Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1911-09-09
Bill Rouse Pays the Penalty
On the GalloWs for His Crime
At HAS Bill Rouse Was Led From the Cell That he had
Occupied the Last Two Years to the Gallows
Where He Paid the Penalty Of the Law

Sheriff Potts pulled trigger and in few moments ne was pro-
nounced dead by Drs Skies and Crockett
The doctors the time OF execution out
were called the drop TELL
STORY
Rouse was charged murder of Bill Baiy at Pouan over
two wears ADO and it of the that ne decoyed
Bv from Sylvester and after getting him under the influence
of whiskey him several times and then cut MS throat VII" h
the knife wound causing DEATH
Its also charged took Nnk Smith with him to see the
cine having Smith swear for MN In the
trial of the when the time for trial Smith refused to
swear the other hand his evidence made strong
lease against him. .
The state also conended that the evidence of Smith
clear case of cold made against Rouse
The defence that the murder comitted IN drunken
row between parties and probably mutual combat rather
than cold bloodod murder .
Be that it Dnk Smith mace oau lecoru lor mhsen
that will follow him to the grave
In the commitment he in substance that Rouse
ufb the he that Rouse shot the de
ceased povocaon and later he made affidavit that the evil
dence he gave the trial of the not the truth and that Rouse
was iusfabe still later he again made affidavit that the last a
davt he but what he stated on the trial the case
was the truth
His lightning change certainly have elmina
testimony the of the case before the pardon boad ana
later before the Governor
The state conended all the that the evidence
of the state was sufficient evidence of Smith and Soso
pon stated reporter that he advised the trial the
that his testimony should left but account the fact that
might have the jury the only eye witness
he put .
Be that may paid fearful penalty for his crimes
and none of thought toward him pity and
the hope hopes and professions of peace with God are we'll
founded
There very touching ncden connection with the
execution of the death sentence
when the old bid his boy goodbye their good
byes would moved heart The old man told his son that
he wished he place. but Bill told his father if he could he
him do and when he left the son asked the OLD a
or let him kiss through the bars of the CELL which done
Bob Rouse brother said Bill we have done all earth we
can do thing have and God knows
wish but God the only you can look to-
+ with Won
Little old daughter with her arms around her
fathers together with couple bars the cell remained in this
noon for half and cried her heart would break Rouse
commended lord and told her. could do nothing for her
His his preached with eternity
staring speaker in the face He told them and made them promise
another pistol and read their Bible daily and give their
hearts God
Hard hearted guards eyes stranger
TO weep in sympathy bereaved of the condemned
The Pastors the city together with few of the good ladies
hold services the Jail yesterday and this morning At these
Rouse stated that he had been praying year did
not oct forgiveness had forgiven He said he had tried long
time get this but prayers answered until he had forgiven
his enemies there earth ne would harm
opportunity presented ITSELF
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM
(Mae in the presence Baptist and Methodist Ministers of the city
Sylvester his brothers two sons and little daushe)
The wish make in the presence of you people
is that said regard having killed thirteen
people, prior the killing Bill Bay is false and that make this
statement knowing that have only few hours to live don't
know that circulated this about and about my saying
the night but before God and all Of that whoev
er made about did nWarranedy and did not DO
if because they my friends
Now last night sleep and sep just like child until
bo three minutes before woke prayed
40 have always prayed every that have been here for the
last two years. went back sleep and dreamed that saw char
lot white horses and that they were coming after me- TINS
the only dream that have had
What have told friends that here is that
am ready to God and knowing that have few hours
~ live want all of you that ready have often
read the ftys chapter ah first repeatedly Thus saith the
lord keep We judgment and do for salvation
I and my righteousness to be revealed
have been considered by the people of this world
and have often told good mother keep of bad COM