The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-16
ChfEdrensS
Lawn Party
Auspices Of
CIVIC LEAGUE,
Lee Square, Thursday,
June 90.
4:3o to 7:3o p. m.
Ice Cream, Cake and Grab
Bags.

of the two and would be killed as soon
as the man could wrench it from his
hands.
During my conversation with him he
broke down several times and could
not talk. but he repeatedly said he
would gladly die in his sons place, and
IL his son, whom he claims is entirely
innocent, must hang he had rather die
with him.
HISTORY OF CRIME.
The crime was a most brutal one,
according to the testimony before the
court The dead man was both the
father-in- law and brother-in-law of
the girl, and the trouble was the result
OF a family difference of most sensaL-
tional nature. The evidence tended to
show that the crime was a premeditat-
ed one, but both father and son say
otherwise and both declare they had
rather suffer than to submit certain
evidence which would reflect discredit
upon certain members Of their family.
They had the best legal talent obtain
able and the case was a hard-fought
one. but the defense introduced no
testimony except their own state
ments, the father and son both claim
Ing that the father was the one who
did the shooting.
ASK STAY OF SENTENCE.
Governor Gilchrist was asked by ODE
Mathis to change the day set for his
execution. He was only given ten days
notice and the young man says he re-
allies he has not lived the life he
ought to have lived and wants another
month in which to prepare to die.
The young Mathis does not look like
a criminal. He has been reared in the
country, but carries himself well. is
above the average looking from an In
tellectual standpoint. He looks one d.
rectly into the eye and speaks of death
while he smiles. His smile changes,
however, when he sees his father.
aged and broken, and does everything
he can to encourage him. He says he
appreciates the action of the pardon
ing board in changing the sentence of
his father from death to life imprison-
ment
Young Mathis claims he is innocent
or the crime for which he must die,
although he says he would have fired
his gun IL he could have gotten 1t away
from his assailant.
i asked him whether he realized
that he ought to spend his last DAYS
telling the truth and ought to spend
them In making peace with his God,
and he said he did. Il don't mind
dying" he said, ''and 1 had rather be
hanged for something I did not do
than to be hanged for something 1 did
DO The only thing which 1 am mad
about is the lies they swore to about
me-"
Sheriff Lewis told him he should not
longer hold malice against anyone.
You had better go back into your cell
and follow the example of Jesus
Christ, who when he was upon the
cross said, Father. forgive me-" He
said he would and I gaw him eli,,,h
the metallic steps to his cell which
he was to occupy but a week before he
must have his life taken from him by
the gallows which is just on the out
side Of the building
The case is sad one. A man In
the bloom of young manhood who is
Justly or unjustly forced to die be-
fore the sun Is high in the heavens. I
saw him Just a week before he was to
die provided Governor Gilchrist did
not give him another month in which
to make peace with God, and the
people of jackson county are clad the
governor granted his request.