashing his hands, and drawing up his
body.
They died game.
The crowd was estimated at 1000.
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
The crime for which these negroes were
hanged to-day is as follows: On Sunday
morning, the 9Th day of December, 1889,
| the quiet city of Atlanta, in this county,
was shocked and dlsmayed ut dastardly
crime that had been committed in her
midst. The body of James McGregor, q
stranger, who only few days before had
cast his lot with these people was found
dead, mangled and mutilRted almost be-
yond description. The murderers hand
had emptied his pockets, and bloody
demon in human form had insti-
gated the foul deed. Excite
ment ran high and the citizens
of all classes of that town united in
resolution to hunt down aud punish the
murderers. Suspicion was directed to-
ward some negroes who were seen with
McGregor the evening before, and who
were drinking with him. Various cir
oumstances connected together made the
suspicious q certainty. Tom Mics, q
mulatto about nineteen years Of age, was.
then arrested. When confronted by the
officers he made full ana complete con-
fession, and Fletcher Holden, Henry
Holden and Sam jackson were i'm
mediately
PURSUED AND ARRESTED.
The four were separated before any
conversation between them could TAXI |
place, They were each questioned aboue |
the murder. Their replies were so sim
liar that all doubt was removed. Every |
circumstance told by them was investi-
gated and found TO be exactly as re-
hearsed. Tracks were measured, car
pins examined, pools of blood and every
thing else went to corrobrate their state
ment. Tom Miles made q verbal state
ment before the mayor court of Allan
Ia, which is chiefly the same as Fletcher
Holden g written statement before Judge
Glaze at the preliminary trial at this
place December 20, 1885.
The crime was so heartless and brutal
that
FEARS OF LYNCHING
were entertained, and Sheriff Lanier
thought it prudent to camp with them
some distance from Atlanta and not
place them in the calaboose, as was ex-
pected. They were brought to Linden
next day under guard and placed
IN jail, since which time the citizens
Of Atlanta employed Messrs. o Neal s.
Son and O'Neal 6 Eberhardt of this
place to assist in the prosecution. Judge
Sheppard appointed R. L. Henry of Tex
lrkala and R. r. Lockette to defend
After the trial of Tom Miles Mr.. Henry | /
vas called home on business, and left
he defense in the hands of Mr.. Look 5
ute, a talented young attorney. :
Considerable trouble was manifested J
n obtaining jury, as people had al s
most universally
EXPRESSED THEMSELVES.
The iurles were obtained, however,
nd as fast as the wheels of justice could
.rind Tom Miles, Fletcher Holden.
Henry Holden and Sam Jackson were {
Pronounced guilty OF murder in the
rst degree and their punishment as c
essed at death. Upon application Sam d
acksou was granted q new hearing
wing to some technicalitY in the trial. r
Below is given the voluntary written
by Fletcher Holden at
be preliminary trial. That of
he other three is virtually i.
ne same, hence it is unnecessary to re- :
ort It. +
STATEMENT. q
''I was ct Atlanta on Saturday, the 7,
n day of December, 1889. the day be- !
ore McGregor was killed at night. 1 q