The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-23
WILL STEVENSON
 DIES ON GALLONS Faces Death Without Murmur
 or Culver LEAVES SHORT STATEMENT Was Convicted of Murder of Wife and stepdaughter-Execution Is at
 10 O'clock at LuVerne.
 No Relatives Present.
LEAVES SHORT STATEMENT

Luverne October 22-(Speciai 1-W ak ing to the gallows as a brave soldier faces the firing line of an enemy Will Stevenson. murderer of his wife and step daughter. at 7:10 o'clock this morning surrendered his life on the gallows in this city and without culver of muscles took the moose as an atonement for one of the greatest atrocities ever committed in Alabama.
 There was no demonstration of any kind: no prayer; no murmur of thanks. There was mo looking back" no re- view of the crime. Mounted on the gal lows. he looked around him as man dazed by sight of the unknown, but oth- CT than this the passerby would not have suspected that the man who stood before him was one for whom there was no place in the world-a social outcast, blasphemer of laws, a wrecker of fam fly ties.
 None of his family was with him to shake his hand.
 He stood alone in the world, and sol itary faced death without flinching. Those who looked on marveled at his strength Was he insane when he committed the crime?" was the question on every lip. That question will never be answered
 Brought From Montgomery.
 On a late train out of Montgomery yesterday afternoon the prisoner was brought to this city by Sheriff W. L. Tatum, and last night he occupied cell in the Luverne jail This morning early he was routed from the oasthe and sent to the gallows. He made no confession to his keepers, and none to the preachers who visited him.
 At 7:10 o'clock Sheriff Tasum cut the rope that tripped the trap.
 The clumsy body fell heavily. The rope strained The body dangled.
 Fifteen minutes later the verdict Of life extinct" was pronounced and the body Was taken from the ropes and pre- pared for burial.
 The crowd gasped fell back. A dem onstration was expected. No murmurt arose.
 Sheriff Tatum, who had dropped the fall, went silently to his office. The keep CTS gathered the body up, the distorted face alone showing the agony of death.
 Those Present.
 A small crowd of curious onlookers had assembled around the jail to be present at the hanging, but the majority of them were excluded from the ground. Those who were with the condemned man at the last were pr. J. E. Kendriek, Dr. J. R. Horn, Dr. w. T. Knight. Sheriff Tatum and Deputy Sheriff J. D. Cook.
 The statement given below was the only word left by the prisoner Those who knew him best are inclined to believe that the statement written by nim might or might not have been the fruits or disordered mind. It was left in the care of G. N. Buchanan, prominent citizen of Luverne, and is as follows;
 Stevenson's Statement.
 q was born near Jacksonville, Ala, on the 9th day of May, 1882 My father was J. A. Stevenson, a Confederate vet eran. My mother was a Miss Smith. l was raised on farm. l went to coun- try school about one month. My oppor- tunity for getting education was good but I failed to improve it. 1 was a mem Der of the Sunday school and a member of the Baptist church.
 T joined the church when 1 was about IS years of age, My mother joined the church at the same time. l have been kind and helpful to the poor and neeoy when in distress.
 q was run over by wagon when was about 10 years old and have always felt that my head was injured by the accident. have also had two or three blows which have caused unconsciousness. My head was split open when I was a child.
 q lived with my father and mother until I was 2 years old. l would go away and stay a month or two at time at work. always got along with my father and mother and my sisters and brothers. I have three sisters and four brothers liv- ing I have one sister married.
 "I formed the habit of using whisky, and it has caused me lot of trouble. I would like to say to the young men of this country not to use whisky, as 1t will cause them much trouble. l have been free from gaming and craps shooting.
 MT. W l.. Tatum, the sheriff. is a nice man, and I want to thank him for his kindness while in his charge. l desire to thank Mr. W. H. Stodard for his kind ness and efforts in my behalf.
 Tn God I am trusting. feel that my sins. have been forgiven, and that Christ is my Savior I have nothing in my heart against anyone living"