Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1898-06-08
PARKER K HANGED.
EXeeutiot of Confessed Train Rob and Murderer in the Court
 House Yard Today.
He NestS His Fate With a StOieal COmpCsure and Maintains an Outward show of
 Courage,


 Outward show Of
 Courage.
 IL was four o'clock this morning before James Parker, the condemned murderer, closed his eyes Tn sleep, on the last night for him on earth. Even then his sleep was ftful and broken and onlv lasted for couple of hours
 Last night, for the first time since his incarceration, he asked for whIs- ky tn stimulate him. and he drank freely though not to the point of in- toxicatiOn of it. Sheriff Rutfuer re- mained with him in hIs cell until long after midnight and Parker talked freely of his past life, telling the details of the train robbery, for which he was first arrested and which afterwards led to the murder for which he today paid the penalty with his life.
 As stated, about four o'clock this morning he dropped of into sleep, but was mp bright and early again for the day and partook of hearty breakfast.
 He was shaved this morning and was given a new black suit and white shirt, for his final appearance. Father Quetu, his spiritual adviser, visited him in the jail shortly after nine o'clock and spent about three quarters of an hour with him ad- ministering spiritual consolation, which he received with apparent interest.
 Shortly after 10 o'clock Sheriff Ruffner read the death warrant to him, and al 1925 the march to the scafold was commenced. Sheriff Rufuer had hold of his left arm while Deputy Jeff Davis was on his right, Father Quetu and Deputies J. P. Dillon and Pete Boscha and ex-Deputy Johnny Munds, follow ing them.
 As Parker emerged from the gloom of the jail, in which he has been confined for more than a year. into the bright sunshine of an un- clouded Arizona sky, and his gaze rested on the instrument erected for his death he was visibly affected and faltered for an instant. Quickly gathering his cOmpOsure, though, as they were about to lead him up the stairs of the scatfOld, he said: Hold on boys, l want to look at this thing; 1 never looked atone be- fore" Sheriff Rutfner permitted him to go under the scafold and ex- anime 1t and he spent a minute or two at It seeming to be especially interested in the mechanism of the trap which was to be the instrument within the next few minutes of transferring him from the environ menis of earth into the great un- known beyond.
 During his examination of this he made several remarks to the sheriff but which were not audible to >the spectators, who were ranged at some distance from the scafold. After finishing his inspection of the scatfold from beneath, be walked with steady step up the stairs and getting on the trap stepped heavily upon 1t as if to try its strength. See ing the heads of two nails, he re- marked: Il will sat my feet right . on these two nails" He then took his slippers of, threw them careless ly on the floor of the scafOld. At this moment seeing J. D. Moore the spectators, he saluted him with a smile, saying, Hello Jack. how are they breaking?"
 As Sheriff Ruffner commenced to buckle the straps around his legs. be said, Take your time George, there Is no use in putting them on; l am not going to straddle out; you needn't worry"
 When his arms and legs had been pinioned, Under Sheriff Dillon told him that if he had anything to say he could do so now, when he said: T have net much to say. 1 claim that l am getting something that ain't due me, but 1 guess every man who Is about to be hanged says the same thing, so that don't cut no figure; whenever the people says I must go, am one who can go, and make no kick" II
 The black cap was then drawn down over his face when he said, Hold on, want to shake hands with the boys"
 The cap was removed, when he shook hands with all on the scaffold, saying that he had DO i'll feelings toward any one. After shaking hands with all be motIoned to Jailor , Morgan and shook hands with him s second time, holding his hand for 3 few seconds, remarking: Its all Off; tell the boys (meaning those in the jail that died game and like a man."
 The black cap was then again 1rswn ever his face and Under Sher- if Dillon was adjusting the rope, while Sheriff Rufner had his hand On the lever of the trap prepared to spring it, when he said: Don't get excited; George you put her on"
 Although Under Sheriff Dillon had the rope already adjusted properly, Sherlf Ruhner gave 1t pull and at the same moment sprung the trap, when Parker shot downward six feet, the whole thing being done so quickly that the spectators could watch the movements.
 The trap was sprung at exactly l0:31, after which there were sev- sral convulslYe twitches of the legs after the body fell, which were the only motions perceptible.
 Drs. E. W. Butcher and J. R. Walls were the official physicians in attendance and timed his pulse. At the expiration of ten minutes and fiity-four seconds life was de dared extinct and the body was .aken down. An examination of it showed that the neck was broken in !, he fall.
 When the black cap was removed his features appeared perfectly natural, with the excep- .sAv .DF fhn 1.I-