The Van Buren press., 1903-06-27
Fred Underwood and George Durham
Expiate Their Crime on
the Gallows.
UNDERWOOD MADE 4 FULL CONFESSION
Declared He Coaxed Durham into the
Scheme of Robbing the Bank,
Which Led 10 the Killing of Sheriff
John Powers-Both Men Displayed
Remarkable Nerve.


If John H. Powers, Both men dis
played remarkable nerve and walked
upon the scaffod without the support
Of attendants, Underwood made a
confession at the eleventh hour, which
probably cost Durham his life, al
though the confession was made with
the hope upon Underwood's part Of
saving his partner in crime,
On the day before the execution
Underwood made a confession, in
which he assumed the blame for the
robbery, but stating that John p.
Dunn, who is at large, fired the fatal
shot at Powers. In his confession
Underwood said:
Il have been a safe breaker and
robber all my life | have made my
living that way. | realize the enor
nifty of crime, the dishonesty, the
shame and disgrace, but | was almost
brought up to it. have taken many
dollar from ricn men, but they were
we'll able to afford the loss. They
had insurance to get it back, and,
anyway, it would not have hurt them
to lose it. They had millions and |
had little. | had never a desire at
any time in my life to take a human
life. 1t was always my motto and in.
structions never to kill | am very
sorry for this crime and all the rest
| have committed. | think | deserve
only to be hanged, but George Dur.
ham ought to have clemency. 1t Is
my honest prayer that the governor
will show It. led him into this bust.
ness, being old and experienced at II
myself When | say that Durham Is
not to blame mean It, II ever told
the truth in my life | am telling 1t
now. II | had listened to what Dur.
ham said, John Powers would not
have been killed. want 1t thor.
oughly understood that am not ask
Ing anything for myself, ought to
be hanged. But believe Durham
ought to have clemency.'
Sheriff Powers was killed on the
night OF February 5, 1902, when he
discovered Underwood and his com
panlons in the act OF robbing the
Bank Of Clarksville, The murderer
and robbers escaped on freight
train, going TO Coal Hill, thence tc
Fort Smith and succeeded In gettlnp
out Of the state Durham and Dunn
the latter having received wound in
the battle with Sheriff Powers, were
captured at wichita, Kas. Dunn was
In the hospital when arrested A
guard was placed over him, but soon
after he succeeded In eludng the vgI
ilanco Of the guard and made his os
cape A heavy reward was offered by
the governor Of Kansas for his appre,
honsIon, augmentIng the rewards OF
5000 offered by the governor Of Ar
kansas 5000 by the Bank OF Clarks
vile, soU0 by the Bankers Association
OF Arkansas, and several other small
or amounts offered for the arrest and
conviction OF the murdorers. Dunn
was never recapturod, although ha
arrest has been reported several
times In various parts OF the country
Underwood was captured at Evans
VILE Ind, Both men were placed on
trial and convicted December II, l902
Their cases were taken to tho su
promo court and the jury's verdict
was upheld Two other men, Joe
Clark and Jim Wallace, are confined
IN jail at Little Rock awaiting trial
for completely In the crime. II IL
believed Durham's life would hays
poon spared had not Underwood made
hs confession, M an effort was being
made TO have hls sentence commutej
on condition that he should make a
full confession. Both men embraced
the Catholic faith and stated tina,
they had made their peace with God