The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-07-01

stating that he was compelled to leave. As
Cook shook the minister's extended hand
he said: "Good-by; meet me in heaven"
Talked to Reporters
1t was just LEO o'clock when Sheriff
o'Brien, accompanied by representatives
of the three daily papers, entered the
room to read the death warrant. He shook
hands with the prisoner and said: Frank,
these gentlemen of the press desire to
know II you wish to make a statement.
If you wish to talk to them you may do
so, but understand that you do not need
to talk unless you so desire"
Cook, who was standing with crossed
hands, gazed steadily at the reporters for
a moment and then began to,talk. He said:
Il am to die this morning for something
some other man did. l am an innocent man.
| am SO glad | am going to a better world
than this. They have called me everything.
They have seorned me and 1 am glad that
there is a day coming when a just God
shall judge all things. He knows there is
no stain on my heart and the day is coming
when all men shall see that am not guilty
of this thing.
II am glad that there is a just God to
judge this thing, for men have prosecuted
me falsely. The truth is the life and
know that I am telling the truth when I
say that l am innocent. The Master says
let not your heart be troubled for in Heaven
there are many mansions and 1 am going
to prepare a place for you. If it was not
SO would have told you. There is conso-
lation to me in this.
There are many SHARES, He says, and
l am caught In one of them; but l will get
out-the snare shall not hold me. He says
trust In Me and the world cannot hurt
YOU.
know that l lay down my life for the
one who committed this crime, but the
LORD says blessed are they that men perse-
cute, for great is their reward 1 am CO.
Ing to my reward. They prosecuted the
prophets and they received their reward.
l was prosecuted, and I will be rewarded.
l am going to sacrifice my life for my
brother. l am going where there are no
more tears, no more sorrow. l am going
trusting Him. 1 did not even know the
man who was killed and never saw him in
my life, and all shall see when all is known
on that great day, that 1 am not guilty."
Read the Death Warrant
When Cook had ceased talking Sheriff
OBrien approached him and-said
Frank, 1t becomes my painful duty to
read to you this morning what is known as
death warrant"
The negro simply bowed his head and
rant which was an officitl copy of the judg
ment of the circuit and supreme court
The newspaper men then shook hands
with Cook and left the room where prepa-
rations for the final ordeal were begun.
After all who were to be admitted were
in, the jail doors were locked and the spec
tators walked slowly into the yard to await
the coming of the prisoner.
County Physician Heacock and Drs.
Hawkins. Shoemaker, Wheelan and Dunlap
were present by invitation of Sheriff O'Bri-
en-, was also DIR. Brown, the colored
physician.
The minutes passed slowly. and the wit
nesses moved around mpatently as the
tension became greater.
The march to the gallows began at 11:50
o'clock. Cook was neatly dressed in a new
black suit and wore a white rundown col
lar with black necktie. He carried his
Bible in his hand, and walked between
Sheriff O'Brien and Deputy Love with as
firm a step if he was going to celebrate
some festive event. The ministers fol-
lowed. and the party reached the scat
fold Cook took the lead and mounted the
steps with steady tread.
AS he reached the top he recognized some
of the prisoners in the jail windows and
greeted them with smile. With a wave of
his hand to them he exclaimed. Goodbye.
boys" and turned to the crowd in front of
to see what was next on the programme,
and then began to talk. He said:
Cooks Statement on Gallows
"Well, this is the day men say must
die. I am to die today for what some other
man done. l am going to die innocent. but
I am going to die for Jesus sake; for his
sake I will lay down my life. He will bear
my soul to Him.
"I am an innocent man. 1 know nothing
I 10 fAr tc f1,n
rope that will pull my neck. I am able to
die any kind of death they can put on me-
/ am going to die for Jesus sake, who died
that might be saved
at am going to another world where I
will get justice, and so will these men that
punish me for this deed that I am innocent
of.
Fright here is where Jesus promises to-
meet me- I will go with him through the
dark shadow of death. l will fear no evil
I will just strike through deaths iron gates
and not tarry, because He is in me and in
Him.
~ am so glad don't have to answer for
this. I don't want you to accuse me of this
murder. At the time the killing took place
I was at home in my bed asleep. They
came and took me out of my bed.
'They took me to the men and they look
ed me up and down and said: This amt
the negro They turned me loose. and in
at have not broke the state laws. I have
never killed no man, and will not have to
answer for it in heaven l am going there
this morning and 1 want you all to meet
me there and you will see l am innocent.
Pointing to Attorney Winston, who rep
resented him, he continued: There is
Lawyer Winston, he tried to get justice for
me, but he failed, but he will be rewarded
for what he done. Yes, l am ready to die
and / am going to my savior
AS Cook ceased talking, Rev. Thomas
Walker, at the request of the condemned
man, reiterated what he himself had said,
stating that Cook had steadfastly profess
ed his innocense of the crime on all occa-
sions and knew that he could not be saved
If he died with lie on his lips. The min
lister then offered fervent prayer for the
salvation of Cooks SOUL while the specta-
tors stood with bowed heads
Deputy Sheriff Love placed the condemn
ed man in position on the trap just as the
clock began to strike IL.
AS he placed the handouts on his wrists
Cook looked up and said, well, goodbye,
people" the last words he uttered His
arms and legs were then bound and the
moose placed over his head. Cook then
closed his eyes and the black cap was adj