The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-05-05

met the sheriff.
Has any reprieve arrived YETI ask
ed Bowen. The sheriff shook his head
sadly. He had never yet hanged a
man, and did not wish to begin.
NO" said the sheriff. And from
what I heard this afternoon none is
likely to arrive. The governor has
made up his mind at last that the law
must take its course
I am glad of that, said Bowen.
well, I'm not"
After O'Clock messages almost
ceased coming in, and Bowen sat read
ing the evening paper. Suddenly there
came a call for the office, and the oper-
ator answered. AS the message came
over the wire Bowen wrote it down
mechanically from the clicking instru-
ment, not understanding it's purport,
but when he read it he jumped to his
feet, with an oath. He looked wildly
around the room, then realized with a
sigh of relief that he was alone, except
for the messenger boy who sat doing
in a corner, with his cap over his eyes
He took UP the paper again, and read
it with set teeth.
Sheriff of Brenting County, Brent
vile:
do not proceed further with execu-
ton of Prior. Sentence committed. Doc
ments sent off by tonights mail regis
tered. Answer that you understand this
message. JOHN DAY, Governor"
Bowen walked up and down the room
with knitted brow. He was in no doubt
as to what he would do, but he wanted
to think over it. The telegraph instru-
ment called TO him and he turned to
it, giving the answering click. The
message was to himself from the oper-
ator at the capital, and it told him he
was to forward the sheriff's telegram
without delay, and report to the office
at the capital-a mans life depended on
ut, the message concluded. Bowen an
swered that the telegram to the sheriff
would be Immediately sent.
Taking another telegraph blank, he
wrote:
Sheriff of Brenting County, Brent
vile:
Proceed with execution of Prior. No
reprieve will be sent. Reply if you I'M
derstand this message.
JOHN DAY, Governor"
1t IS a pity it cannot be written that
Bowen felt some compunction at what
ne was doing. We like to think that,
when a man deliberately commits a
crime, he should hesitate and pay
enough Difference to the proprieties as
to feel at least a temporary regret, even
II he goes on with his crime afterward.
BoWens thoughts were upon the dead
girl, not on the living man He reused
the doing telegraph messenger.
Here, he said, take this to the
goal and find the sheriff If he is not
there go to his residence If he is
asleep wake him up. Tell him this
wants an answer. Give him a blank.
and when he has filed it up, bring it
to me; give the message to no one else.
mind"
The boy said Eyes SIR and departed
into the night. He returned so quickly
that Bowen knew without asking that
he had found the sleepless sheriff at
the goal. The message to the governor,
written in trembling hand by the
sherlH, was: Il understand that the
execution is to take place. If you
should change your mind, for Gods
sake telegraph as soon as possible l
shall delay execution until last mo-
ment allowed by law"
Bowen did not send that message.
but another He Iaughed-and then
checked himself in alarm, for his
laugh sounded strange. 81 wonder if
am quite sane" he said to himself.
81 doubt it,
representing a press association came
IN after IL and sent a long dispatch
Bowen telegraphed it, taking the chan
ceS that the receiver would not com
municate with the sender of the re-
pr1eve at the capital. He knew how
mechanically news of the greatest i'm
portance was taken off the wire by
men who have automatically been do
ing that for years. Anyhow all the
copper and zinc in the world could not
get a message into Brentingville, ex-
cept through him, until the day opera
tor came on and then it would be too
late.
The newspaper man, lingering, asked
II there would be only one telegraph
on hand after the execution.
I shall have a lot of stuff to send
over and want it rushed. Some of the
papers may get out specials. 1 would
nave brought an operator with me- but
/ thought there was going to be a re-
prieve-although the Sheriff didn't
seem to think So" he added.
The day operator win De here after
6. and l will return as soon as I've had
cup of coffee, and Wen handle all
you can write?' answered Bowen,
without looking up from his instru-
ment.
Thanks. Grim business, isn't it?"
4 thought the governor would cave;
didn't your
Il didn't know
Hes a shrewd old villain He'd
have lost next election if he'd repriev-
ed this man. People don't want to
kneed governor is Judge Lynchis
friend. Well. good night; see you in
the morning"
Good night" said Bowen.
Daylight gradually dimmed the lamps
in the telegraph room, and Bowden
started and caught his breath as the
church bell began to toH.
1t was 10 minutes after when Bow
ems partner, the day man, came in
well. they've hanged him." he said.
Bowen was fumbling among some pa
pers on his table. He folded two of
them and put them in his inside peck
ct. Then he spoke:
There will be newspaper man here
in few moments with good deal OF
copy to telegraph. Rush it off as fast
as you can and I'll be back to help be-
fore you are tired"
AS Bowen walked toward the gaol
he met the scattered group of those
who had been privileged to see the ex-
ecution. They were discussing capital
punishment and some were yawningly
complaining about the unearthIy hour
chosen for the function they has just
beheld. Between the outside gate and
the gail door Bowen met the sheriff,
who was looking CHASTITY and sallow in
the fresh morning light.
Il have come to give myself up, +"
said Bowen, before the official could
greet him.
ITO give yourself up? What for?"
For murder. I suppose"
This is no time for joking. young
man." said the sheriff severely
do l look like a humorist? Read
that"
| First incredulity, then horror. over
spread the haggard face of the sheriff
as he read and reread the dispatch.
He staggered back against the wall,
putting UP his arm to keep himself
from falling
/ SGIoou,o,