The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-12-12

Christ was not killed. He was cru
CITED and He died from it.
"Happiest Man in Town"
Il have told the truth all the
time any I am still telling it. | am
the happiest man in town today
am gwine home. | know that my
sins have been forgiven, and | am
gwine to heaven"
He then gave some admOnition to
young men to get right and not be
led into evil, concluding with:
Il am sorry for the family of Mr..
Rawlings | am sorry that they are
here. Goodbye to you all, and fare
well to the world"
While Alf Moore was making his
statement Rawlings was listening at
! tentively. When the negro said he
, was going home Rawlings said:
Yes, he is going home, all right.
The negro's voice was a little hus-
ky, but he never weakened other
wise.
Scene on ScaffOld.
About 1870 o'clock the doomed
men were led to the room where the
scaffold stood. About twenty-five
persons, including the guards, min
listers, physicians and newspaper
men, were present. On the platform
leading to the scaffold Rawlings sat
down and ALI Moore walked over and
shook hands with him.
Prayers were offered by Rev. Mr.
McCord and Rev. NJ A. Morgan.
After the mems hands had been tied
behind them the negro asked time
to pray, and kneeling close to Raw
lings prayed as follows:
All Moore Prays for Rawlings.
20, Lord, this morning | ask you
to have mercy on the soul of Mr..
J. G. Rawlings" C'amen," by Raw
lings); 20 Lord, this morning | ask
you to purge his heart and forgive
his sins. 0 Lord, this morning /
ask you to save his soul before he
passes into eternity, and it is too
late. For Jesus sake, | ask you to
catch hold of him, and forgive his
sins. o Lord, l ask you again to
catch and save his soul, for Jesus
sake, amen"
Last Words of Both Men.
While the rope was being tied
about his neck Rawlings showed the
sheriff how to fix it to keep from
choking him, and when all was ready
the sheriff asked if they wanted to
say anything else the negro said
Farewell, if you all are satisfied,
and it is the will of the Lord, l am
willing to 60"
Rawlings said:
Il want to say once more that my
sons, Milton, Leonard and Jesse, are
innocent of this crime. That is all
care to say
Bearing of the Boys.
While the preparations were be-
ing made for the hanging the boys
were deeply touched. Leonard was
weeping Historically, while Jesse was
in his cell, with his face buried in
his hands. Milton appeared to have
much of the Indifference of his faith
err. Mrs Rawlings and her two
daughters were in the jail at the
time of the execution and were deep
ly grieves.
To Old Home for Burial.
The remains of the elder Raw
lings were carried to Telfair coun-
ty, his old home, and were inferred
in what is known as the BlockhOuse
burial ground. They were accom-
panied by his wife and daughters.
The journey was made to BrOXtOn,
in Coffee county, on the train and
through the country from there to
the final resting place.
Rawlings mother resides in Tel
fair county and it was his wish that
his body should be carried back
there.
Moore's and Rawlings Statements.
The directly opposite statements
of Rawlings and Moore, as to the
guilt of the Rawlings boys adds to
the mystery of the Carter tragedy.
1t was evident that old man Raw
| lings expected the negro to ''squeal
up to the last minute. The look he
gave the negro indicated it, and after
the negro made his statement from
the window Rawlings told one of
the guards to keep his ear open and
he would hear the negro spit out
that lie before the rope was tied.
AS the negro passed the cell of the
boys on his way to the gallOws he
waved his hand and said, Goodbye,
/ boys" and both Milton and Jesse,
! through their sobs, cried out to him:
why don't you tell the truth
about it? Why don't you tell the
! TRUTH"
These things have led many TO
/ believe that while the boys were
present it was the negro who did the
/ killing.