The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-01-18

that was sufficient to break his neck
Such was not the case, however, ow
ing to the fact that the moose slipped
the knot falling at the back OF the
head instead of under the ear.
Four min ltes after the drop Mich
OILS pulse counted 152, but in very
short time had ceased altogether. AT
4:OS after having been hanging for IL
minutes life was pronounced to
have become extinct by the
doctors, death having resulted
from strapgulation. The body was
then cut down and taken in charge by
Messrs. Weed & Rosengren's under
taker. After being laid on the stretch
or the black cap was removed. The
eyes were closed, the only thing out
of the ordinary run being a slight
protrusion of the tongue. After the
remains had been placed in neat,
pine casket they were taken to the
new colored cemetery and buried at
the expense of the county, Nichols
family being too poor to take charge
of them.
NICHOLS LAST LETTERS.
After the execution one of the pris-
oners handed the reporter the follow
ing letters to Nichols relatives which
explain themselves:
AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. II,
Office of The Statesman, City.
GENTLEMEN-in regard to my writ
ing "Ed Nickels' last letter to the
publicn L must say that IN" told me,
"he is not guilty of his charge, but is
perfectly willing to die for his sins"
for that, [ only could write in his
wish. L am guilty of my sins. The
officers ask me to do the writing in
regard OF Ed Ms wish.
Ny writing "Nickels last letter to
the public" has nothing to do with
the confession of n ckels to any
church; myself prisoner Ed N. was
questioned by me before witnesses
and two witnesses were present when
1 was reading my writing to him, ex-
planning everything necessary, as a
whole day was given me to stay by
Ms cell. Nickels was we'll satisfied
with my writing.
Do you find any mistake in my
writing kindly correct 1t. l am a
German, beginner in your language
and only two years in the State of
Texas. doing 30, and by sending
up paper of THE STATESMAN" you
will oblige
very respectfully
BRUNO OF WEBBERvILLE.
The letters are as follows:
AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. IL, 1894.
Miss Ar.en Williams
DEAR SIsTER-The last evening
sun in my lite was sinking; l lam stay
ing befor our last earthly enemy, the
death; L shall die tomorrow. L die as
Christian through His only begotIen
SON tor that fagherhouse above the
starry sky. Free from earthly prison
L am going to that heavenly mansion
near the throne where l want to meet
you also. Prepare for it while you
have time and take kindly my fare
well and last song on earth to remem-
Der your half brother,
ED NICHOLS.
AUSTIN, Tex, Jan. IL, 1894.
Miss Ida Nichols:
DEAR SIsTER-In my few lines you
shall read my last song on earth.
Read it carefully, seek the under
standing of every word and verse and
surely you will have many goods COM
ing out of it "to save your soul for
the immortal day." 1 die as sinner
hke-every man is against Gods law.
Through Christ, our redeemer, in His
holy spirit, L am going home to my
Fathers house, where "are many
mansions l want to meet you there,
and, as for that, behold forever Jesus
the light of the world?n
Praying for you and everyone dear
to me send you my last good bye,
goodbye till we meet at the judg-
ment bar;-keep always kind mem.
Dry of me and forget never was your
brother ED. NICHOLS.
Song Young people all attention give,
And hear what have to say,
l want your souls in Christ to live,
In that eternal day.
Walk in the light. beautiful light
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine
bright,
Shines ali aroun us, both by day aud by night,
Jesus the light of the world.
Remember you are hasting on,
To deaths dark, gloomy SHADES
Your joys on earth will soon be gone,
Your fame in dust be laid.
Pray mediate before too late,
While Il gospel land.
Beho d King Jesus at the gate,
Most lovingly do stand.
Deaths iron gates you must pass through,
Ere long my dear young friends,
Distinctions is what ) GU surely will meet,
trust J GU see the end.
Now do not go to meeting
To show your dress and style
Whilst you souls e ly ing naked
And not prepared to die.
trust you will get ready,
And seek to We your soul,
For when we come to judgement
You'll remember what you were told.
THE CRIME.
The crime for which the life OF
Nichols was yesterday taken on the
gallows was most horrible one, be.
ing the rape OF q little 10.yesr-old
white girl, who on the trial of the
case testified as follows, backed by the
testimony of other Witnesses:
My name is Anna Straka; am II
years old; will be II next birthday;
live about one-fourth If a mile from
Cedar Creek; my uncle lived on the
Cedar Geek road; on Friday, March
80, 1893, 1 went along the Cedar Greek
road over to my uncle's; 1 was return