Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-07-16
Youth Hanged for Murder of Girl Last to Be Execut-
 ed in This Manner.
BLAMES TRIAL JUDGE
 AND THE SHERIFF
Arthur Tillman Bitter in Last Mo. mentS, Accusing Judge and Ofii- cers of Prejudice Causing
 His Conviction.

Paris, July 15.-Arthur Tillman, 2z years of age, was hanged in the jai yard here this morning for the mur- der of his sweetheart Amanda Steph ems, in March, 1913. The trap was to give Tillman seven-foot six inch drop, but his neck was not brok- en and he died of strangulation. After the body had suspended 12 minutes life was extinct.
 Tillman went to the gallows bitter toward the trial judge and all off cers who took part in his prosecution He consistently maintained his inno- cence, and blamed the judge and sheriff for his condemnation. Even while praying for his own forgiveness he displayed bitterness by asserting that the trial judge was responsible for the taking of his life. Rev. J. L. Ray, who ministered to the condemn ed youth, Interrupted the boy anG admonished him he should appeal to God in different spirit and should pray flor the forgiveness" of the judge. Thus urged, Tillman did ask God to forgive him. but it was evi- dent the young man did not speak the words sincerely.
 Was Carried to ScaffOld.
 Until the last Tillman hoped for a reprieve, and when he fully realized that he must die on the gallows his strength left him. He was so weak he had to be carried from his cell to the scaffold. Since his attempt to escape on the train, there has been fear he would try suicide and this prevented the officers from providing him with a razor to shave or permit ting barber to shave him.
 He was dressed in a white duck suit and wore white shoes. As he reached the gallows he knelt on the trap door and for 15 minutes dwelt in audible prayer. In his prayer he on- ly referred twice to the crime, once when he declared the trial judge would be responsible for the death ''of an innocent boy," and again when he asked forgiveness for the sheriff who was to spring the trap.
 Fears that friends or members of Tillman's family would attempt to in- terefer with the execution were groundless, and there was no extra ordinary incident in connection with the hanging. Thirty-fve militiamen and officers formed three block cir cle about the jail all night.
 The only relative of Tillman at the execution was his uncle, James Brock an attorney of Clarksville. As Till man stepped upon the scaffold Brock urged him to be brave
 Sisters Break Down.
 As the straps were being adjusted Tillman clung to the hangman's rope While the black cap was being placed over his head he said, Wait min ute." The sheriff removed the cap Goodbye, people," said the youth with nod of his head.
 An extremely. touching incident took place when Tillman's three brothers and two sisters, four of whom are under 19 years of age, called at the jail at an early hour to say fare we'll to the condemned youth. The girls, aged 10 and IA, were first le( into the death chamber, and they al. most collapsed. The cries of these CAl1ulC CA COulO Uc u0dIu TUT Qullc distance. Up until the hour of his execution Tillman held out hopes that stay o execution would be granted him. About midnight last night the con. demned man expressed a desire fol l watermelon, which was secured fol him. A little after o'clock he utter ed a fervent prayer and then went t6 sleep, with instructions that he bt awakened at o'clock. He awoke shortly before that hour without being called.
 Accuses Another.
 Rev. Ray held four religious ser vices with Tillman, from yesterday afternoon until morning. The minis l ter urged Tilllman to confess ani accused him of being guilty of the crime. The boy stoutly maintained he was innocent and gave the name of another man who he said killed Continued on Page 2.l