The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-16

never betrayed the slightest sign OF
nervousness and smile even occ 4.
sionally fitted across his ugly and re-
pulsive countenance. Evidently, al
though he knew he was going to suf-
fer death, he did not fully appreciate
or realize all that that meant.
IN THE JAIL.
On reaching the Jail all the prisoners
were replaced In their cages. Up to
the present time Nichols has been In
cell with Perry Scott for side part
ner but now all that will be changed.
The condemned man was placed
in cell No. on the right hand side of
the lower tier, the cell 30 long occu.
pied by Ollie Ecklund. AS soon as
the cage was locked the death watch
was set and will remain constantly on
duty day and night until the sentence
has been executed.
About o'clock yesterday afternoon
through the courtesy of Jailer Mere
dith a STATESMAN reporter was
allowed to go into the Jail Mr.. Pete
Walton, the guard, occupied seat In
the corridor Immediately in front of
the cell door, while on the inside fact
ing the door sat Nichols by the side
his swinging cot. The cell door was
unlocked ana the reporter admitted.
AS Nichols did not seem disposed to
talk, the reporter began to ply him
with questions. The first question
was an inquiry as to whether the pris-
'oner thought he had had q fair trial.
He replied In substance that he did
not think he had tor the reason that
he had been rushed into the trial be-
fore he was ready; that he had sent
word to his attorney by some OF his
people, but that the trial had been
proceeded with Notwithstanding. He
admitted, however, that all OF his
witnesses were present with the ex-
ception of two.
He denied emphatically that he had
committed the crime with which he
was charged, and also that he had
made any confessions; said that his
father and mother were both living,
but were separated; that before his
arrest he had lived with his mother,
Lizzie Nichols, down on Dry creek
and that his father who went by the
name of AL Williams lived here
in Austin. Inc following converse.
ton then ensued:
ed" said the reporter, edo you
fully realize the import of the sentence |
that was passed on you this morning |
by Judge Morris?'
eyes sir, and l am praying all the |
the time, but didn't exactly under. |
stand the time"
The reporter explained the near
ness of the execution but the con- |
demned man evinced no emotion.
ed" continued the reporter, Tf
you did outrage that little white girl,
do you think you will be forgiven for |
it?j
eyes sir, but didn't doit.n
"Do you think that with all the |
praying you have done up to the |
present time, that all of your sins have |
been forgiven?"
"Yes cir, but am going to keep on
all the sameD
"Is there anything / can say for |
you to the people Of Austin?" III
"Yes sir, ask them to see Governor
Hogg for me and get him to send me |
to the penitentiary for life, and then
may be some day 1 will be pardoued |
out.n
That concluded the interview,
Nichols further saying, however, that |
he had no spiritual adviser, and that |
he had seen none Of his people for |
about three weeks.
Mr.. George Hearn will divide time
with Mr.. Walton in keeping the death
watch.
DID ALL HE COULD.
Mr.. George Calhoun, who was the
attorney for Nichols, was seen by
reporter and asked what further steps
if any he would take to save his
clients neck. He said he had done
all that was in his power for him and
that there was nothing else that he
could do.
THE EXECUTION.
AS to the execution, no plans have
az yet been determined upon. Sheriff
White says that 1t will be impossible