The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1896-06-10
HOW TOM HEARD HIS FATE.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF THE NO
TORIOUS OUTLAW
which Throws side Lights on Character
Unique in Criminal Historyin
Georgia.

much time, is it, pap
The speaker was Tom Delk, and he
was addressing his father few minutes
after Judge Beck had passed the death
sentence upon him. "She" refers, of
course, to Toms approaching execution.
He will be hung on the 10th of June, to
a7engA the murder of Sheriff Quinn.
''She's booked for June 10TH"
He spoke the words with the nonchal-
ance of race track sport, who shouts,
They're OFF, as the horses dash down
the course at the drop of the starters
flag.
1t was thus that he announced to his
father the date of his terrible death.
Like the advance agent Of drama or
circus Tom declared that the day for
his great tragedy was "booked" for the
10th of June. 1t will be tragedy, not
drama-a real, black tragedy, fraught
with the horrors of hell-yet, with toss
of his handsome head, Tom told his
father in these strange words the news
of his terrible fate.
The old father said not a VOID, but
there was look of pride on his face, as
he watched his boy march out of the
courtroom with an air of defiant indif-
ferta3e.
The elder Delk was proud of his boy,
and proud of that little speech which
was spoken loud enough to be heard by
all who were standing near. TWAS such
a speech as old Taylor Delk would have
spoken had he been the age of Tom and
in Toms place. 1t was Delk speech,
characteristic of the family of outlaws
who are as proud of their record as law
breakers as most men would be of rec
ord of honorable achievement.
''She's booked for June 10TH"
That speech tells the story of Tom
Delk's character. 1t describes him bet
ter than words. Analyze it and YOU
have an K ray picture of his disposition.
lie is dramatic in the extreme. He
dotes on climaxes. He constantly strives
for effect in all he says and does, and is
always playing to the galleries for ap
plause.
He is not ready or willing to die, but
there is no doubt that since il must be.
Tom wants the hanging to be attended
10y as much eclat as possible. No one
2oVes freedom more than he, The open
air is as essential to him as to the wild
oeasts and a cage is just as tantalizing.
lie is IN the full of vigOr of young man
mood and loves life and activity as much
as any man. The thought of the moose
and black cap must be, as horrible to him
as to any one, but when be comes to die
1t will be great surprise to those who
know him if he manifests anything but
indifference in the proceedings.
Vanity has brought him to the muir.
derer's cell. Flattery turned his head
and will end in breaking his neck.
Tom is only twenty-five, handsome
young fellow, who was born a leader of
his class. When he was but nine
teen he was the undisputed lead
er OF gang of thieves in Atlanta, most
OF whom were older than himself. They
did his bidding. He was their king.
tie played the leading role and won
their applause for the crimes he com
mltted. His colleagues in this work
Told him he was a wonder, and he be-
AeVed them, In his physical strength
ne took more pride than in anything else
except his skill with the rife and revolv-
er' He is slender but as strong as an
OK and as active as a cat. In physical
combat he was almost always winner
ana the gang Dragged ON him until he
thought he was the most powerful man
IN the state. When McWilliams, the bur
" farmer, who weighs nearly two hun
'red pounds, overpowered him in the
combat, which resulted in tie outlaws
capture, Tom was distressed beyond
measure. He faced his father the night
ne was brought to the Atlanta Jail with
Gears OF shame in his eyes, simply be-
'"use man almost twice his size had
o'eFpoWered him. The thought of the
punishment that awaited him for his
diany crimes seemed to take second.
"Iy place in his mind. HIS apologies
FaAI