Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-10

and 'ad to pay my profits over to tn other
creditors, and finally 'ad to quit that bust
ness and go to work a making bootlegs in a
shoe shop None o. my respectable brothers,
as might well afford it, being in good way
O business, ever says to me: James, 'ere's a
hundred pounds to gil you a new start. l
Gays: It's 'onest business and it's paying
business-ten pun and travelling expenses for
each person what L 'angs, and fl pun in case
OF a reprieve-and Iii follow it,
Il goes to my solicitor and tells i'm 'ow my
sister lad sent word to tn 'ome secretary as
was subjeck to fits-which | never 'ad fit in
my life-and he tells me to get tn affidavit
OF my family doctor as was in perfick 'ealth,
which l did, and | gets tn appointment.
That night it was in all the papers in Brad
ford, a Yorkshireman appointed public
'ang7nan,' and what does one of our neighbors
Go, as is in Bradford. but he takes paper
out to Hecbmondyke, and he finds my mother
a standin' on the steps O. our 'ouse. He
shows her tn paper, and she just looks at it
and says: My James TIL hangman,' and falls
backward in q swound.
"Well, they sends one for me tn next day,
and tells me the mother is dying and wants
to see me. goes to tn house right away,
out tn room, and then she puts her arm
around my neck and cuddles me down to her.
James, she says, its not true thou'et be
'angmans Thou'rt too aifectionate' she says
Mother l says, if it'll save thy life I'll not
be 'angman.' 'Ay,' says she, it'll save my
life"
The hangTnan's tone had softened a trihe as
he related this instance Of filial devotion, and
~ l. y
recating the follies of earlier days $50 1
sends in my resignation, and Bartholomew
Binns, he gets tn appointment, but it don't
do no good, for the mother dies before she
gets ont of bed, and was sorry enough, 1
can tell you, that Ia been such a fool"
There is something singular in contemplate
ing human being who had the heart to give
up the inestimabe privilege of hanging peo-
pie to save his mothers life and regretting
that he'd ''bean SUCH fool" when she for
whom he made the sacrifice died notwith-
standing. However, he got the position after
all, for Mr. Binns, who got appointed, botched
Sn execution, and the tender hearted Mr..
Berry was soon put in his place. 1t takes
nerve to be an executioner, and perhaps
Binns didn't have sufficient. Hearing of the
botch, Mr.. Berry resolved 10 try again.
Il was member" he said, ''of the Young
Mems Christian Association, and goes right
over to that waiting room and sends word to
tn sheriff in Scotland without even telling
my missus. l tell tn sheriff as 'ow | might
have 'ad tn appointment before, and what
was my qualifications He sends me word
back TO get papers from the chief constable
Ii Bradford that ! am tn right man. and not
to breathe word TO nobody about it, Well,
sir, | didn't even tell the missus that. and
when went to Scotland and did tn Job, me
and tn chief constable and sheriff IL Scotland
and tn 'oine secretary was tn only persons
as knew | was 'angman until | come home
after. It was residing that in tn paper that
was tn beginning that my father and brother
died Of
Mr.. Berry has assisted IFS parsons into
eternity, and takes great professional pride
III never yet having made a botch. II
breaks their necks all TO piecesn he SAYS
Inside, that is, and leaves beautiful corpse
always. Some of my corpseS you couldn't
tell ii they died natural death, as many of
'eIn seems smiling and happy in their collins
l consider as it's tn bounden duty of
'angman to make 1t as pleasant as possible for
Us man, and 10 leave as nice corpse as POS
SHE for is friends
Nr. Berry has often had difficulty in get
ting TO the prison where he is TO perform
job without being recognized. Many a time
he has shaved off his wliskers and put on a
wonlan's dress. Putting his straps and ropes
under his Clothes he goes in through the
crowd unrecognized. That's the way got
into Dublin jail, he says and that's the
way I've done many job
Then be opened wooden chest and took
out the ropes and straps, and pulling the
straps about himself and adjusting a rope
about his own neck, threw the end over a
beam anu directed his interviewer how to
proceed to illustrate hanging. thus present
ing fearful temptation to serve him as he
had served 50 many others But the inclina-
ton was resisted, and Ar Berry still lives TO
send new souls out on their dark journey.