Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-17
PAINTER SEES HIS DEAD BOY
Nursed a Vain Hope That He
Might Be Alive.
TOOK THE REMAINS HOME
Big Hearted Men Assisted the Stricken Father
in Defraying Expenses
Body Shipped Yesterday

The last chapter in the Thrasher-
Painter tragedy. if such it might be
termed, will have been closed when to-
days sun shall have set.
Ere this the remains of Bart Thrasher
have been laid in the grave and by night
fan those OF Emmett Lester Painter will
have been placed within the narrow
confines of the tomb.
The burial of these two men, young
in years, is finale to eventful lives, lives
which, when Created. by their Maker,
were intended for higher and loftier pur-
poses than that of the murderer and des-
perado.
The Remains Sent or
Yesterday morning, as previously
stated in these columns, the remains of
Bart Thrasher were shipped to Big
Springs, Bib county, consigned to his
aunt, who had arranged settlement for
alf-the expenses incurred in preparing
and shipping his remains. None of his
Selatives were here to accompany them.
Painters Father Arrives.
At noon yesterday Mr. W. b. Painter,
the aged father of Emmett Lester Paint
er, arrived in the city from his home in
Ellijay Ga, hoping against hope that
he might find his son yet alive He
made his way to the Warner-Smiley I'M
deftaking rooms, and there had his first
look at his son since May l last, when
he left home.
When the covering was raised from the
face of his wayWard son, now cold in
death, the old man bowed his head and
sobbed aloud, saying: 1T is he! 1t is
her'
Those who were present could but feel
pang of sorrow for the erlef-stricken
old man, whose son had suffered such an
ignominious death.
The Dead Boys History.
Mr.. Painter gave brief history of his
son as follows He was in his 18th year
and q good boy. He left home May l and
went to Chattanooga. Here he was ia
ken sick and was i'll eleven days. He
wrote to an uncle for money, which was
sent him. He then came to Coa1burg
and secured work with man named
Woods, who came from near Elljay. In
the letter written from Coalburg he re-
quested me to write to him at Pratt CITY,
L did so, but he never received the letter,
as it was returned to me. The next let
ter instructed me to write to him at
Horse Creek in care of j. d. Cook. /
wrote, but never got reply from him.
l heard from him once through young
lady. He would have been 10 years old
next month. His mother died four years
ago. He was never in but one scrape,
and was an innocent party in 1t. He
was under 500 bond, which I paid.
Albert Freeman who killed negro a
Pratt City three or four years ago, was
my son-in-law, and l supposed Lester
had gone there, but 1 have never heard
from Freeman or his wife
Bears Good Reputation. a
Mr.. Doc Satterheld, the manager of
the Dude saloon, knows Mr. Painter and
says he is a most estimabe man and
bears good reputation in and around
Ellijay.
A Friend in Need.
Mr.. Satterfeld met Mr.. Painter and on
learning that he was in stringent cir
eulnstances, lacking in funds to take his
sons body home, went out and soon had
the necessary amount raised. Seven dol
lars of the money was raised in the
Florence pool room in about as many
minutes.
Took the Body Home.
Mr.. Painter left yesterday Afternoon at
Ais O'Clock. for home with his sons re-
mains.
As to Mr.. John Redd
Mr. John Redd of Blocton whose name
has been mentioned in some of the re-
ports about Bart Thrasher and his gang,
is an exemplary member of the church
and stands very high in Blocton. He has
never been connected with the Tlrrashers
In the remotest manner.
By misprlntein yesterdays report the
name of Deputy Sheriff Hewlett was
changed into Hewitt -