The leader., 1902-03-12

friendly remarks to the colored peo-
pie present and then went on to say
people had come here expecting he
would blow on his friends and fill the
Jail, give the lawyers plenty to do and
send lot of men to the penitentiary,
but they would be disappointed. He
said he was the first white man to be
hung in Lincoln county and predicted
that he would be the last one for
good while to come, without stating
any definite reason for his faith.
He spoke of the bad and cruel treat
ment he had received while to the
Jackson Jail, being chained down, and
not rid of the lice when he got to
Brookhaven, but praised Sheri fl APP
plewhite for the kind treatment he
had received at his hands.
Two or three times during his talk
he stopped and asked if his time was
exhausted, but was gently assured by
the Sheriff that he might have all the
time necessary to conclude his re-
marks. His hands were manacled as
he spoke, and while he controlled his
voice well, his manner was that of
man struggling to control himself un
der supreme nervous strain.
Sheriff Applewhite had requested
Town Marshal George Vernon, of Bo-
que Chitto, to adjust the moose around
Sasser's neck at the proper time, but
Sasser took occasion during his talk
to say that he had requested Sheriff
Applewhite to select as substitute for
Vernon, Marshal r. c. Applewhite,
of Brookhaven, as the latter had
proven himself his friend and Vernon
had not, and he did't want any man
who wasn't his friend putting his
hands on him at such time
Nearing the close of his talk he
said: 81 hope and think when | leave
this gallows | will go to rest. 1t was
almost death, next door to death, to
suffer in Jail like | have since l got
into this trouble. I'll be better off
when I'm gone" Again he expressed
forgiving spirit toward every body
in the audience. after I'm gone" he
continued, "people will still wonder
who killed Tom Lard. False swearing
will get people into trouble, remember
that"
Then with the air of man who felt
himself complete master of himself
and the situation, he invited his au di-
ence to ask him any question desired
Tell us did you kill Tom Lard?"
rang out clear and direct like rifle
shot from some one in the audience.
This was question evidently wholly
unexpected by Sasser, who was visibly
"rattled" by it, and his only answer
was, '1've done stated that I've done
stated that: believe that is all l want
to say" and he closed, apparently
confused and quite exhausted by his
effort.
Some who doubted Sasser's guilt
before, were convinced by his last
words.
Another song, "Jesus Lover of My
Soul" was sung by the ministers in
attendance, and then r. C. Applewhite
carefully adjusted the moose around
Sasser's neck. When this was done,
he shook hands with r. w. McNair,
DR.. Weathersby, Ebert Lowell, r. C.
and Sheriff Applewhite and bade them
farewell, and then Marshal Applewhte
adjusted the black cap over his face
and fastened it and all was ready. At
3O7 Sheriff Applewhite sprung the
trap and Sasser dropped in twinkling
some six or seven feet through the
opening below. Not muscle or limb
moved after the fall and in exactly 10
minutes he was pronounced dead by
DR.. Butler and other physicians, and
taken down. The neck was broken.
The remains were then taken in
charge by undertaken c. B. Perkins,
placed in neat coffin and carried out
to the home of Sasser's father and
mother, 9 miles in the country, where
they will be buried today.
Sasser was about 80 years old and
the only child of his parents, for whom
great sympathy is felt by all. He
leaves besides these, wife, four
daughters and small son, whose home
is in Wesson.
Tho nrnWH oynaa1innlu nr1ap
ly and we'll behaved one.
II