Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-30
 EUGENE BYARS MUST HANG. Tremendous Pressure Brought to
 Bear on the Governor TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE, But He Steadfastly Refuses to Interfere-HoW the Doomed
 Man Passes His Time.
TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE,

Governor Oates declines to interfere in the case of Eugene Byars, who is under sentence to hang on the Slh of February.
 For several weeks past Byars and his friends have been doing all in their power to arouse some interest in his behalf and If possible bring to bear upon Governor Oates such pressure as would influence him to executive clemency. Byars himself wrote forty or fifty letters to as many different parties in various sections of the state i'm ploring them to exert their influence in his behalf. With few exceptions the same fate has befallen each letter and no replies thereto were made.
 Petitions were also prepared and circu- lated, but few signatures were secured.
 Yesterday morning Dr. J. c. Morris, pastor of the First Methodist church, went to Montgomery to plead for the condemned man.
 Among the letters written by Byars was one to Governor Oates, in which the con- demned man stoutly protested his 1nno- cence and prayed executive clemency. To this he received a lengthy reply yesterday.
 Governor Oates in his letter tells Byars that he must die; that jury has adjudged him guilty of murder, and that sentence or death has been passed upon him by court. However much he would like to exercise cleInency the governor says he cannot re- verse the 6nding of the court and jury, and the petitioner must suffer death. lie IS ad- monished to prepare himself for death.
 Byars was seen in his cell at the county jail last night by en AGE-HERALD re- porter and asked if he desired to make any statement. He said he did not. When asked about Governor Gates letter he feigned ignorance and wanted to know what the reporter had heard. He finally denied getting any letter from the gov ernor. His supper being handed him Byars said he would eat that before talking to the reporter any more and finally said he wouldn't at all.
 It was learned from an official that Byars had destroyed the letter.
 In letter to MT. Dan Green, Byars' at torney, Governor Oates suggested the pub lication of the Byars letter, but Byars wouldn't consent. He says the news papers have lied ou him, and says he don't intend they shall have the pleasure of pub fishing anything he says.
 READS HIS BIBLE. . Byars now devotes considerable portion of his time to his Bible. He enjoys daily visits from Dr. J. c. Morris, pastor of the First Methodist church, and has quit using profane language, the jail officials say. He does not seem to realize, however, that death is impending, but leaves the impress sion on those who talk win him that he is still hopeful of having his sentence com. Inuted.
 THE EXECUTION.
 The gallows to be used in executing By ars has been used for the same purpose eleven times, the first man to swing into eternity from it being Dick Hawes. Since then ten others have gone the same way.
 1hs gallows stand Tn tue jail yard and is ready for it's awful work. The only thing | the sheriff will have to provide is rope, whi ich will be tested in few days.
 The execution will be private, as required by law, and will be witnessed by only such parties as are legally entitled to see the same. Sheriff Morrow has been besieged the past few days with applications for passes from men who are anxious to see the hanging.
 GOVERNOR OATES INTERVIEWED.
 MoNTG oMERY, Jan. 9.-[Special. l. Your reporter called upon Governor Oates at bis home, on Church street, tonight to learn the contents of letter addressed by the governor to Eugene Byars today.
 Governor Oates said:
 "Messrs. D. A. Green and John Me Queen of Birmingham appeared be- fore me day or two ago seeking a pardon for Eugene Byars. After that time I received a letter which indicated an intelligent man, pro- testing his innocence and pleading for his life.
 To-day Rev. Df. Morris of Birmingham came to me with the same purpose and told him that 1t would be impossible fol me to grant such petition, as the only view that I could take of the case convinced me of the guilt of Byars.
 ''I wrote Byars q letter, in care of his at- torney, telling him in emphatic language that he must suffer the penalty of death. '