The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-01-18
YESTERDAYS EXECUTION
ED NICHOLS, THE NEGRO RAPIsT, Elk.
Plates HIS CRIME ON THE
GALLOWS
Protesting to the Last Moment His limo
cence Of the Charge for Which He
Died-Details of the Affair and
Letters From the Dead Man.

and tonight his body lies stiff and
lifeless within che narrow confines Of
the grave. Up to the very last mo-
ment he insisted that he was limo.
cent of the crime for which he died
his close proximity to the presence OF
his maker being called 10 his attention
by The STATESMAN reporter, who
talked with him just before he was
led to the gallows.
The execution was arranged by
= Sheriff White to take place at about
1880 O'Clock, but owing to an accident
twas nearly o'clock before the trap
was sprung. The accident referred to
occurred during the morning hours
when the springs were being Tested
by the use of sand bags. AS the
heavy weight made tho drop one OF
the bolts which held the trap IN place
broke, necesstating the making OF
another one.
| Sometime before noon the crowd be-
gan to gather in and around tie court
house, but it was nearly 2:3O O'CLOCK ne
fore those to whom passes had been
issued by Sheriff White we've admit
ted to the Jail. AS soon as they got ON
the inside they were shown to the
second floor by equity shsritfs to take
position on top o the cages and sells
thus obtaining an excellent view OF
the execution.
The location of the gallows, close to
the south wall of the Jail, was pretty
we'll known to the people OF AUSTIN
and by l O'Clock the root of the stable
on that side of the building was
crowded with men and boys all OF
them eager and anxious to see what
they could of T. hanging through the
windows. Fully 800 morbidly Curl
GUS people were there congre'
gated while inside of the
iail there were about 80 spectators
A STATESMAN reporter was admit %
ted to the jail about noon and at that
time found the condemned man listen
ing to the words of spiritual advice as
they fell from the lips of Elder Camp.
bell of the Baptist church. He APP
peared to be perfectly unconcerned
and answered all of the reporters
questions without hesitation, emphat-
ically denying his guilt, saying that
the only statement he had to make
would be made from the gaJows.
AS above stated, it was about ESQ
when the spectators were admitted to
the Jail. They at once secured the
most available points from which to
view the tragedy and impatiently
awaited the fatal moment On the
scaffold platform were seated Elders
L. l.. Campbell, w. T. Boulding, w.
M. Beckham,-J. D. Willard and Alex
Walker of tine Baptist church and
representatives of the various daily
newspapers. When the condemned
man was brought to the scaffOld it
was under the escort of Sheriff White
and Deputy Sheriffs Fred Peck, j.
Thorp and John Meredith. - the
time Nichols was dressed in plain suit
of thin black clothes provided for him
by Mr.. White at bis request, the ma
terial being as light az possible. He
also ore large black felt bat which
he kept on as he took his seat, at the
same time putting away most vlgor-
ously on the stump of u cigar.
After the party had taken their
seats the religious services were be-
gun, being conducted by Elder Camp
bell of the Baptist church, the spirit
ual adviser of Mich )ls. They were
opened by singing, in which many OF
the spectators joined, after which
passage from the Scriptures was read
by Elder Campbell and very fervent
prayer delivered by Elder Beckham.
Elder Campbell then read the fol
lowing statement from Nichols, which
ne gave as his last statement on earth
b THE LAST WORDS OF ED NICHOLS.
SENTENCED TO HANG, JAN.
u, 1894, AT AUSTIN.
L wish to say before my departure
that never thought of reaching this
period in lite. 1 am very thankful to
the officials for the kind treatment at
their hands. The few weeks respite
from the hands of the governor W re
thankfully received. l feel grateful
to the religious people for their visits
and prayers. The. sermons ana
scripture readings from Rev. Il. IL.
Campbell of the Baptist church here
have been the means of my conversion
and baptism. Sheriff White has been
very accommodating to me indeed
feel prepared to meet death. MY soul
is at peace with all mankind. Even
CQOS6 VINO l0SUlu0u dSaluoV LhO hofo
found ia vor in my sight.
THE CRIME.
am informed that rumors are out
that L confessed the crime alleged.
This ia untrue. I have never con-
fessed to anyone. If anyone have
thought 80 they are mistaken. Many
have talked with me about the mat
ter, but / have never said L was
guilty.
THE TRUTH.
MY last words to you are that am
not guilty of the crime for which am
to hang. God i, my secret judge, and
ye are my witnesses. Farewell! Meet
me in the better land where the Father
Himself will execute and mete out
iustice To all ED NICHOLS.
Nearer My God to Thee was then
sung, after which Elder Campbell
prayed as follows:
Almighty Father of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, today we come,
in the presence of men OF unseen
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