The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-22
BOTH MEN EAT
HEARTY BREAKFAST

Chief Deputy Metcalfe entered the cor
ridor of the condemned cell few minutes
later and confirmed the news that they
must die. He asked what each would
like for breakfast. Jones was given a
steak and Watson the half of a fried
chicken. Both ate heartily and with ap-
parent relish. 1t was the last food which
was to pass their lips.
At S3O the Rev. M. S. Haynes of the
Church of God, and the Rev. S. A. Bishop
of the Pentecostal assembly at North Bir-
mingham, entered the cells and adminis-
tered spiritual consolation. Both declared
they were ready to die and had made
their peace with God. Watson was bap-
tised at $50, following which the min
listers retired.
While Jones made no statement from
the gallows he spoke as follows previous
to his execution:
IT have nothing much to say except
that / don't think I ought to be hung.
Capital punishment is wrong for the fact
that men are sometimes rushed to the
gallows who are innocent.
Frank Duncan was hung for a crime
that they now believe another man conf
mitted, and they are now trying to hang
someone else There is no word in the
Bible authorizing the taking of a human
life. Yes, 1 am ready to go. L have made
peace with with my Mastr, When 1
served the devil / served him well; when
1 turned to God l did so with all my
heart.
80 far as the killing of Holland is con-
cerned, it happened just as told it. Wat
son was responsible, but I don't hold
anything against him. Prejudice and dis
torted statements are responsible FOR the
position L am now in.'
RELATIVES OF DOOMED
MEN PAY FINAL VISIT
At 9:45 there was a stir among the
crowd surrounding the entrance to the
county Jail and a silent, sorrowful pro-
cession of women came from the sheriff s
office and disappeared within the portals
of the jail They were Arthur Jones'
wife, mother and children and the wife
and two children of VIII Watson.
| For time there was silence and then
from the condemned cells came stified
| wailing. The crowd shifted uneasily,
gazing with undisguised interest at the
barred windows through which a glimpse
of the proceedings could be had occa-
sionally.
The scene in the cell was pitiful The
relatives of the condemned men sat
around them in two groups. Both held
| children ON their knees. The wife and
| mother of Jones did not give way to theil
| feelings until the time for the parting
word came, but Mrs. Watson sobbed and
moaned ceaseessly. "Oh, Honey. how
can leave YOU she exclaimed over
and over again.
| Jones talked little, cuddling his small
daughter in his arms. his wife on one
side and his mother on the other. Bot
women spoke eagerly but with voices
frequently broken by suppressed tears.
! Watson devoted his time to attempts
| to console his wife. who never ceased
her lamentations. Although Sheriff Nc
| Adorv gave the women every minute
possible, the final parting came all toe
soon. Deputy Sheriff Suggs, who was Ii
| charge in the condemned cells told then
kindly but finally that they would hav,
/ to go.
With one accord the mother, wife ant
sister of Arthur Jones flung themselves
| into his arms with loud cries. His aget
mother clung to him covering his fac,
with kisses and brokenly murmuring hel