The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-02
PARIS CONFESSES
 TO AWFUL CRIME
ADMITS IN A SIGNED STATEMENT THAT HE KILLED MAIL CLERK STOCKTON ON A. G. s. TRAIN IN FEBRUARY.

Meridian. Miss, April 1.-(special)- James P. Paris has confessed to the murder of John T. Stockton in the mail car on February 29.-The confession was made last night in the presence of the sheriff of Lauderdale county. the jailer and other witnesses and given to the pub lie today. Paris made his confession chiefly through the persuasion of MT. L. P. Brown, a prominent citizen of Meri- dian, who has been visiting the condemned murderer this week and reading the Bible to him.
 The confession in his own words is as follows:
 Meridian, Miss. March 31, 1so4 S:45. p. m.
 Sunday night it jumped into my mind all of a sudden, and it was not on my mind before then. When the train pulled up got on this train, and went down to the crossing and got off at the crossing and got in the mail car and did this crime; jumped off the train after I-had did this, and got my foot cut. Then I went to this colored mans house, crawl ed over there for the protection of my wound till the next morning, and the off, cers came before the hack l had sent for came They arrested me, and brought me to jail. I denied the fact then
 1 ter, hoping God will forgive me for this deed I have done. l never had such e thing in my heart before. As it is now have got to be hung for my own deed, that I have did. It is too late now for me to lie The truth must come, so don't bother any one else for this crime, for the right man Is to be hung for the deed.
 Now I hope the world will agree with me in my true confession in this world, es have but short time to live; that their prayers also be tor me, and let thom be none the less for the deed I have done. Although I am sorry, yet l know that the devil gets in the hearts of all good men, causing them to do things that their hearts will afterwards ache for. l made a full confession of everything to MT. l.. P. Brown. some days ago whilst he was reading and praying with me, and in his talk he showed me in the Bible where that no man could enter heaven unless confession was made to both God and man; therefore. I considered the matter over and knew I had to die. told him I did do the crime and was sorry in my heart for it, and he said, Amen. and I told nim I felt better for having confessed
 now tonight. make this statement in the presence of MT. J. R. Temple, sheriff; J. ". Stillwell jailor; L. P. Brown and L. P. Brown, Jr. J. P. PARIS. This act upon the part of Paris has been expected, for when he was convict ed it was observed that the murderer gave up all hope and his plea for the 'mercy of the court was virtually an admission of guilt.
 A movement is on foot to have pub lie execution of Paris on April 20, one argument being put forward that the public is entitled to witness the hanging of the man whot outraged this comfnu- nity by committing such atrocious | vic q f lie execution, as an example of the effi- cacy and rapidity with which the wheels of justice can move when the occasion demands, will act a deterrent upon crime among the negroes.
 A petition for public execution Is now being circulated here and it will be pre- scented to the county boafN of supervisors on Monday. when they will take action upon the matter as they have authority by law to decide in such sases.