The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-06-11
[NKMARTIN'S EXECUTION
~ Yesterday at Wharton fot
the Croker Murder.
bsT ANOTHER GALLONS HORROR.
none Cut Deep into the Con.
..mned Mans Neck, Causing
the Blood to 0ush Forth.

...op Texas, June 10.--At an early
this morning the streets teemed with
a. Of people. in buggies. wagons and
orseback to see the execution Of Frank
in which ends the tragic history sur
ding the murder OF the Croker family.
hour OF execution had been set for
clock. but Sheriff Rich changed the
this morning to II o'clock; this was
40 that Martins body could be
ned ON the evening train to his former
in Rains county, Sheriff Rich naying
pised TO do SO several days ago to the
emned man.
srtln awoke in good spirits this MORN
and at an early hour received his spir-
adviser. Rev. MIR. Mare, who has
constant and faithful in his attend
administering every consolation to
hin for some days.
srtin made full confession, admitting
participancy in the crime for which to-
be gave up his life, in response to the
He claimed. however. that other
lies shot Mrs. Croker first, though he
not attempt to screen himself.
br some time back Martins mind has
en- religious turn. and in more way
one has he shown that he was i'm
esed with the seriousness OF the fate
ch confronted him. His guards speak
lin with much favor. having given them
10 or no trouble during his whole con-
ment Of three years.
few minutes before the execution the
|th warrant was read to the condemned
b In his cell. He was then led to the
lows by Sheriff Rich and his guards,
ENDED by the Rev. Mr.. Mare. Martin
bid make no public statement. Merry
the last, he evinced only stolid indlf
ence.
dartin, being tall man. feet 4 inches
b, the earth below the trap was re-
wed for two feet. The cap was ad-
ted, push of the bar, and Martin
Ppped fully hve feet. A strange fate
ms to attend executions by law in
parton. The rope being tightly drawn.
deep into Martins neck. and the blood
ehed forth in torrents
People expected another gallows horror.
the murderer. Jack Fields, when his
% was severed. Williamson. the other
rderer. 1t will be remembered. was
bged twice.
The attending physician having pro-
pnced Martins life extinct, the body was
down, placed in its coffin, and nut on
train for shipment.
Today is enacted the last sad scene in the
tory OF the Croker murder. which or
red in this county in May. 1896, and for
lcn two men have rendered I'M tbeir
= ana Two more are in the penitentiary
lie. The place where the CHASTITY crime
committed is Wild lonely tract oil
~ on the extreme western border of the
anV. Here for years the Williamson
my nad ruled with an Iron hand, hold :
supreme dominion as under the old
iuN system Few cared to intrude on
~ self appointed Kingdom; none dared
nAn. y. c. Croker and wife, with a
l-year- old boy, concluded to east their
win these people. They bore the repu-
non OF being an honest, peaceable, hard
prklng FAMILY, but they could not agree
10 tne original Sandyites Disputes soon
use and charge of cattle theft was con-
c'ed against Crocker He was arrested,
Ken TO Hdlletsville and placed in jail.
nen brought to triad he was acquitted
rHng Crocker's absence his house was
[sHea ana George Williamson arrested
u u!ed Tor the crime, but was acquitted,
Pm lack OF evidence. About this time
q appeared upon the scene, starting a
y ranch on the "Sandies." He claimed
nave purchased the Crocker land from q
tmtr tenant, but the Crackers did not
INIT the claim. Day took possession OF
portion and built a house and placed a
|n'er IN possession. On Crocker's return
y trouble commenced which resulted In
[cker killing Day. In February the place
y 10 nave been turned over to Frank and
"a Martin, herce their part In tho ter
w drama. Event after event took place.
ieadlng step by step to the fearful end.
" IN the evening Of the 10th OF May
locAfe was out On the prairie driving up
Y oxen. Here he encountered Jim William
y VINO fired upon him, the shots taking
eIect- Croker ran for the house OF
u ~, Colourn, about 400 yards away. Jim
'lliamson was soon reinforced by Frank
run. Jim Martin and others.
sucker reached Colburn's house and
'' s refuge there with his wife aud
n"' VINO had Joined him to share his
- me attacking party had assembled
sn old pen about seventy-tive yards
em the house, where the victims waited.
~ inc assault commenced and soon q
t'ect fusilade Of bullets whistied around
~ mouse. Mrs. Croker left the house. 10
4 81 heip' When about 200 yards on the
a'fle her flight was discovered. Some OF
. mob pursued her. Willis she pleaded
7 mercy they shot her down, and, leaving
wounded on the plain, returned 10
'mplets their terrible task. For hours tn
~ woman listened to the shots and heard
= p'eous cries of her husband and son
eney fought their hopeless fight. The
!" = was battered in and Croker finished,
u, iittle boy being dragged away from his
wing place and killed. Then the hour {
- hred. The crowd then sought Mrs
'.her as she lay suffering on the prar' .
'ne darkness. She heard them COMING
n, asked for water and the reply was,
= ~ your hour has comet" Placing q
Il, % her head. one of the murd 3re.s
ra,, u tne trigger. The ball shattered her
, W., ana POWDER burned her face and hair
~ ANY the term of district court In April
49, uecrge Williamson and Jim Marin
Nrs the life sentence. Martin as the
,cas OF Croker and Williamson as an
, .s.s Jim Williamson was given the
!, IsI penalty ana paid the forfeit with his
!. yune 20. 1897, and now, for the MUIR
4. y. MIS- Croker, Frank Martin pays the
4 me offended majesty OF the Law b.
i ueatn, which adds the final chapter To
~. ms most bloody feuds that has
-su tne annals OF Whortou county.