Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1912-02-15
Jefferson, Tex, Feb. /, 1912.

| write this as a warning and
| think, too, that it will be bene-
tiicial to those will read it; and
bear in mind l want who
ever reads these words to let
them sink deep down into their
hearts. This is to both white.
colored and to the young people
of both races especially. | may
be in the penitentiary for life,
but | rather believe it will be in
the grave, but | sure hope these
words will be the cause of men
and women living better and step
their sinful and evil ways and
decide to praise God from whom
blessings flow.
/ am 26 years 3 months and 6
days old to the date Of this writ
ing. | have been lawfully mar.
ried twice; first to Annie 3. Hill,
on the 22nd of July, 1902, and
sesond to Sallie Beatrice Hen
derson, June 30th, 1909, at the
home of Rev. w. H. Whiten. But
now comes the saddest part of
my story;
1t was on thatcool, bright, sun
shiny evening of April Goth,
1910, when / entered into this
great and miserable trouble,
which will soon be at an end.
| have been in prison ever since
the third day of May, 1910 up
until the present, February LIST,
1912, which is | year, s months
and 20 days, today. OF course
it was a weary time with me,
sometime, and sometime | was
feeling very well, of course. |
can say this for Mr.. w, b. Stall
cup,s.the high sheriff. and the
jailor, MIR. b. II. Thomas, they
have been nice and kind to me;
as good as they could be, accord
ing to the present circumstan-
ces. | was in Marshall Harri-
son county Jail 6 months of the
time | have been in prison. |
was tried the 18th and 10Th days
of November, 1910, with Mr.. j..
H. Hasty, foreman of the jury,
Mr.. II. Vaughan, prosecuting at
torney, before Hon. Judge Tur-
ner, with Mr.. M, Singleton and
Mr., II. Benefited, attorneys for
my defense, but in spite of all
my attorneys could do for me,
| was found guilty of murder in
the first degree and | was con
victed, with the penalty of death
assessed upon me. My attor-
ney's, putting forth every effort
they could to save me, sent my
case 20 the Court Of Criminal Ap-
peals and they affirmed the
death penalty Then my attor-
neys being interested and faith
full in trying to help me in my
struggle for life, motioned for a
rehearing in my behalf, but their
motion was overruled, and on the
9th of December, 1911, Judge
turner imposed the death sen
tence on me and set the date of
! execution for February the Sth,
1912, which | am trying to be
ready for heaven if | have to go
on the set day. / have never
been any trouble to the county
and State before this time;
never was locked in jail before
this trouble; / never heard case
argued before | got into this. /
/ paid a little fine of Sc about eight
years ago | would be proud {
4 every person would make 10 up
IN heart and mind to serve the
/ Lord and do the things that is
right. Then there wouldn't be
! no. need of court rooms, iails, poui.
tentiarieS and hanging appara
/ tuS' These places are preared
TO punish the people who are
/ guilty of crime and those who
are believed 90 bc the guilty par
ties. bat there Is a many innocent
/. person punished for things they
amt done and the guilty person
/ goes free 10 ought 20 Toe Ger.
. talnly known that hc or she rs
guilty before they are punished
iu any way 40 alL But let m-
tell you, my friends, we must
/ reap what wp SOW, good cor evil
F. Yes. / know I did wrong bv slay.
+ ing ms wife. avn sorry of IL. ol
course. loved her dearly
Some may say n coaid'nt been
E much love .n fhat We ws~ Iig
+ INK very loving ve had ogr Nt'le
/ family crosses sometime and There
vas uue thing that made mg
good CD lgr was that 4 was ac
cuscu 30 DgI~Ing up my first wif,
and baby hg, thc Lord knows
am NOT guilty of the crime. buf
have to bear that uame ths day
Ms Hif.. Anna lis. Woa.a mlu
h'> and Cab Uut uucon a4s.
thar tIt WaE -le went suml
. daF every body Wiu sa. I'D.