The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1908-07-15
YOUNG CONVICTS SAD END
ALMOST IN SIGHT OF CERTAIN
PARDON WHEN DEATH CAME.
In DOugherty County Camp for
killing in Defense of Sisters
Honor and Fathers Life.

Honor and Fathers Life.
Almost within sight of a pardon
Otis Smith, aged 20, serving a life
sentence for killing a fellowman,
died Saturday at Cruger G. PAGES
brick yard convict camp, on the out
skirts of Albany. He was buried
Sunday afternoon in OakvIew Gene
terry, that city, the funeral services
being held in the office at the brick
yard, Rev Thos. H. Thomson, pas
tor of the Methodist church, conduct
ing the last solemn rites.
The Albany Herald says the story
of this young man, which ended SO
pathetically with his sudden death,
is peculiarly sad and unusual one.
He had served one year for the kill
ing of young man at his home in
Morgan county. The young man
whom he killed, so the story goes,
had insulted young Smiths sister.
The girls father, Dr. E. A. Smith,
enraged, went out in search of the
man who hau been guilty of the in
suit to his girl. The boy followed
him, with gun, and when he saw
his father was about to be shot he
fired, killing the man who was about
to kill his father.
The young man who was killed
was popular young fellow, and had
many friends. When the trial came
off it resulted in a conviction, and
young Smith, who had committed
the deed not only in defense of his
sisters honor, but in defense of his
fathers life, was sentenced to life
imprisonment
When young Smith was taken
to Albany to serve out his sentence
some good ladies in that city re-
ceived letters from the young mans
former Sunday school teacher. These
letters stated that Smith was a
splendid young fellow, and asked
that he be looked after, and his wants
attended to as much as possible.
These ladies did all they could for
him.
Some time ago a movement to Sc
cure a pardon for young Smith was
started and it seemed certain that
IT was about to terminate in success.
The prison commission had set the
hearing in the case for this week and
the young man was to appear before
the board at the hearing. So many
influential names were signed to the
patition, and the circumstances sur
rounding the killing, the trial and
the conviction were so favorable to
the young mans cause that there
seemed scarcely any doubt that the
pardon would be granted.
But last Wednesday the young
man, who had been in poor health
for some time, was taken suddenly
worse. Or. Davis was called in to
attend him, but he steadily grew
worse, and died Saturday afternoon.
A congestive chill was the cause of
death. The young mans system was
full OF malaria, so the doctor said.
and had been for some time. Medi-
cine had been prescribed for him,
but he would not take it except when
almost forced TO do so, and as a re-
suit his strength had been Slapped
from him until he was in no condi-
ton to Withstand the attack that
seized him last Wednesday,
The young man was a fine-looking
fellow, mere boy, and his face was
one that indicated a frank, open.
honest character His sad death in
a convict camp, just on the eve of
an almost certain pardon, was one
that touched strong mems hearts.
His father came from his home in
Culloden Morgan county to attend
the funeral, and went home in grief
stricken loneliness, his heart bowed
down with sudden weight Of inex-
pressible sorrow.
He gave his life to save mine"
the father tearfully said after the
coffin had been lowered into the
grave IF he had not fired that fatal
shot at the time he did another bull
let would have penetrated by heart.
on, that he had been a moment late.
FOR how gladly would | have given
up my own life to save him from a
conVlcts death and a conyict's
UraVp ~ -