Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-16

when he was but a boy, and neighbors
inveigled him into stealing. He had been
guilty of several thefts and burglary,
but never committed any serious offense
except when he shot at Bass. He did not
know whether he nit Bass or not. He
had made up his mind to leave Bart
Wednesday following the evening he was
shot. He charged all his misfortunes to
having been led astray by neighbor
and supposed friend when a youth.
Painter was suffering too much to talk
freely of his religious convictions, but ex-
pressed belief in Christianity, and
again. He said he thought he would
die, though he hoped not, but il he died
he wished his body sent to his home in
Georgia and buried by the side of his
mother.
Painters Last Hours.
Yesterday morning when DR.. Gillespie
and the Jail warden, with assistants,
went to change Painters position he was
lying on his back and evidently bleeding
internally and suffering very much.
When turned over the blood began flow
ing from the bullet holes in his body and
the pain partially ceased. Later, how
ever, he began to suffer very much and
opiates We're freely administered.
About 1:30 o'clock all consciousness
disappeared and his breathing became
painful and slow. Slower and slower
were the respirations until at 240 o'clock
his soul winged it's way to the great be-
yond.
BY the dying mans side were DIR. Gill
lespie and Warden DAILY, and as the last
gasp was on the mans lip Night Warden
Mclaughlin appeared in the doorway.
Painters Father Notified.
Mr.. Cole informed the reporter that at
the request of Painter he wired his ia
ther at Ellijay, Ca, that he was badly
wounded and to come at once to Bir-
mingham. The message was sent from
Horse Creek. In short time Mr.. Cole
received an answer to the telegram ask
ing for more information and the address
where his son could be found. Mr.. Cole
replied, stating briefly that his son was
badly wounded and would be found at
the county Jail in Birmingham. A reply
was received saying Mr.. Painter would
De mere as soon as possible. He is ex-
pected this morning.
No Doubt as to Identity.
Among those who viewed the remains
OF Thrasher were many who knew him In
life and there was no room left for doubt
as to their identity.
Disposition of the Body.
Mr.. Cole wired Thrashers family at
Big Springs that the remains were here
and asked what disposition should be
made of them. An answer was received
asking that they be shipped to Big
Springs. Another message was sent
oedtiIS lndI lueTe was an expense Tor
preparing the remains and for a casket
NO answer was received during the af-
ternoon, but last night arrangements
were made and the body will be shipped
this morning.
The Rewards.
There was a reward of $4OO for Thrash
er, dead or alive, and 5000 for Panther
These rewards, it is understood, will be
turned over to the two men who succeed
ed in stopping their career
Took Supper With an Ex-Deputy.
Deputy Sheriff Hewitt (under the ad-
ministration of Sheriff Morrow was at
the morgue of Warner & Smiley last
night viewing the remains of Thrasher
and Painter. Mr.. Hewitt lives at Little
Warrior. He says that Thrasher, Paint
er, Chamblee and Cook took supper at
his house last Friday night. While he
did not know ThraSher he recognized
him when he went to the door and in
vited him and party In. They were all
drinking. Thrs sher and Painter rather
full. They discussed the Scriptures, Bart
saying that he did not think much there
was hell, for he had experienced one
here on earth.
After supper Bart asked for his bill
and displayed roll of paper money and
some silver. Mr.. Hewitt judged he must
have had $50 or $70.
Bart remarked that he had broken open
four or five freight cars recently and
scattered meat and flour "promiscuous-
ly." He did it, he said, hoping that
Barnes Morgan, who killed his father
several years ago, when he (MorgaD ar
rested Jim Morrison, since killed by Mr..
Cole, would come down to investigate.
He knew Morgan was in the service of
the railroad as detective. Morgan, he
said, was on his string, and this was the
time he expected to get him.
Mr.. Hewitt says that Chamblee is only
playing to the gallery" that there is no
game in him.
Bart remarked" said Mr.. Hewitt,
while at my house that he wanted to
meet Mr.. Cole. He was satisfied he him
self had been lied about, and if they
could meet their personal matters could
be settled. He said he was willing for
each to select friend, and that they
both be disarmed and meet and talk over
the matter, 1 intended to come to Bir-
mingham and see Cole and would have
done so had the killing not occurred.
"Thrasher said he had made the woods
his home for eleven years, and had tired
of It, He looks very natural"
State Herald Man Recognizes Painter.
The city editor of the State Herald call
ed at Warner & Smiley's last night and
saw the corpses of Thrasher and Painter
lying side by side. He recognized at
once Painter as the man who came to
the State Herald office in company with
another party about ten days ago and
asked that Thrasher's side be publish
ed. 1t will be remembered that an in
terview was published giving Thrasher's
side relative to the shooting by the dep
uties at Coalburg. The names as pub
lshed were discovered several days after
to be assumed, as no men by that name
had been around Blocton or Coalburg.
They stated on leaving that they would
see Thrashcr and If the State Herald
would publish his letter as written he
would write his side as 1t was. This was
agreed to, the editor little thinking of
ever again hearing from Thrasher as the
parties were drinking.
1t was between II and IL o'clock when
they called. and on the same night
Thrasher was reported to be in Birming
ham,
When Thrashers letter was published
Deputy Cole recognized the phraseology
and came to the State Herald office to
see the manuscript of the letter, he hav-
ing at the time two letters written by
Thrasher. The letters were compared
and the chriograrhy and photography of
them were found to be the same.
The story of the callers was told to Mr..
Cole and he said they were none other