The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-25
Famous Prisoner NH be Hang-
 ed Before Noon Today
HAS TALK WITH HIS WIFE
May Make Statement on the GaIIows, But Insists That He Has Already Told All He Knows of
 the Crime.


 flcer George W. Kirkley over four years ago
 The execution will take place before noon in the Jefferson county jail yard. The exact time is left with the sheriff The body of Duncan, accompanied by his wife, will be shipped to Portsmouth. O., his former home. this afternoon for in torment.
 Duncan has professed religion, and says he is ready to meet his Maker. He pro- fessed religion to Dr. J. w Stagg, pas- tor of the First Presb .terian church, yes- terday afternoon. Dr. stagg has ad- vised with Duncan spiritually ever since the prisoner was brought back from Florida where he was recaptured several weeks ago. For three of four weeks Dun can has read his Bible many hours each day studying the teachings of his God He has said often that he has found much comfort in the book
 Mrs. Duncan Sees Husband.
 Mrs. Duncan was allowed for the first time to see her husband yesterday af- ternoon in his cell at the county jail She was with him for some little time but the steel lattticed door separated man and wife, and she was watched closely by Deputy Sheriff Steve Snow Mrs. Duncan will call on her husband again early this morning. Dr. Stagg call ed on the condemned man yesterday af- ternoon and again last night. He will probably go with him to the gallows.
 Although slightly nervous yesterday af ternoon Duncan appeared to be holding his nerve very well. He declared that he would die game. Yesterday at noon a Thanksgiving dinner was sent to him from a local restaurant and he appeared to enjoy the meal very much.
 Duncan has always appeared to be fond of telling a story. In speaking to Deputy Snow and a representative of the Age-Herald yesterday afternoon he said:
 Tells a Rabbit Story.
 "Bullard and myself were out in the woods in an adjoining state during the heavy snow storm that followed shortly after our escape from the county jail. We built a big fire out of logs near the railroad and the snow around the fire soon melted and the ground dried out We were laying around the fire resting Up, and were very hungry. I had an old English forty-fve calibre pistol which I bought for s7, and Bullard said that he was going out and kill rabbit. In about an hours time I heard him calling me and I went to him. I then saw that he had rabbit spotted down in the railroad cut He was about thirty feet from the rabbit and was trying to shoot him with [ na ct J,I1t rto fo death and did not move ou of his tracks. took the gun and shot five times but missed the little animal. then picked up a rock and killed him. We roasted the rabbit and I tell you 1t was indeed fine meal"
 May Make Statement. Duncan says that he may make state ment on the gallows today. Tt is hardly necessary, however, 1t seems" He said: 'I have told the truth about this thing all the way through, and I see but little use in repeating my story" T will die like "a brave man. which think I am. I have been in a number of tight places during my career but have never shot at or killed human being. q have been peresecuted since I was brought back to Birmingham by the po- lice department. They will all sec me executed I suppose, but want to say there is not one of them that would go through the trying odeal as bravely as will.
 | T hope the sheriff will not allow Deputy Love to officiate at t-.e hanging. much prefer some one else would do that"
 Duncan spoke tenderly of his wife. "She has done everything in her power to save me. but without avail. May the good Lord be merciful to her. is the prayer of my heart"
 Very Few Tickets Issued.
 Only about one hundred tickets of ad- mission to the executive have been is- sued from tho sheriffs office. On the door of the office appears the following notice:
 NOTICE. 1 "Please do not ask for passes. They are all out. and we are not in a mood to oe worried
 Extra precautions will be taken to pre- vent any trouble at the jail this morn | ing. Deputies Ennis and Cowan were l instructed to join deputies Courson and
  l Sheriff Burgin has issued the follow 1 ing:
 "Following are the assignments for | duty on hanging day. Get to the place l by s:30. and stay there until the corpse is brought out and the crowd dispersed. | This Is one time that strict obedien ce i will be demanded of each man, and any | failure will call for a resignation. Twenty first Street alley--A. 8. Cow an, W. s. Cole. J. c. Brents. E. R. Ab- l ernathy and two policemen. Between Court House and jail gate J. H. Hill, J. N. Curl and one policeman. Between boilers and church yard = | Sid Standifer.
 End of Fourth alley-G. N Lackey and Officer Bodeker.
 With the prisoner-Love Cursor and | Snow
 Behind the jail--J. A. Gaddis and offt- l cer Jack McDonald. At front door of jail-N c. Jones | Jere Fountain, Eubank. At wire door of jail-A. H. Courtney. s. s. Williams and W. R. Goudelock. "In hall by office door-M. w Keer and 1 J. c. Burgin.
 Tn the sheriff's office-Barker and Cur | ley.
 Admit no one without a pass, except | policemen in uniform or with a badgo | and constables. Be sure they are what "A W. BURGIN.'' Buckeye carriages an d