The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-05-04
/ MASSEY AND BURKE,
PUBLICLY EXECUTED AT BoNHAM FOR
THE CRIME OF RAPE.
Both Confessed That They Were Guilty and
Admitted That They Ought to Die-Mas-
sew Died Game But Burke Was
Badly Scared.
Special to The Statesman.

| Special to The Statesman.
BoNHAM, Tex, April 20.-Sam Mas
sew, alias Sam Win and jim Burke
alias Will Clark, atoned this evening
for the crime of rape by hanging in
the pr, sencs of 10000. At 1880 Sher.
if CLANCY gave the order to prepare
for the scaffold. The condemned men
were shaved and dressed in neat
suit OF black. Massey requested to be
buried in his slippers. During his
shaving he cracked jokes, said he was
good negro, but had nothing; that if
was dressed up he would have win
ming ways. "Come to see me boys, at
sundown," he said. Red Baber ar
rived at this time and held a private
consultation with him. He wanted
his hair curled, he said, in a merry
way.
Jim Burke at o'clock was shaky,
could scarcely put on his clothes.
After getting on his underclothes he
said, "Ain't you got no clutches tor
me? My home is at Log Hut, Smith
county, Texas. l was religious UP
there, but when l got down here
with Sam his breath was so bad it
caused me to lose my religion"
promptly at 2o'clock Sheriff Clancy
read the death warrant to them and
placed them in close covered carri-
age and then proceeded with deputies
to the place OF execution, On arrival
at the grounds thousands of people of
all classes and sizes and color were
there. Every conceivable spot on
which person could get view was
filled. Trees and bousetOps were full.
At 2:20 they arrived at the scaffold
led by Sheriff Charey. On the scat
told were the sheriff and his deputies,
Sanford, Parish, Rid berg, Constable
Anderson and ex.Sheriff McAfee.
Marshal Briggerstaff and two colored
Barber and Hollingsworth.
AT 225 Sheriff CLANCY called for
silence. The county attorney stepped
to the front and said that by request
of the criminals he wOuld state that
they were guilty and said they are
ready to atone to the offended law for
their crimes.
Rev. Barber made short talk and
requested the crowd to join him ia
singing when L can read my title
clear" and closed with prayer by
Rev. Hollingsworth. After this they
sang "There is a land fairer than
this" During both songs Massey |
stood up and joined in singing. At
this time Massey stepped to the front
and said, take waning both old and |
Do you see this rope? Whis-
Key brought me here. Get every sa-
Don and gambling house out of your
city. Take warning from me if [ am
,plored. 1 am guilty of the crime
charged against me and am ready to
Day the debt for the deed committed.
have been waiting until this day to
explain all"
Burke had no statement to make
'urther than he had made. He had
10 be assisted on the scaffold. Massey
assembled with firm step and at 2:55
The black cap was placed on the con-
1emned, they bid goodbye to all, the
rope adjusted and at 1902 Sheriff
Charey sprung the trap and sent
Them into eternity. Massey's neck
was broken and he died without a
struggle. Burke's neck was not bro
ken and he writhed and drew him
self up considerably. At 800 Drs.
Kennedy, Dabney, Hancock and
short pronounced them dead and they
were cut down and their remains
turned over to friends for burial.