The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1906-08-01
SPEEDY JUSTICE
FOR ALLEN MATHIS



when asked II he fully realized
what had been gone through he re-
piled that he reckoned he did-that
II meant that he had to pe hanged.
Before the jury had returned. how
ever, Mathis had pleaded with the
court to get him a life sentence in
the penitentiary.
Wanted Prayers.
Before I pass sentence on you.
have you any reason to give why Il
should not be passed." Judge Bugg
asked. The prisoner shook his head.
The sentence was passed.
Have you any request to make be-
fore you are hanged?" the court
again inquired.
"Yes sir. ! would like TO get some
one to pray for me-"
Judge Bugg assured the prisoner
that this privilege would be given
him at the proper time.
The court room was cleared and
the march to the Jail yard begun.
Mathis still did not trembe. but
seemed dazed to an extent. Some
little time was consumed In prelim-
lparies at the scaffold and at 1855
o'clock the trap was sprung by Dep
uty Sheriff Oscar Gilmore.
Five Drops Made.
Five drops were made before Ma
this was pronounced dead. The frst
drop served TO render Mathis I'M
conscious. but he was FAR from dead
The body was pulled up again aud
a second drop made. Each time the
limp form would fall against the sol.
dlers and deputy sheriffs when pull.
ell up for another drop.
when the negro was Pronounced
dead, an exultant cry arose ami men.
women and children FASTENED home
having seen that justice had beer
done.
Reports were current that fingers
and toes were cut from Mathis body
NJ souvenirs. but this report was de-
MED. Report after report. OF the SEN
"a tional order. gained circulation.
hut no disorder followed the execu-
tlpn. The crowds remained on the
streets until about 3 o'clock and ex-
cited groups so conspicuous short
tine before. were not in evidence
towards midnight.
On account 81 the danger OF mob
violence to another negro in the
Graves county Jail. who Is being held
for safe keeping on an attempted
assault charge. the jacksonville
company was detailed to guard the
Jail and formed circle about H. No
attempt to get at any prisoners was
made.
w. s. Foy Is the name of the at
torney. who was chosen to formally
represent the negro. No defense was
necessary. the negro promptly enter
ing a plea Of guilty. The report that
Il would be impossible to secure an
attorney to defend and complete the
legal form had preceded the trial.
hut no censure was heard for Attor-
noy Foy. IL being understood that
his acting was a mere formally.
The Jury. :.
The jury which passed on Mathis
cise was composed of the following
residents OF Graves county:
Charles schaffer, c. o. Saxon. J.
1. Cosby. Jacob Perkin, J. C. Park.
w. r. Owens. NJ. Plumlee. j. NJ.
Walker, S. d. Murphy. c. c. Wilson
w. II. Elliott and A. d. Cosby. It
had been empaneled "a hours before
md was kept sitting in order to pre-
elude the possibility OF a delay In
tho trial.
The only instance of attempted
mob violence was seen during the
march from the train to the court
house. Some one threw a brick and
struck a member OF the jacksonville
company DR.. NJ. w. Rozzel
Is reported to have been injured by
A bayonet. He was bruised slightly |
In the crowd hut no serious injury |
Inflicted. II is said that he was acct
lentslly struck with the bayonet.
Newspaper Men In Evidence.
There were many newspaper rep
at Mayhcld. The Asso-
'iated Press, Globe Democrat. st.
louis: Republic. St. Louis; Times,
Post. Herald and Courier-Journal OF
.oulsville; Cincinnati Inquirer, Times
star and Post. Memphis Commercial
Appeal and many other papers had
personal representatives in Mayfieli.
rhe Louisville Post and Times sent
with tho train on which
he negro was brought to Mayheld.
Scene NJ Hanging.
Men and. boys climbed telephone
,oas and sat on the Jail fence in or
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