The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-15
aS7RsNGE SCENE.
q CorJemncd Murderer Presches To Ills
Fellow Prisoners,

Cordemnod Murderer Presches TO Ills
Fellow Prisorers.
Ii. S. Perry. the condemned muir.
derer OF Belly Lanier, who was hanged
on last Wednesday, conducted religi'
Gus services in the Atlanta Jail the
Sunday before no was hung, and
preached a sermon to the 300 convicts
assembled that led to scenes dramatic
almost bevond description.
When DR.. Stevenson, the chaplain :,
visited the prison this mornidg Perry
requested permission to lead the morn
ing services and the sheriff consent
ing the chaplain also gave his consent.
The condemned man YVES unclaimed
and taken into the chapel. where all
the convicts were assembled. After
DR.. Stevenson had introduced him to
his strange audience he took position
back of the little pulpit as calmly and
with as much self.assurance as though
the matter was an every day occur.
renee with him. He read two chap
ters from the Bible and chose as his
text: Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved"
Perry began by saying that he was
to be hanged within three days, and
that he felt it to be his duty to take
advantage of the little time spared
him to do some coed among his fellow
men. He earnestly and eloquently
urged those about him to reform and
live honest lives hereafter. He told
them how thankful they ought to be
that so much time was spared them,
He spoke of leaving his wife and FIVE
children with no one to care for them.
Here some of the convicts began to
sob and wall. Negroes wrung their
hands and fell down on their knees,
shouting and praying.
Perry said that while his children
must grow up to learn that their faith
er had died on the gallows he had no
fear but that they would some day
learn to revere his memory and to love
him for sacrificing his own life to save
their mothers honor.
"Tbe thought of leaving these dear
ones behind" he said, 'is all I have to
regret, but am consoled to great
extent for I know when I am gone
they can come to ne. Then when We
meet all will be joy. There will be no
more parting. We can all j1in the
heavenly band, where there Will be no
more sorrow, but everything will be
love and joy. ,
"Ot course it will always be hurled
in on my dear childrens' faces how
their father met his death. Thank
God. their good mother can tell them
why was put to death by the hands
of the law, and this pure woman is
the only living one that knows the
whole truth which wicked men have
refused to believe.
This dear mother will not only de
liver the sad message, but she can re-
peat these glorious words, while your
father died on the gallows. thank God
he died trusting the Lord And this
dear mother can read the 2rald prom
ises of Jesus to them and teach them
the way they can 20 to that land of
rest and be with their father forever,
where death and sorrw are not known,
II feel thankful I have no envy in
my heart against any one, but my love
runneth out to everybody. With
these beautiful promises and many
others that make my heart rejoice, ]
feel it is only short step to the pres
ence of God, where I can meet those
loved ones who have gone before.
"This, of course, will be g. sad part
ing here with my dear wife, loving
children, sfectionate brothers and Sis.
ters, but oh, what joyful meeting l
will have. A father and mother, also
a brother and one sweet little child
of mine, are awaiting my coming on
the other shore, and when I am gone l
hope not one soul will wish for me
back on this vile and sinful world,
but that every one will now prepare
to meet me in the sweet by and by.
May God bless and keep His dear ones
from sio."
His audience finally became Sc dem.
onstrative that he could proceed only
with difficulty, and he called on the
prison choir to sing. Taylor Delk, the
outlaw, whose son Tom was hanged
few weeks ago, and who himself is
to be hanged next month, arose in his
place and led the singing, waving his
long arms wildly in front OF his ex-
cited chorus.
In conclusion Perry asked every man
present who honestly meant to reform
and would try to meet him in heaven
to come forward and SHAKE his hand,
and every man among them accepted
tha In nuitatinn