Arizona republican., 1900-11-17

Tombstone, Ariz., Nov. 16.-(SpeciaD Sheriff White waited ha'f an hour after the time set for the hanging of Thomas and William Haldcman to- daY lest some word might come from the governor or the president A crowd of over one hundred gathered in the jail to witness the hanging, and as I sat talking to the condemned men in their cell laughter and loud talking of the crowd could distinctly be heard. It was ill-timed julity for two of the boys who sat behind the bars, eat ting their last meal, and relating to me the story uf their crime.
 From II o'clock until noon l sat and listened to their story. and during that time no sign of fear came from either, and but for sigh which escaped from the younger brother when the death hour came, one would never dream that they were about to he dropped in to eternity. At 12 o'clock the outer door opened and officer Ritchey en- tered. ''Is it all off with us. Uncle Bill?" asked William, as the officer appeared in the cell.
 Uncle" Blu answered, "It may come yet" and left the news to be broken by Mir. Elliott, rector of the Episcopal church, who came to console the men. The men were dressed for the scaffold in light linen trousers and wore linen shirts, neat ties and black coats. In the corridor of the jail they stopped to say goodbye to the prisoners, and then passed on into the bright midday sun light, whose sudden rays daZzed them, and both men put their hands to their faces. the long confinement in the dark cell having weaFeue| their eyes The boys walked up the steps of the gal lows unaided and took their places on the trap door, both taking hold of the ropes with one hand and stood Cnolly listening to the words Of Sheriff White, as the death warrant was read.
 Thomas coolly lifted the moose and placed it about his neck, without talk ing his eyes from the sheriff.
 What do you shake that paper that way for? You look scared" said the young man to the sheriff.
 William talked incoherently to George Bravin, who stood beside him, and when the sheriff asked if they had anything to say. Thomas, the younger brother. was the first to speak. His NS4NS ''oNS Ioi UT dS> lllbuSH It NsLS i great strain for him 10 find it.
 'These fellows here look all right he began. There is nothing to say and it would do no good, anyway. Boys, l forgive all my enemies, and hope they forgive me. l hope we will , meet you all."
 The older brother who did not show | the same bravery as the younger one. | repeated the words uttered by his bro~ ther. and talked as the moose was placed around his neck.
 This rope is choking me. George" he said.
 Deputy Bravin frightened the moose. and just before the black hoods were placed on their heads, the Rev. MT FL liott stepped between them. joined | their hands and offered prayer The crowd below stood with barred heads and the scene was an impressive one | A few seconds after the black caps | were adjusted, the hands of the boys strapped and their feet tied. Sheriff | White cut the cord which sprung the | trap and the bodies shot down.
 It was 12:3S o'clock. and thirteen minutes later Thomas was pronounced ! dead, and William fifteen minutes la ter The bodies were buried a Tomb stone, as no word came from the rel atiV6S.
 The younger brother handed me a letter. which he wrote when was with the boys just before the hanging. It was directed to D. l.. Lang. Stockdals, Texas. and was as follows:
 Dear Uncle: As we are goirg to be hung today, We will drop you a few lines to let you and all our loved ones know that We feel willing to die. We appreciate with all our hearts the ser vices you and others have tendcrcd us in our cause. So, hoping we will all meet in Heaven. We arc.
 Yours as ever.
 THOMAS HALDEMAN.
 "WILLIAM HALDEMAN."
 Al 10 o'clock I visited tla condemned boys and asked them for al statement. They told mo to come around later hoping that some word would come from tho governor. Al II o'clock they seemed to fear the worst, and talked freely to mo. The younger brother. Thomas, protested his innocence. and William said his brother had no hand in the affair.
 'As far as the shooting is con cerned," said he, T was shooting to kill Ted Moore, and I believed he was after me. My brother took no part in the affair." as took hls gun and used 1t. too. Ainsworth might have been killed in the scrap by Moore or myself: ] don't know. l could go out there and die as easy as water runs in the xs-a I, l