The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1895-06-26
MADE HIS WILL
.xn THEN RESPITED A DOOMED
MAN.

pathetic scence in the Executive Man.
at AtIanta--Goyernor Atlxinson's
Goodness Under Trying Cir
cumstances.
The following is taken from the Allan
20 Constitutions report of what trans
,ifod in the executive mansion, where
Governor Atkinson lay with his life
hanging as by thread just, beforeiit was
finally decided that he should submit to
surgical operation:
This brought matters to crisis in the
case.
II was Governor Atkinson who next
smoke. With cool and deliberate voice
he beokoned the attendants to his side
and said:
81 don't want to die, but if l must die
lam as ready TO face my fate as any man
ever was. l don't want this operation
nerformed, but if it must be performed
i am ready to feel the keen edge of the
knife"
There was long silence in the room.
81 will make my will" resumed the
governor, ''before it begins. Send for
Judge Hopkins. want to be prepared
for the worst in all that | can do before
die if l must die, But l don't think
I'm going to die. I'm going to bear it
if [ can, and think l can, but send for
Judge Hopkins-I'll be ready for the
worst if it comes"
Judge Hopkins was sent for. The
family of the distinguished Georgian
gathered around him lovingly. He
seemed to be suffering but little pain and
only occasionally would the terrible con-
dition in which he was placed impress
itself upon him with paroxysms. BE
bore them bravely, and was as cool and
determined as though he was deliberat
ing upon any matter OF every day bust
ness.
He woald, at times, even speak lightly
of his condition, and this gave hope to
his family and the physicians, because it
showed his great strength.
Judge Hopkins came at last and drew
up the will. 1t did not require long, for
Governor Atkinson seemed to have
thought it all over before the distinguish
ed counsellor arrived. He told it in
clear. forceful and deliberate tones, and
Attorney General Joe Terrell, his bosom
friend, was taking it from him as he
spoke it and assisting Judge Hopkins III
getting it on paper. Private Secretary
Major Frank Galloway was standing near
by also, and he and Attorney General
Terrell were the witnesses to the will.
1t was all drawn mp and the Governor
looked it over carefully before he ac-
knowedged it as correct and exactly as
he wished it. He then laid it aside as
though he was thinking of something
else hat ought to be there.
1t was at this point in the sorrowful
procedure at the executive mansion that
Georgia's governor turned to hisi private
secretary and asked:
What was tn at case ought to act on
at the capitol?"
Nothing at all, Governor, that won't
bear waiting" replied Mr.. Galloway.
SIT shall not wait under these circum
Stances" replied the governor slowly
and positively "What was it?-so1le
man was doomed to be hanged. Who
was hep
John Ford, of Decatur county," re-
marked Mr.. Galloway, the private Sec
rotary. "You have received most of the
testimony which was circumstantial.
He was sentenced to death for killing a
man."
"Give me the papers," said the gov
ernor, and his GOODNESS was surprising
as he reached for them.
He shall not die next Friday. grant
him respite"
The document was signed and the
governor said:
Now hand me my W i'll"
He signed the will and announced
himself ready for the removal as soon as
the physicians said 60.
The governor was perfectly calm and
collected, expressing to those about him
confidence in the result of the operation.
AS the stretcher was being carried out
the governor gave instructions to the
bearers how to carry him, cautioning
them NOT To trir, on, rn,nh nlanaS in the