The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-09-16
NE|CHbORS ASSERT
CONDEMNED MAN
FE|CNS INSANITY
Pine Bluff Residents Protest Delay
in Execution, Declaring
Alienists Fooled
ONLY THE DOCTORS AGREE
Alexander, Convicted Of Murder,
Carries Out Strange Program
in Prison

tittiS ttoch, al IA, Dept. to-~-tdIi
man under sentence of death feign
insanity so effectively that he can
continue to deceive for many months
the most capable alienists?
That Is question that confronts
the Arkansas authorities In the re-
markable case of w. c. Alexander, a
saloon keeper of Pine Bluff, con-
demned to death for the murder of
J. P. Kelley in saloon fight Had
not there been q serious doubt as to
his sanity, : Alexander would have
been ranged Friday, Aug. 80, but
rather than run the risk of causing
an insane man to be executed, Gov.
Donaghey granted him respite un-
til Dec. 27, that more time might be
given for observation to determine
definitely his mental condition.
A commission consisting of DR.. j.
l.. Greene, DR. G. w. Deshong, DIR.
e. p. Bledsoe, pr. Morgan Smith and
Or. J. p. Runyan, appointed by Gov.
Donaghey, reported unanimously and
positively that the prisoners mind
is hopeless wreck and that he will
never recover, He is suffering from
a progressive alcoholic dementia
Does Not Recognize His Wife.
Alexander, who Is confined in the
state penitentiary because there is
no provision of the law which will
permit his transfer to the insane
asylum while he is under death seif-
tence, wanders about the prison
yard, silent and taciturn, speaking
to no one, and answering queries
only in monosyllables.
When his wife recently called at
the prison he did not recognize her,
and said Don't you know that
this is fort and we are all under
arrest here?" Every morning after
he leaves the mess room he goes to a
path he has beaten under the east
ern wall and for hours marches
along it with military precision.
Day after day he carries out this
military program. But he never
falls to recognize the gong calling
the convicts 20 dinner and always
falls into his regular place in line.
After the commission of alienists
had pronounced him insane the
Governor referred the matter to
Sheriff Brewster, of Jefferson county,
rs directed by the law, and he sum-
moned jury of IL men to inquire
into Alexanders sanity. After TAX
ing testimony for two days and MAX
ing personal observation of the
condemned man, the jury disagreed
Lx pronouncing him sane and six
insane.
NeighSors Declare He is Feigning.
Alexander was returned to the
,enitentiary and it then being but
seven days until his execution the
citizens of Pine Bluff proceeded tc
get up a petition signed by several
hundred citizens requesting the
Governor not to interfere further
but to let the law take its course
This petition was presented to the
Governor by delegation headed b,
Mayor A. C. Jordan, himself a physi
ian, who declared his belief that
Alexander Is dangerous man to bt
1T liberty, as he has killed 13 mer
md has been tried for murder foul
times in Jefferson county.
eve consider that the man has
had every advantage the courts car
1ffer," said Mayor Jordan. He ha
been tried twice and declared guilty
Knowing tho circumstances of hi'
crime and the character of the man
We believe that he was sane at tn,
time of the murder. We do not con
iider him insane and believe tha
Justice demands the enforcement o
the law"
After hearing the statements o
the petitioners, Gov. Donaghey said
The jury, by falling to agree OF
verdict, has thrown the responsi
biiity upon me. and will not shirl
1t. The state must be fair. 1t mus
take no chances on hanging an in
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Continued on Page Five.)