The Monticellonian., 1903-06-25
HANGING AT GAINESVILLE
Fred Underwood and George Durham Expiate Their Crime on
 the Gallows.
UNDERWOOD MADE 4 FULL CONF ESSlOA
Declared He Coaxed Durham into the Scheme of Robbing the Bank, Which Led to the Killing of Sheriff John Powers-Both Men Displayed Remarkable Nerve.

Fred Underwood and George Dur ham were hanged at Clarksville on the 18th inst for the murder of Sher- if John H. Powers Both men dis played remarkable nerve and walked upon the scaffold 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
 T have been a safe.breaker and robber all my life. l have made my living that way I realize the enor- mity of crime, the dishonesty, the shame and disgrace, but I was almost brought up to it. l have taken many dollar from rien men, but they were well 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. It was always my motto and in- struetions never to kill. 1 am very sorry for this crime and all the rest l have committed. 1 think 1 deserve only to be hanged, but George Dur ham ought to have elemency. It is my honest prayer that the governor will show it. I led him into this busi- ness, being old and experienced at it myself, When say that Durham is not to blame I mean it. If I ever told the truth in my life I am telling it now. If I had listened to what Dur ham said, John Powers would not have been killed. want it thor oughly understood that I am not ask ing anything for myself. I ought to be hanged. But I believe Durham ought to have clemency"
 Sheriff Powers was killed on the night of February 5, 1902, when he discovered Underwood and his com panions in the act of rohbing the Bank of Clarksville. The murderer and robbers escaped on a freight train, going to Coal Hill thence to Fort Smith and succeeded in getting 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 eluding the vigil ilance of the guard and made his es- cape. A heavy reward was offered by the governor of Kansas for his appre- hension, augmenting the rewards of s, 900 offered by the governor of Ar kansas. $500 by the Bank of Clarks- vile, $500 by the Bankers Association of Arkansas, and several other small CT amounts offered for the arrest and conviction of the murderers Dunn was never reeaptured. although his 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, 1902 Their cases were taken to the su- preme 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 complicity in the crime It is believed Durhams life would have been spared had not Underwood made his confession, as an effort was being made to have his sentence commuted on condition that he should make a full confession. Both men embraced the Catholic faith and stated that they had made their peace with God.
 Holly Bush Levee Broke.
 The embankment recently built across the crevasse cut in St. Fran.