The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-05-10

dead. And wouldn't say anything anyhow"
 At that point his voice broke, and he sat down in the chair. John Butcher was a Hillsboro store keeper killed by bandits. Hamilton was convicted of his murder, given 99 years in prison. Last Wish to Priest Father Hugh Finegan, who had ministered to both men accom- panied each to the chair. During his many talks with them, he told of his pleasant anticipations of a trip to his native Ireland next month. Hamilton's last words were: T wish you nice trip, Father"
 He was sobbing convulsively be- hind the mask when the current hit him.
 Fourteen members of the state legislature witnessed the execution. They were given choice seats. Out side the prison traffic was jammed for two blocks in every direction.
 Grew Up in Sums
 Huntsville, Texas, May 10-(UP) Raymond Hamilton born at We- leetka, Okla, in 1912, grew up in the dreary atmosphere of the West Dallas slums. where squalid shacks perch on stilts amid tin an dumps. While in his teens Rays crime list included thefts of junk, shoplift- ing, petty thefts, automobile theft, then postoffice burglary, Kidnapping, hijacking, bank and payroll rob- berries and finally murder.
 He later teamed with Clyde and Buck Barrow.
 Rays head was cooler than that of his more vicious teammate, Clyde. The boastful Ray once bragged that he could pick a "push over'i job better than most rob- bers, and that mo prison in the country could hold him."
 Sawed Bars to Escape
 While in the Mckinney jail in 1892, awaiting trial for automobile theft, a "girl friend" brought him a radio. While it played loudly in his cell, he sawed the bars and es- caped.
 A few weeks later aged John Bucher, storekeeper at Hillsboro. Texas, was shot to death as he reached in his safe to get change for two youths who had awakened him to purchase strings for a guitar! Ray and Clyde Barrow were charged with the killing. Ray got a life sentence.
 Then followed the robbery of the West, Texas, bank; the Kidnapping of a Mexia, Texas, womans flight through the middle west with Clyde and Bonnie and parting from them after a quarrel; robbery of banks at Grand Prairie, Texas, and Lew isville, Texas; capture and trial at Denton, Texas, with a 29 year sen- tence. Then Hamilton was tried at Huntsville for the Crowson killing and given death sentence. Beat the Death House Three weeks later on July 22, 1884, Hamilton escaped from the death house as convicts watched baseball game.
 Federal officers charged Hamil- ton with robbing the Corsicana post office on June "A, 1882. The Neuhoff Packing Co, in Dallas was robbed the following August. Ray was charged with that few weeks before Christmas, 1892, officers seized Hamilton as he whirled about the floor of roller skating rink at Bay City, Mich.
 He was given life sentences for the Carmine robbery and the Butcher killing. Ray had served less than three months when Clyde Bar row delivered him from the East. ham prison farm Jan 16, 1884.
 Two months ago he terrorized Prentiss, Miss, robbed the bank, Kidnapped half a dozen citizens, dis armed posse of IS men pursuing him.
 Tn Memphis. Tenn, tip to po- lice led to his capture. Chief Dep- uty Bill Decker approached a group of hoboes in the jungle, lev elled his pistol at one of them.
 "It's all over. Ray, Hoist them"
 Hamilton did. He was armed with two .45 automatics.
 Three More Executed
 Joliet, Ill, May 10-(UP)-Three bank bandits and killers died in the electric chair at the old state prison today, steadfastly protest ing their innocence and mumbling incoherent prayers.
 They were:
 Fred Gerner. 27. Rockford, I'll.
 Arthur Thielen, AZ, his brother in-law, of Rockford.
 John Hnuff. ,S2 Chicago.
 The three were convicted in cir- cult court at Ottawa two months ago of killing J. Charles Bundy. cashier of the Leonore State Bank in q holdup on Jan 16.
 Two other men. Sheriff Glen AK. line of Marshall county and Town- ship Supervisor Charles seipp Of Lasaile, were killed in . series of gun battles with the fleeing ban.