The Mena weekly star., 1913-09-18
DIES FOR SWEET-
 HEARTS MURDER
Last Words of Omar Davis Were: 'I Want All of You to Meet Me in Heayen''-Said He Was
 Prepared.

murder of Miss Nellie Moneyhun, D years old, a school teacher, near Springdale, February ?, last. Davis assisted the sheriff in placing the moose around his neck, and before the black cap was adjusted said to the spectators of the execution:
 'I want all of you to meet me in Heaven"
 The boys mother, who had made a strenuous effort to save his life, was on the outside of the inclosure surrounding the scal1old, and swooned when she heard the trap sprung.
 The execution took place at 6:39 a. m. on a scaffold in the jailyard. There was a big crowd present as early as ) o'clock.
 The condemned man slept sound ly last night. He walked calmly to the scalfold, accompanied by Rev. M \. Waldrip of the Central Meth odist church, who had taken a great interest in attempting to secure his communication, and who offered a prayer on the scaffold
 The scafrold came from Little Rock, and Davis is the eighteenth man who had been hanged with the rope.
 Davis left long letter addressed to his father, who had forsaken him before his trial, never having forgiven him or furnished funds for his defense.
 Mother Lost Petition.
 Against the wishes of her hus- band and many of her friends, Mrs. Davis, carrying an infant. walked many miles through Northwest Ar kansas, getting signatures to a pc tition asking the governor for com mutation of Davis sentence to life imprisonment. After getting a con- siderable number of names Mrs. Davis lost the petition one night. It was stolen from her.
 Governor Declines to Interfere.
 It was about 6 o'clock Wednesday evening when Sheriff s. W. Caudle received the following telegram from Governor Hays at Little Rock:
 Have decided not to interfere in Davis case"
 Anticipating such a course on the part of the chief executive, the sheriff had made all arrangements for the execution. Davis mother and 16-year-Old sister spent the day with him, and did not bid him good bye until after the receipts of the message from the governor, which removed every vestige of hope that had remained. As the grief stricken mother and sister were led away, Davis said stoically: Well, I've got 10 die sometime. l am ready to go. [ will keep my nerve tO the end
 Story of the Crime.
 Davis was only IS years old. He paid the extreme penalty for the murder of Miss Minnie Moneyhun at Springdale February 2l, 1913. Davis killed Miss Moneyhun, his sweetheart, at the home of her father, George MOneyhun, a Holi- ness minister and farmer of Spring dale, following the announcement of her engagement tO a rival. He shot her in the head, attempted to kill her father and turned the wea- pOn upon himself. MT. Moneyhun was unhurt, and disarmed the youth, who escaped, but was cap | tuPed the next day. suffering from scalp wound.
 Petitions on Both Sides.
 Petitions containing the names of about 300 people were presented tC the governor, praying commuta- ton to life imprisonment, and Gov ernOr Hays granted one respite of 30 days, that he might look into the case more thoroughly.
 On the other hand, remonstrances were sent to the governor, signed by about 800 citizens, against the granting of a communication. They said:
 Tn our judgment, the evidence in the case showed Omer Davis to be guilty of a wilful and deliberate murder in the killing of Nellie MOneyhun, and we feel that his sen- tence should not be commuted to life imprisonment, but that the penalty imposed should be carried into efect"
 Jurors Asked Communication.
 During the deliberations of the jury each of the twelve signed the following statement before the yer diet of guilty was signed:
 We, the jury in the case of Omer Davis, charged with the mur- der of Nellie Moneyhun, ask that in case the court passes the death sen tence on the said Omer Davis, the governor of the state If Arkansas commute said sentence to life inn prisOnment.n
 Each member of the jury believ- ed at the time, so it is alleged, that IIIIF W0EI