The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-27

ed man. In the prayer, he said that Coleman had accepted Jesus and was reconciled to, his fate. He warned his race against the bar room evil and called on the Creator for mercy on the condemned mans soul.
 Prepared His speech.
 Magistrate B. c. Young then asked the negro if he cared to make a statement. Coleman cleared his throat and stepped forward. His voice was even and there was no nesitancy about his words. Coleman had either careful memorized to him by another.
 Gentlemen" che began. T did not do this thing. I did put the mans body in the hack and placed it where 1t was found. but T. didn't kill him. He was killed in Mir, W. R. Fishers bar and the next night. the bar was burned so as to hid9 the blood stains. It was done by man named Billy
 don't know any other name-who worked for Mir. Fisher and Mir. Fisher was there.
 T don't mind your hanging me. I'm going to Heaven and therell be no hanging there.
 T thank the jaile.s for the kindness with which I've been treated. l hope to meet you all in Heaven" Coleman paused and there was mo-
 
 as if to continue his speech and for the first time gave a sign of emo tion. He could not articulate. He simply gulped and deliberately walked to the trap.
 Those terrible preparations for death then began.
 As Deputy McRae fastened his feet
 together. Deputy Hall placed the black cap over his head. and Deputy Lamar
 adjusted the. moose. Parson stokes oe-
 1Srx,r nd
 stood below with his hand on the trig-
 ger.
 Just as the Sheriff shot back the
 bolt, the negro heard the sound and for oh! Lordy" as he plunged below. The Sheriff had not figured the nes-
 gro's weight correctly and the rope were barely off the floor.
 Swung for Eighteen Minutes. He swung for eighteen minutes while tion He was then declared dead a black pine coffin was brought forth ande headed by the father. the body was carried to the undertaker's wagon that waited below.
 The remains were taken to the un- dertaking establishment of Elijah Cook on North Perry street. where they
 were viewed by. hundreds of negroes When seen yesterday, w. R. Fisher who was implicated by the negro, said Tt Is perfectly absurd. so absurd iI
 it, save for my wife and child. in: vite every investigation. The negro simply wanted to get even for my Tn
 forming the police that he left my sa loon the night of the murder at idt' hour with Finley"
 The police depa rtment and the sher'
 iff's office put absolutely no reliance IT Coleman's Crime. JOhp Austin Finley, a clerk TOT II M Austin and Company. was murdered on the night of February 3: His ire early Sunday morning, February 10 lying in a lane about quarter or mile from the intersection of Cleve land avenue and Mill street. in & tho
 southwestern part 91 tne , ci.y ns h,ooa his throat was cut and there were a least forty cuts from his neck to tht crown of his head. The horrible putch Coleman was arrested by the police early Monday morning. February II while asleep at house in Peacock
 Tract. The dead mans gold Watch watch, aht nc fob and his key ring were found pS the police on the bureau in Coleman,' room-the first piece of damning evi dence pointing to the negro as tht murderer of Finley Blood stalns were found on his shirt.
 The next evidence was gained by thu police when they found. hidden under house. the bloody clothes worn by Core | man when he committed the dastardl! | crime Then. after Coleman was thor | oughly searched, blood was discovered | on his underclothing and. under hi | finger nails, there were cakes or Dlooa Link after link of the most damnapi' evidence procurable frightened around l the negro. It was shown that Cole | man was the last one seen With Fin | lev in Fishers saloon. corner of Hol | and Grady streets, about II o'cloci Saturday night and that few min utes after Finley had gone out Of ont door, Coleman left the saloon througf another exit. | circumstances of Coleman's guilt, ever the motive was ascertained Finley and Coleman had both been previously | employed at the store of A. Helburr on Commerce street. Finley had growr angry with the negro and Discharged Coleman was indicted February 1; and tried March 1. The jury delibera | ted barely thirty minutes in inflictine On three exceptions of minor con, | seouence. Coleman's attorneys appealed J the case to the Supreme Court and Il was not until early June that the | higher tribunal handed down decision Affirming the finding of the lower 1 court and setting the day of execu' | tion for July 26.