The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-30
Al Few Minutes Before Eleven
This Morning.
1IEEKS' ARE AVENGED.
Three Hundred Spectators Wit
ness the Hanging.
Mrs. Meeks, Who Stood Near the
Seahold Nearly Tainted.

LaEEDlIEQLls Mo- "a Ei- IA as- --- -~
Tor. who with his brother George muir
dered the Meeks family, was hanged
ia the Jail here a few minutes before
ii O'Clock this morning.
Carrollton was a mixture Of poht-
ical convention. Christmas and popular
fencftation. visitors to the city had
come from all around and all were anz-
i0us to see Taylor swung into eternity
and most Of them glad to hilarity that
the Meeks family murder was at last
to be avenged
Taylor spent q. night practically de-
void Of sleep and this morning his eX-
preston was that of resignation. After
receiving the benediction Of Father
Kennedy early last evening and being
received into the Catholic church, he
spent his remaining hours in medita-
ton. during which he would frequently
kiss the crucifix given him by the
priest.
AS late as IL o'clock he talked to
group of reporters and others and
little later quietly gave directions TO
an undertaken about the disposition OF
his body. He ate sparingly at break
fast and spent the time before his exc
cution in pacing his cell Shortly De
fore beginning the death march. Tay-
lor handed a letter to his lawyer
marked ITO the Public"
That's my last and only statement
he said. In it the murderer said that
prejudice and perjury had convicted
him and that the mobs and that ele-
rnent had bounded him to his grave
He had hoped to at least live till the
good people realized the injustice done
him. but he was prepared to meet his
Cod.
READING THE DEATH WARRANT.
no
death warrant at 1876 and a minute
later the march to the gallows was be-
gun. Taylor walked between Stanley
and Undersherim Allen, Father Ken
nedy followed. chanting. Taylor walked
firmly, carrying q crucidx. His eyes
We're set straight to the front and he
remained stolid to the last
AS he appeared before the 800 eager
spectators who had been admitted to
the stockade a few minutes before an
audible expression of qualification arose
from the avenged CarroItonites-
Sheriff Stanley pulled the trap at 1877
and Taylor shot through to death. Not
a muscle quiVered. In eleven minutes
he was pronounced dead
Old Mrs A1eeks, who stood near the
scaffOld. almost tainted
Taylor's lawyers paid him their last
visit at 9 o'clock.
'sWeIl. # T had 50 days more I would
never hang, said Bill They are hang
ing an innocent man
Inc woman III oAGAAAA CLdl4Ey 5 PAL
lor. situated near the murderer's cell
laughed and chatted as if the occasion
was one of merit rather than death
The prisoner could hear all that was
going on in and about the jail and once
he got UP from his chair and drew him
self uD high on the grating to catch
a glimpse Of the crowd His lips Quiv
cred and he looked pleadingly at the
spectators His nerve seemed remark
able.
At 10 O'Clock the spectators We're ad-
frn "a Not
men presented tickets. All were eager
ly awaiting the appearance Of the pris-
oner, and many chuckled at the fac
that he had at last been brought t
justice
At 1920 Father kennedy entered in,
prisoners cell to offer extreme unctioI
to the condemned man. Old Mrs
Meeks saw the priest when he entered
and crowded her way to the door tx
listen to the administration. Finally
hymn was sung. This was too mucl
for Taylor and he instinctively claspeC
the crucifix to his breast while his bod.
shook with emotion.
BY 1O:45 fully 200 men, women ant
children surrounded the Jail All wer
apparently more happy than otherwise
Shortly thereafter Sheriff Stanle.
mounted the gallows and addressing
the spectators requested all to remov
their hats Presently Taylor came out
side the Jail.
some women IOiIDWeQ the death pro
cession of officers and prisoner and re
spending to the chanting of the priest
Taylor mounted the steps with sligh
assistance and stood in the middle o
the trap His face was rigid and no
a tremor shook his form While tn
priest was stiM praying. j. p. Ross,
deputy, strapped. Taylor's ankles.
Allen pulled the rope tight arOunl
his neck and Deputy Cummings adjust
ed the black cap; the prisoner made IL
last remark. and all ready, the ira
was sprung by Sheriff Stanley at 1881
The body shot through the trap. turn
Ing from side to side when it reache
the length of the rope
Exactly Is minutes Is seconds eIaps
ed and Taylor was pronounced deac
The death certificate was soon signed
the cover to the coffin screwed ON am
the pau bearers took up the burde
and started for the undertakers
A jeering, laughing, hand-clappin
crowd greeted the arrival of the cor
tege outside the stocl1ade and a soua
Of company followed to prevent an
disturbance.
George Taylor, who plotted the crin
for which Bill was hanged today an
who was to have been executed at tn
same time as his brother. is stiu .
large. the result Of his escape tvv
weeks ago
May Have Seen Better Days.