davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

Sheriff Edwards notified the doomed
msn thar bis time had come; that the
efforts Of his counsel and friends iu
securing Q Communication to life impris-
onment had been without avail, to
which Inks made no reply. Apparently
hs vas not in the least affected. The
color, only that Of the natural palor
CAUSED from long confinement, had not
sssmingly left hm face, and beyond the
biting OF mustache, but little trace Of
his nsryousoess was visible.
The death warrant was signed De-
csmber 14th, fixing the date for the
execution on Wednesday, December
30th, 1896, and from this it was thought
the question which had been asked con
tinnously since Inks conviction, "will
hs ever hang" had been settled. But a
stay wss granted by Governor Stone,
and be ct the date for the execution
on Saturday, January 30th, and upsn
Goyernor Stone retiring from Office he
reesrred the matter to bis successor,
Governor Stephens. Every expedlent
which the cunning Of braIny lawyers
could devise, or which could be devised,
he'd failed. for the new governor, after
% sloquspt aud powerful plea for bis
client BY Mr.. John Kennish, on January
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

would do the best be could. This seem
cd to have the desired effect, and Inks
arose to his feet. apparently satisfied,
and shook hands with the sheriff and
others.
Rev. Klipinger then read from the 23d
Psalm, and offered up an earnest prayer.
Immediately afterwards he took his
position, shook hands with his minister,
sheriff and others, and while the straps
were being adjusted he said: Good
bye, I'm going nome now, soon to be
free, Brother Carr. Good bye to all Of
you down there; Good bye Jim," referr-
ing to James R. Brown, constable of this
township.
Sheriff Edwards quick eye glanced
over the scaffold, it indicated that he
found everything in proper shape for
swift execution of the law.
The moment was near, and a shiyer
seemed to have run through the crowd.
1t was weird and ghastly scene.
There was dimness in the light that
gave it appropriateness.
Without moments delay the last pre-
liminaries were arranged.
The straps about the ankel were ad-
iusted by Deputies Graham and Wicker
sham.
The slip moose was drawn tight about
the neck and the black cap was drawn
over the face and head and adjusted by
Ex-Sheriff Lincoln, of Andrew county.
Sheriff Edwards at exactly s:52 a. m,,
touched the lever, the crack Of the bolt
rang out, and James B. Inks shot through
the trap to his doom.
Life Gone in Fourier and One-Half
Minutes.
Exactly IA minutes and 80 seconds
elapsed between James B. Inks plunge
through the trap and the last beat ofthe
pulse. The body hung, turning from
side to side in the crisp, winter breeze,
exactly 30 minutes before the sheriff re-
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

John Patterson is avenged. The
heart throbs Of his slayer are st,lled.
james B. Inks 10 hanged. He was
plunged to death at exactly s:52 a. m.,
Saturday, January 30, 1897, and in l41s
minutes life was pronounced extinct by
Doctors Evans, county physician, assist
Cd BY Doctors Kearney, Green aud
Bullock.
He went to bis death calmly, and only
exhibited slight nervous weakening,
until be was dropped into the gloomy
spsoe beneath tne scaffold. Inks nerve
never deserted him. Even on the scaf-
fold hs was probably possessed OF as
little seriousness as any one in the
solemn aseemblage. Whether this was
nerve or blunted sensibillty We are un-
able to say, but We rather think it was
the latter. There was not the slightest
hitch in the execution, and our excel
lent sheriff did his work in q most
thorough manner. He was ably assisted
in his work by-Deputles Graham. Wick,
esShsm, and Currier.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

were permitted to be present in the
death chamber, we're representatives OF
the various newspapers and his spiritual
adviser, Rev. j. q. Keplinger, Of the
Evangelical church of this city.
To the representatives Of the press he
stated that he had no statement to make
to them and referred them to his attor-
neys, who would give them such infor-
nation as they might wish. He greeted
all cordially and with an air Of utter in
difference as to the near approach Of his
death.
Sheriff Edwards produced the death
warrant and while he read it, a death
like stiffness prevailed, aud the doomed
man did not seem affected 10 the least,
but gave an attentive ear to the reading
Of the death warrant:
WARRANT.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
COUNTY OF HoLr. '''
Be it remembered that at an adjourned
term of the Circuit Court within and for
the County of Holt in the State of Mis-
souri,, begun and held on the 18th day of
October, 1895, before the Hon. G. A.
Anthony, judge of said court, the fol-
lowing, among other proceedings were
had and entered Of record on the l1th
day of said adjourned term, the same
being on Friday, November, 8, 1895, to-
wit:
State Of Missouri, Plaintiff,
against Murder.
James B. Inks, Defendant,
Comes now the prosecuting attorney
on the part of the State, and comes also
the defendant in person, in custody Of
the sheriff of this county, and by his at
torney in open court. Whereupon comes
the jurors, herein, in custody of NJ. D.
Parsons, the officer sworn especially for
this purpose, and said jurors return into
open court the following verdict, to-wit:
Estate of Missouri, Plaintiff,
against
James B. Inks, Defendant.
We the jury empanelled and sworn to
try the above entitled cause, do find the
defendant guilty of murder in the first
degree. JOHN CURTIs, Foreman.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

18th, refused 10 interfere further, and
the Law was to be vindicated, and James
B. Inks must pay the penalty for the
killing Of John Patterson.
The Day Before.
The greater part OF the day before was
passed 10 religious worship, in company
with Rev. Kiplinger.
A large number Of persons called on
him during the afternoon and in fact q
constant stream Of callers was kept up
during the entire afternoon, his little 13
year old son and his min law Walter
Wade. OF Mound City, being among the
yisitsrs. All classes and conditions OF
our society were visitors; there we're old
and young, and strange to say many OF
the younger people seemed to possess
goodly amount Of morbid curiosity.
At Q late hour Friday night he went
to his bed and with his n pray the Lord
my soul TO keep" fell asleep, and seem
ineiy slept soundly, until shout six
O'Clock, when it took two calls from the
eherid 70 arouse him.
He carefully prepared bis toilet, know.
ing full we'll that he was preparing him.
ssle Tor his windoWless home. HIS toilet
prepared be was ready for
His Last Meal.
Iuks' breakfast at o'clock consisted
Of two fried eggs, and ham, coffee and
bread. He ate bis meal slowly, snd At
ter few minutes was through; be ate
reasonably hearty and seemed TO ENJOY
bis food. He spoke Of the uniform cour-
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
Mother
and Son.
Both sefaiy lcisd but Relief Is Found b D.. Williams
Pink Pills for Pale People.
From the Gull, Lafayette. Ind.

took DR.. Williams Pink Pills for Pale Peo-
ple and here I am we'll. I believe that Is
the most wonderful remedy ever made.
need not ext0l this remedy for all my neigh
bors know what my condition was and what
cured me. They will all tell you that it
was DIR. Williams Pink Pills.
My mother, who is seventy years old, was
also troubled with rheumatism and could
scarcely move. She was vry wakeful at
night and had no appetite Sine took i've
boxes of Dr.. Williams Pink Pills and nov
she is in perfect health, and ,loes all her own
work on flrm.
(Signed) J.w. BYERs."
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
10th day of August, 1896.
JAMES GooDwINE, Notary Public.
DR.. Williams Pink Pills are not looked
upon as q patent medicine, but rather as .
shows that they contain, In condemned form,
ell the elements necessary to give new life and
richness to the blood and restore shattered
nerves. They are an unfailing specific for
such diseases as locomotor ata1ia, partial pa
ralysis, st. Vitus' dance, sciatica, neuralgia,
rheumatism, nervous headache, the after effects
Of 10 grippe, palpitation of the heart, pale and
sallow complications, and the tired feeling re.
sulting from nervous prostration, all diseases
resulting from vitiated humors in the blood,
such as scrofula, chronic erysipelas, etc. They
ere also specific for troubles peculiar to
females, such as suppressions, irregularities
and all forms of weakness. They build up the
blood, and restore the glow Of health 70 pale
and sallow cheeks. They are for sale by all
druggists, or may be had by mail from DR..
Williams Medicine Company, Schenectady,
N. Y, for Soc. per box, or six boxes for $2.60.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

little one, and a. he walked out into the
corridor few tears glistened in hiseyes.
This was the only time that he showed
the least sign Of breaking down.
On the scafEoid.
The procession moved slowly and with
funeral tread went out of the cell on the
upper floor, down the winding stairway
to the ground floor, thence out the north
entrance into the Jail yard aud from
thence west to the machine of death.
At the west side of the stockade
stood the steps to the scaffold. On his
way to the scaffold and just after passing
outside the Jail yard he shouted .'Glory
to God, I'm Going Home"
just before the procession reached the
stockade, the trap was sprung as final
test. 1t worked to perfection. Ali. was
ready.
The procession ascended the stepssnd
with firm tread the doomed man pro-
ceeded to the trap and took his position
facing the north.
On the scaffold stood Sheriff Edwards
to the left and rear;Deputy Wickersham
to the right and front; Deputy Graham
to the left of Wickersham. To Inks
right was Rev. Kplinger, to his left was
Sheriff Lincoln, Of Andrew county, and
Deputy Beach, Of st. Joseph, Sheriff
Collins and Deputy Pixler. of Nodaway
county, representatives Of the press.
As this gathering stood in intense
silence before the scaffold, Inks upon
being asked if he had anything to
say, stepped to the front, and read the
21st to 29th verses of the 18th chapter
Of Ezekiel and the 3lst and 80 verses of
18th Chapter of Matthew.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

tesies and kindliness shown him by
Sheriff Edwards, and seemed TO appre-
ciate the efforts of bis attorneys in his
behalf. A close examination Of Inks'
pbysiognomy discloses that be was prob
ably one OF these men possessing the
reason and judgment Of sound mind
but without the sense Of moral RESPONSE
bility commonly included in the attri-
butes Of the soul.
Rev. Kiplinger, who was at the Jail at
an early hour, and DR.. c. L. Evans were
with him in his cell from the time he ate
breakfast until he went through the
trap into eternity.
With the first gray shades Of dawn
Sheriff Edwards called together bis
official aids and at a. m. proceeded to the
Death Chamber.
His immediates aids were Deputy
Sberlffs Frank Graham, and James NJ.
Wickershsm, Of this city, and Ed. Cur.
rier of Bigelow
The Official jury was composed OF
Or. G. L. Evans, Dr.J. r Kearney,
Abner Carson, Nichalos Stock,
h. L. Hershner, D. L. Nipher,
E. s. Mcdonald, AL. Hershner,
G. o. Proud. DR.. T. E. Bullock.
DR.. f. NJ. Green, John France.
The jury passing into the stockade
just before the arrival OF the sheriff, dep.
uties and the doomed man.
Almost every foot OF space was taken
and sea Of pale faces were turned TO-
ward Sheriff Edwards when he began
reading the death warrant.
Sheriff Edwards recognition for ad-
mission was on a white silk badge II
inches wide and six inches long upon
which was printed Deputy Sheriff."
In addition to his official aids, who
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

Immediately after hearing his death
sentence read, Inks turned to Rev. Kip.
linger and grasping his hand, said;
"Praise the Lord, Brother Kiplinger,
we'll soon be at home" The minister
returned the greeting in the orthodox
solemn style.
To this warrant the sheriff makes his
return "seryed the within writ by hang
ing the said james B. Inks at the time
and place aforesaid, until he was dead. "
Inks then took his place in the grim
procession, Bible in hand, for his death
march. His eyes were set straight to the
front. His face was rigid; not a tremor
shook his frame.
The procession was led by the sheriff,
then the doomed man and his minister,
and followed with the sheriff. immediate
sids.
When he reached the lower floor he
bid Mrs. Edwards good bye and walked
lcross the room to where Sheriff Ed
wards baby was lying. He kissed the
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
Mr.. Ward L. Smith, of Fredericks

Mr.. Ward L. Smith, Of Fredericks-
town, No.. was troubled with chronic
diarrhoea for over thirty years. He had
become fully satisfied that 1t wac only
question OF short time until be would
have to give up. He had been treated by
some OF the best physicians 10 Europe
and America bLt got no permanent re
lief. One day be picked up newspaper
and chapced to read IN advertisement
Of Chanberlain's Collie, Cholera and
Diarrhoea Remedy. He got q bottle Of
it, the first dose helped him and its con.
tinued use cured him. Fur sale by Clark
O. Proud.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

ed that Mr.. Carr send a copy OF his
paper giving particulars Of his execu
ton to the following: Mrs. C. N. Graves,
Denver, Colorado, Mrs. NJ. L. WIngler,
Attention, Mo-; w. r. Campbell. OF st.
Joseph and Mrs. d. A. Howell. Cook.
Nebraska. In this letter ofrequest TO NJ.
Carr, he closed by saying: 81 am So
happy. wall bid you good by, god bless
you"
His Statement
The doomed man few days before
his death, in letter to w. N. Carr. Of
the Mound City Times made the follow
inR statement:
Oregon, Mo-, Jan. %, 1857.
Mound City times-Mr Editor Dear
Sir want to say few words to thePeo-
pie of Mound City begging as haft to
leave this world for am satifide the
govner will not do any thing: Every
man and woman that says a man ought
wimen If it had OF bin your husbon min
Brother would you said hang him no
you would of done ever thing you could
for him: now Christ says love thy nabor
that and what did Christ say when the
Scribes and Pharisees brought the
woman taking in adultery to him did he
saw stone her to death no he said unto
them he that Is with out sin amoung you
let him first cast a stone at her did any
of them no for they had sined Christ says
nsathr do j condem the 60 and sin no
more the laws of this contry takes Part
In pur hnx
Moses says stone both to Death
ment and Put your wifi a way our law
says - to for most any thing. what dos
Christ say he says but from the begin
ming it was not so and say unto you
whosoever shall Put away his wife except
it be for fornication and shall marry an
other committeth adultery and whose |
commet adultery j see in reading my |
Bible that min has fixt the law to |
suite themselves beleave to the very \
bottom OF my hart ever word that Christ |
has said well as have but to more days |
to live will ask the Christian Peaple Of
this comfy to Pray God to for give them
that has caused me TO bee boung) the
People would not bleave my wife
nor me will ask ho node what the
truble vase a bout-the Peaple Of mound
city new more bout it then my wife
and did you have men in mound city
that came to oregon to the Reuion be
fore my tryel and talk skanlus a bout
my wife talked to men that live ina bout
forbes wher they new they would
haft to picked the jury thire is Peaple in
mound cith that has new her ever senc
zhe vas m child and thew can find ont her
character well as am going to bee hung
under stand that have got lots Of
friends in mound city now but Yhsr was
ng to send me to hell and they have had
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

Wu6reupOu tuc Sdlu uctcAfudues " LIS
said attorneys. files his motion for new
trial of this cause, which motion Is here
now taken up and submitted to the
court, and the court having heard and
considered said motion doth overrule
same. And comes now defendant by his
said attorneysand files motion in arrestof
Judgment, which said motion in arrest
is now here taken up, submitted to the
court, and by the court overrulee. And
now here the defendant in open court
is informed by the court that having
been found guilty of murder in the first
dergee, by jury of his countrymen, as
charged in the indictment, and being
now asked by the court if he has any
legal cause to show why judgment should
not be pronounced according to law, and
still failing to show such cause, it is
therefore sentenced ordered and adjudged
by the court that said defendant, James
B. Inks, be remanded to the Jail Of Holt
County, Missouri, from whence he came,
and safely kept therein by the sheriff Of
said county until the 3rd day of January,
1895. when the said sheriff Of said Holt
county on said January 8, 1896, at the
court house yard in the city of Oregon,
Holt County, Missouri, shall hang the
said defendant, James B. Inks, by the
neck until he is dead.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
COUNTY OF Holt.
1, Gouv. Morris, Clerk Of the Circuit
Court, within and for the County of
Holt in the State aforesaid, hereby GER
tify that the above and foregoing
is true copy of the judgment and SEN
tence OF the court in the cause therein
named, as the same appears Of record in
my Office.
That the mandate attached hereto is
the original mandate certified from the
Supreme Court of the State Of Missouri
to this court.
In testimony whereof have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
lshAh1 of said court this 14th day of
December, A. D., 1895.
Cow. MORRIS,
Circuit Clerk.
In the Supreme Court of Missouri, Di-
vision No. 2, October Term, 1899.
STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent,
vs..
JAMES B. INKS, Appellant.
Appeal from the Holt County Circuit
Court.
Now, at this day, come again the par
ties aforesaid, by their RESPECTIVE attorn-
c;a1t1n T adS;s.J ~ and cons;der;ng the
nra,,;so. dnth cnns;Je, and adindoe
that the judgment aforesaid, in form
aforesaid, by the said Holt County Cir
cut Court rendereo, oe IN an taings
fsct I IN and "I that T The ~ s.;d i'd resnondent @ re-.
cover against the said appellant its costs
and charges herein expended, and have
tnereior execasl9n, Aad !" rs. is iuaome ao,,et
that the judgement and sentence of the
Holt County Circuit Court passed upon
the said James b. Inks, appellant mere.
~, Ia, 70 o 1eoe uu Su - III Tr THE. u "u a.ecn,od y
by the sheriff of Holt county on the 3Oth
day of December, 1895. Opinion filed.(
state OF missouri Sct. l, Jno. n:
% ar St..e osf 10 M;0s,r; ~: SuS capt;fv .bot tba
so-o,,o;r, :. . S,,ll <,,,o ond ooy,,v,lofo
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

leased the rope. Those within the stock
ade struggled to see the dead mans face.
When the black cap and rope were r--
moved, the face disclosed no discolora-
ton. yet the features seemed to ave
those who took look.
The neck was not broken. and where a
man Of his weight. l2J pounds. with n
large neck, it is rare indeed that they die
in this manner, but from strangulatinn,
which was the case with Inks He, Of
course, was never conscious Of il. He
was dead to all intents and purposes the
instant Sheriff Edwards sent the trap
down. The doctors placed their fingers
on the pulse; their ears placed over the
heart; in just l4la minutes they looked
to Sheriff Edwrrds and they said: He
is dead" and the jurors, aids, and Others
within the stocksde filed out from the
hous.. OF death.
The awful scene was over. and many
seemed to long to be outside the stock
ade.
The body was taken down at 9::!,a a. M.
having hung for Just thirty minutes Il
was then taken down and placed in a
neat, hospital case, which had been
placed beside the scaffold on the ground.
Undertaken Denny made all the arrange
ments and prepared the body. IL Was
then placed in box, and the remains
were at once placed in charge Of ID. A.
Young, liveryman of this city, and taken
to Mound City overland.
Inks was robed in a neat suit Of black.
and the cut in our columns We regard rs
near a perfect likeness as it is possible to
get.
Instructions for Burial.
Inks in b private letter 10 his friends
made the request that he be barred 10
the Caten grave yard OF the road b-txsen
Mound City and Craig, and named ihs~e
he desired to act ss poll bearers. and
were: j. b. Denny, W. NJ. Carr. Jno.
Steele aud Jno. Clark. Of Mound CITY;
that the funeral be Conducted from
Mound City ard by the Christian
church denomination. He also request
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

Chicora, Pa, "HsraId:" Richard Ven.
sci reports One Minute Cough Cure the
greatest success OF medical science. He
told us that 1t cured his whole family
OF terrible coughs and colds, after all
other 90 called cures bad failed entirely.
Mr.. Vensel SAID it assisted his children
through very bad siege OF measels
One Minute Cough Cure makes expec-
tnration very easy and rapid. Sold by
T. s. Hiude.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
Did You Ever

Try Electric .Bitters as q remedy for
your troublssf II not, get bottle now
and get relisf. This medicine has been
found % be peculiarly adapted 10 the
reliee and cure Of Ill Female Complaints,
sxsrtiog wonderful direct influence
In diving streugth and tone to the
oresps. II you have Loss OF Appetite,
Oonstipatioo, Headache. Painting Spells.
a sse Nervous, Sleep!ses, Excitable.
Nslasohoiy or troubled with Dizzy
Spsals, Electric B,ttsrs 10 the medicine
you need. Health and Strength are
guarantsed BY its use. Large bcttles
oniy hfty cents 1t Clark 0. Prouds
drug store.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
Bucklen's Arnica Salve.

The Best Salve in the world for cuts
Bruises, Sores. Ulcers, Salt Rheum-
Fever Sores. letter. Chappsd Hands
Chilblaius. Ccrns, and oil Skin Erup.
tions. and positively cures Pilee, or no
psy required, It 10 guaranteed to give
perfect satisfaction or money .fefundsd.
Price 25 cents per. boz. Fur sale by
Clark u. Pruud,
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
SfArh or OBIo, CRY OF ToLEDo, !
IA,cAs COuNrY

FRASK j. CHENEy makes oath iba the
- the senior partner of the drm Of p. J.
Cheney 4 Co, dning business in the
Ci,y OF Toledo, County aud State sfose-
said. and that s;.'d 6rm sill pay the
sum Of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS
for each and every case Of Cstsrrh that
cannot be cured BY the uss of HALLis
CArARRH Cure.
PRANK. CHENEY.
! asorn 10 bSfose me snd subscribed 10
my presence, this 9Th day OF Oecsnber.
A..D- 1sa6. A. W. GLEASON.
. SEAL Notary Public.
Halrs Catarrh Cure IL taken internally
and acts directly ON the blood and
mucous surfaces Of the system. Send for
testimonials, free.
FL. CHENEY 4 co, Toledo. o.
Sold by druggists, 75c.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

II we could trace Dyspepsia to ITS
source, it would lead back to our
kitchens. 10 fact, the secret OF good
health is good cooking. Ii we'll cooked.
foods are partially dieested; if poorly
cooked, they are less digestible than 10
their raw state. II you are victim OF
faulty cooking; that is, IL you suffer
from Dyspepsia, the rational cure must
be looked for 10 an artificially digested
food, and food which will at the same
time aid the digestion OF other foods,
Such q preparation virtually rests the
tired digestive organs, thereby restoring
them to their natural strength.
The Digestive Cordial, as prepared by
the Shakers of Mound Lebanon, is Just
euch preparation, and q single 10 cent
bottle will convince you OF it's value. II
your druggist doesn't keep it, he will be
glad to get it through his wholesale
house
LaxOl is the best medicine for chill
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

A torpid liver means bad omplexion,
bad breath. Indigestion and frequent,
headaches. To avoid such compeuions
take DeWitts Little Early Risers, the
famous little pills. Sold BY T. 8. Hinde.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

The Murderer of John Patterson
Swung Into Eternity.

Cool and Nervy to the End Sleeps soundly
During His Last Night On Earth-'Dead
141-2 Minutes After the Drop Was
sprung---Body Hangs 80 Minutes Before
Being Taken Down--Full Details of the
First Legal Execution in the History of
the County.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05

LaxOl is the best medicine for chill
dreu. Doctors recommend it 10 place
Of Castor Oil.
The Holt County sentinel., 1897-02-05
Sarsaparilla
:. -.., are the best a3ter11nn0
Hoods Pills piIis. aid digestion. "a

Prepared only BY c. I. Hood & Co.. Lowell. Mass
pa surs n Oet HooD's and only HOODS.