The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-18
II AM READY TO DIE"
These are Reported 20 be the Last
words OF Walker Derrick.

Walker Derrick was hanged last Friday
morning 10 the Abbeville jail by SnerlH
Nance, who carried out all the details to per-
walker Derrick was black man Of fine
physioue, agrd less than thirty years, In per-
feet health, and In the possession OF al MS
faculties. capable OF making useful cltizen
: he came from e bert county. Georgia, a
year or Two before be committed the crimekr
which he was hanged. He fell In love WITH
woman OF his own race, and used all the arts
OF tbs lover which were known 10 him, In his
eHorts to induce bis sweet. heart TO marry
him. But the girl had another lover, and 70
him che bestowed her love and her hand.
the object OF her affection, he premeditated
the slaying of the bridegroom. In pursuance
OF liberalization TO Sc revenge, ana wltn
the possib,e hope OF yet winning the love ana
affection of the woman whom be worshlppeo,
bo went steaithily, on the the second night af-
ter the marrtag.. In the darkness 70 the open
door Of the cabin wherein were the orlae ana
ths groom. The newly married people mis-.
tftisied nothing and we're supremely happy
In their little cabin 10 the western part OF Ab-
keyiiie county. She was sitting on his knees
sud they were lovingly chatting, when all OF
ssnr out On the stiffness OF the night--in Au-
9rsf 1924 The bride was wounded. The
bridegroom had received fatal shot. A ter
ribiecrime had been committed. NO human
Oh as he had come-in the dark-unseen ana
undiscovered. Apparently there was no trace
10 indicate the perpetrHtor OF the crime Inc
iSed against Walker Derrick as the assassin.
He was arrested and brought into court. at
denied his guilt. He was put upon trial no
positive testimony was given against nlm.
But circumstances wove net around MIN
from which he could not escape. He was con.
victed. An appeal was taken 70 the supreme
Court. tut new trial was refused. Az the
October court he was re-senteneed TO 6e
hanged on December 9th. After the Courts
refussl for q new trial be ADMITTED ms guilt.
Having no influential friends TO plead for
him, and having no funds to further deieno
while longer, he wrote letter TO the Govern
or asking postponemsnt OF his execution:
The Governor was touched by his appeal, ana
cd ior week-until Friday, December Is;
when the order Of the Court must be carried
out, and the prisoner must pay the forfeit OF
bis life for the life which he had wickedly
The story Of this negro's conversion is per
haps not different from the story OF the con.
version Of all the others who have been exc
There are goodd and Po1s fs1S en-
miliar with the plan OF salvation-who be-
lieye that these culprits 60 straight TO heaven.
We have NO evidence that the promise OF The
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white
as snow, though they be red ike crimson
But We submit LQat LneI6 Luhy 10 uahkoi ~
holding out the promise TO sinful world
that salvation 10 80 easily won; that wheI
convictid OF crime, the Lofa WIZ M assn snS ,sici
people TO places OF everlasting Joy ana 'eiici
The Press and Banner believes that such
professions OF repentance comes more IRON
fear OF punishment than from sorrow lor SIN t
oommitted. There is all the difference IN tht
word between sorrow for sin and fear OF pun
isbment. For instance: II a little boy com
mits an ofYense, and is about 70 oe Punlsnso
does bis tears and and pitiful appeal come be
cause he has done wrong, or because ne nope
to tighten bis puntshmentq Our Idea 49, ina