Gone Home from the Scaffold.
"Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to
the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are
appointed to die."--Psalms 79:11.
"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer."
One of the most touching things, and to me the most important of all
this God-appointed work, has been my special mission to those who are
doomed to execution.
If there ever is a time in our lives when we need a friend, it is when
we are sick, in trouble, or about to die. The last words of our loved
ones are very dear to us all. Nearly every home has at some time had a
call from the death angel. And looking through the bureau drawer, you
might see the little garments, shoes and playthings that used to be
our darlings' before they went away. Turn the leaves of the old Family
Bible and you will see hidden between its pages a lock of hair,
perhaps father's or mother's. We look up to Heaven through our
blinding tears, and cry out between our sobs: "Oh, God, help me to say
'Thy will be done.'"
In looking over my packages of old letters from the departed ones who
have paid the penalty of a violated law, dying either in the electric
chair or on the scaffold, I find them coming to pieces, some so badly
worn I can scarcely read them. And I know the hands that penned them
are now returning back to dust.
In order to show how God saves when they are truly penitent, even men
of this class, who are counted the worst of criminals, I will give an
account of a few instances which have come under my own observation,
and extracts from some of the letters I have received--written before
execution. And let us remember that our Savior declared that every sin
shall be forgiven to men, except the sin against the Holy Ghost.
INDIFFERENT BUT FINALLY CONVERTED.
The first one who was converted under my ministry, before going to the
scaffold, was executed in August, 1885, in the state of Kentucky. On
going to jail I found this young man there with the sentence of death
upon him. The burden of his lost condition came upon my soul in great
power. I felt I should die unless he was saved, and cried mightily to
God for his conviction and conversion. I held several meetings there
and was entertained a part of the time by the sheriff's wife, who was
a Christian lady. She, too, was very anxious for this young man's
salvation. As I took the train to leave the place, his mother
accompanied me to the depot--crying and pleading, "Oh, pray for my
poor boy. It will surely kill me." The bitter wail of that mother's
heart seems to still ring in my ears. Letters from the sheriff's wife
came often, telling me of the boy's still seeming indifferent. But she
said that he often inquired about me and wanted to see me.
I prayed for this soul almost incessantly for forty-five days, being
scarcely able to sleep at night; and he was finally converted. After
his conversion I received from him the following letters:
----, KY., August 5, 1885.
My Dear Friend:
I received your card this morning and was very glad to hear from
you indeed. Mrs. Wheaton, I feel my Savior in my heart. I know
that He will save my soul. I am praying to my God every hour in
the day. I am praying for God to place something in my heart to
tell the people when I go to the scaffold. I want to tell them
what my Savior has placed in my heart--the man that suffered and
died that I should have everlasting life. I wish you could be
with me once more on earth to sing and pray with me, but if not,
I will meet you on that other shore. My friend Charley is praying
and singing with me every day and night and says he will meet us
in the kingdom. They are all well here but Mrs. N. (the sheriff's
wife). She has been sick, but is better now. I would like to be
with you once more before I die, and if not, look out for me when
you reach that happy land. Good-by, good-by. Remember me in your
prayers. I have yet nine days to live.
From your friend,
H---- F----.
* * * * *
----, KY., August 12, 1885.
My Dear Friend:
I received your card tonight at my cell door. I seem to see you
now at the door of my cell, praying for me. The sheriff came in
this morning and put shackles on me. But I thank God that after
two days more I will be at rest. I have been praying to my Father
to teach me something to tell the world at my last hour. I would
like to tell everybody what my dear Savior has done for me. He
has given me what I asked Him for and He will go with me to the
scaffold. I will see you again, "In the fair and happy land, just
across on the evergreen shore." I am ready to go home to rest. I
have suffered enough in this world, so I will bid the world
good-by. I will have to bid you good-by for the present. I will
see you again. I will watch for you. Excuse me for not answering
you sooner. I am in my cell and it is very dark for me to write,
but I do my best. I fast and pray most all the time. Good-by once
more for a while.
From your true friend,
H. F.
Below is an extract from a letter written by the sheriff's wife to me
shortly after the execution took place:
Dear Sister:
I fulfill the promise I made to poor Henry the day he was
executed, to write you a letter and tell you all about him after
he was gone to that bright glory land. It would have done you
good to have seen him the last three days he lived. He was as
happy as he could be. He had a smile on his countenance all the
time and never broke down, no difference who of his friends came
to see him. He talked to his mother and brothers so nice and gave
them such good advice. He told his mother to not grieve after
him, but to rejoice, for he would be so much better off after he
was gone, for he knew that he would be at rest. And if they would
live and do right they could come to him. The people that were
here that day (and there were between four and five thousand)
were surprised to see the beautiful countenance he left the
prison with. He helped to sing that beautiful hymn,
"And must I be to judgment brought,
And answer in that day
For every vain and idle thought
And every word I say?"
with the chorus,
"We are passing away,"
and he was heard distinctly by all. He clapped his hands while he
was singing; then he stepped on to the trap and was soon gone. He
had a prayer on his lips when the black cap was drawn over his
face, and said, "Good-by" to all his friends, and repeated,
"Good-by." He told me to tell you he expected to meet you in
heaven. His mother and brothers send their kindest regards to
you. May God bless you.
Your sister in Christ,
S. N.
MOTHER'S PRAYERS.
The case of C---- was one of most intense interest to the public as
well as his immediate friends. For long months I wept and prayed for
this young man. He was hoping for a new trial. He was always glad to
see me and to have me sing for him. He was refined, educated, a member
of "one of the F. F. V.'s," as they say, yet doomed to die on the
scaffold. How my heart longed to see him saved--for Jesus, too, was
longing for his salvation.
I was called to other fields of labor before the fatal day and was not
sure of his acceptance with God, but can but hope that his poor
mother's prayers and mine were heard in heaven and that that poor,
misguided youth whose every wish had before been gratified was
forgiven. We can but cast the mantle of charity over the case and
leave it with Him who wills not that any should perish but that all
should turn to Him and live. He wrote me the following:
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Prison Missionary:
I appreciate very highly your kindness and sympathy and more so
your prayers. I trust we may all meet in a better land. Return my
thanks to Mrs. Gen T----.
Respectfully,
T. J. C.
Aug. 24, 1885.
CLAIMED TO BE INNOCENT.
The following letter is from one who was executed in 1887. He declared
to the very last that he was innocent of the crime for which he was
convicted. He always maintained to me that the person he was supposed
to have murdered committed suicide under circumstances which threw
suspicion upon him. For myself, I do not believe in capital punishment
and certainly if it is ever justifiable it is not in any case that
leaves a possibility of doubt regarding the guilt of the accused.
In spite of great hindrances, being in the place, I was led to visit
the jail. After having sung for some of the other prisoners an officer
came to me asking if I would go down below to visit a condemned man
who had heard me sing and requested that I would come to him. Of
course I went--though the opening to his cell was so small that I had
to stoop very low to get in. If I remember rightly he claimed to be
converted that day. I was obliged to leave the city soon after, but
heard from him several times before his execution.
Petersburg, Va., April, 1887.
My Dear Friend: I received your postal and will answer it at
once. I was very glad to hear from you, especially as you remind
me so much of my dear old mother--not exactly now, but as she was
about fifteen years ago. * * *
Mrs. R. sang the same hymn for me that I heard you sing to those
in the room above me. She said she would, if she had the chance
before she left the city, write it for me and bring it to me, but
as she has not been here yet I fear she has left, so I will be
very glad if you will be so kind as to write it for me. It is
beautiful.
I was very sorry you left so soon. I would have been so glad for
you to have been in town longer so you could have called at least
once more! But if I never see you on this earth it is comforting
to know we may meet in heaven. But, O God! had I received
justice, today I would be as free as the birds of the field.
There is a blessed hope in knowing while we are persecuted by
men, it is only the body they can persecute on this earth, the
soul is out of their reach. And before the flesh is cold in death
my soul will be soaring above in the realms of bliss to be
forever blessed! O forever! Forevermore! It is one of the most
consoling of all consolations for me to know that it is only the
condemnation of man and the so-called law of the land by which I
was convicted--not by--no, not by--the great Judge of all hearts
and not by justice at all. Only condemned by man--not by my God
and justice. But it is all in God's hands and He will repay, for
"Vengeance is mine," saith the Lord. Vengeance is not mine nor do
I wish to revenge any one. * * * "Revenge is sweet," is an old
adage, but not to me to get revenge and by so doing lose my own
soul, for what is the whole world to gain and lose your own soul?
I am charged with that of which I am not guilty, but my
protestation is in no way believed. Neither was the only pure
one who ever trod the soil of this earth. He was caught and
charged, accused, condemned--yes, more than that, was crucified.
Was he guilty? No--emphatically no. But his innocence could not
save him. Nor did mine do me any good in my trial at all. But,
thank God, it will do me good in the world to come, where I will
receive justice and I will not be in danger of prejudice as lies
and prejudice are the cause of my being in this lonely cell
today. * * *
All the boys in the room over me request me to be remembered in
my letter to you kindly. Many thanks to you for those tracts you
sent me. I hope to be remembered in your daily appeals to our
Maker, in whose care I prayerfully submit myself and you to his
keeping in the future. God grant it and may we meet in heaven.
Hoping this will in no way offend you and that it may be answered
soon to one in solitude--yet not alone; condemned--yet not
guilty.
Your brother in Christ,
W. R. P.
HARDENED IN CRIME.
The case of the writer of the following communications (which were
written on postal cards) was one of note. He was supposed to be so
hardened in crime and so void of feeling that there was no hope for
him--that nothing could reach or save him. But I believed that God
loved him just as the Word teaches us, and I laid hold on the promises
of the Bible for his soul's salvation. I am sure that God never turns
a penitent soul away empty who comes to Him in faith, feeling that He
is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. "O ye of little faith,
wherefore didst thou doubt?"
After the light of God broke in upon this poor man's soul he saw that
he was a wretched sinner, but that there was pardon and peace for all
who truly repent of their sins and who confess and forsake them. To
such God has given the promise of eternal life and that the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son shall cleanse their hearts from all sin. This man
was convinced of his need of a Savior and deeply convicted of sin and
we believe was made ready to meet God. He seemed very deeply thankful
to me for my untiring efforts in his behalf and surprised at my faith
and confidence in God for him, and through these He was brought by the
power of the Spirit unto repentance toward God and faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ.
June 18, 1887.
My Dear, Kind Friend:
I received your welcome postal and it makes me happy to read it.
I am now ready to go to my fate. I pray every night and day for
God to forgive me. I put my whole trust in Him. Pray for me that
God will wash my sins away and receive me in heaven. As I expect
God to forgive me I forgive and love everybody. Think of me when
I am gone. I wish you could pray with me before I go on my long
journey, for I love to hear you pray. Good-bye.
From your penitent brother in Christ.
A. T.
* * * * *
Jail, June 23, 1887.
Dear Sister in Christ:
My time on this earth is now very short (but seven days) and I am
now ready to go to my Father, whom I trust and pray will forgive
me my crime and receive me in his heavenly home. I pray every
hour in the day and, my dear sister, do the same for me that my
sins may be washed away in His blood. Pray that He may give me
everlasting life. O, if I could but live my life over again, how
I would pray and put all my trust in Him. Dear sister, this may
be the last time you may hear from me on this earth, but I hope
we may meet in heaven. Good-bye, God bless you and your noble
work.
Yours waiting to go to his Savior,
A. T.
May God forgive me.
* * * * *
L., Ky., June 25, 1887.
Dear Sister in Christ:
If you only knew how much a poor sinner like me needs the prayers
of such Christians and lovers of God and His Word as you are, you
would pray both night and day that He will receive me in his
heavenly home, where there is no sin or sorrow, but where all is
love and peace. I have now but five short days until all that is
of the world will be consigned to the tomb and I do so pray night
and day that Jesus will cleanse me of my sins. I think this will
be the last time you will hear from me on this earth and when I
go to eternity I do so praising God, forgiving my enemies, firm
in faith and the belief that my sins are washed away in the blood
of Jesus. Good-bye. May we meet in heaven.
A. T.
In 1888 I visited a county jail so crowded with prisoners that I
wondered how they could live in that poorly ventilated, filthy prison.
They had little to eat and evidently no one to care for them. There
were Indians, Mexicans, white and colored all together. There I found
TEN MEN UNDER DEATH SENTENCE; and I was convinced that several were
innocent of the charges laid against them--being condemned by
circumstantial evidence. Those ten condemned men were made the subject
of constant, earnest prayer. O, if judges and jurymen could only know
what eternal destinies hang upon their decisions, surely they would be
less ready to condemn on less than positive evidence. Several of the
ten were executed--among them the writer of the following letter:
----, April 2, 1888.
My Dear Sister:
We received your postal. I was so glad to receive it from those
who love my soul. I have not forgotten one word you left with me.
Jesus Christ is the subject of my day talk and night dreams. I
remember you when I get down on my knees to pray. I pray for the
Lord's will to be done with me as it is done in heaven. I have
forsaken the world for Jesus' sake. His love is shed abroad in my
heart. Myself and Brothers W. and A. (whose sentences have been
changed) are still serving God--also Brother S. I could not tell
you how it is with the other boys, but I talk to them every day.
Brothers W., A., and S. join with me in sending their love to
you. God bless you. I am your brother in Christ.
---- ----
* * * * *
April 26, A. D. 1888.
Sister Elizabeth R. Wheaton. My Dear Sister in Jesus Christ:
My days have been numbered here on earth by man, but there is no
end to the number of days that my God has promised me in
heaven--no more a prisoner here on earth, but to live with our
Lord forevermore. Let not your heart be troubled about me, for
all is well! Yes, indeed, all is well. The love of Christ will
bear me home. Jesus Christ is in me and I am in Him. In God I
trust, in Him I die. I could not tell you how the case is with
the other boys, but I do know for myself I am ready at any time.
My dear sister, I have sent the lovely handkerchief you gave me
home to my old mother. I told mother who gave it to me and for
her to place it in my Bible and put it in her trunk and then I
said: "Here is a picture of mine and a lock of hair for my poor,
old mother and sisters and brothers." I leave a mother, four
sisters and two brothers. If you wish sometime to write to my
mother her address is ---- ----. Farewell until we meet again. I
am your brother in Jesus Christ,
---- ----
CONVERSION OF A JEWISH BOY.
In the same year, I found in one of the prisons of California, a young
Jew under sentence of death. While under the influence of drink, he
shot the girl he truly loved. He never realized it till he became
sober and found himself in prison. Naturally he was surprised and
greatly shocked. Wondering why he was there, and being told of his
crime, he was overwhelmed with grief, and remorse of conscience. Poor
boy! His was a sad ending. He was so grief-stricken! And yet the
courts were against him, and the world at large, for the sin was
pronounced murder in the first degree and he must die--_a boy in his
teens_.
As I looked through the grating at the poor doomed boy, an old
gentleman spoke to me and said something very unkind about him. The
boy said, "That man is a _hypocrite_. But I like those hymns you sang.
_Won't you sing for me?_" So I sang for him, and he requested me not
to talk to him then. So I said, "Can I come and see you again?" "_Oh,
yes, come again, do."_ This poor boy was one of the lost ones, and
Jesus touched his heart while I sang, "Meet me there." This was from
that time on his favorite hymn, and I sang it for him just before he
went to the scaffold.
I went back and forth from San Francisco to other places for six
weeks, but his case lay very heavy upon my heart. I knew that on the
14th of September he was to go, and that worse still, he was in danger
of eternal death. I pleaded and wept for him day and night, that he
might be brought to see his lost condition and his need of Christ and
yield to God. How I bless God that He hears and answers prayer! "If
any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall
ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death."--1
John 5:16.
Before his conversion I received from him the following letters,
beautifully and correctly written:
San Francisco, Aug. 9, 1888.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wheaton:
As to religion I do not profess any creed. I do not mean by the
above that I hate them--on the contrary, I love religion and hate
hypocrisy. I am not an atheist and must admit that I believe in a
true, just and most merciful God. I appreciate your visits very
much and hope you will call to see me as often as opportunity
and convenience will allow, so I now close this brief epistle by
sending kindest regards and best wishes. I am
Respectfully,
---- ----.
"Condemned Cell."
P. S.--Kind thanks for singing.
* * * * *
San Francisco, Sept. 7, 1888.
Mrs. Wheaton:
I am pleased that you called to see me and hope you will repeat
your visits. It grieves me to see you shed tears, and although I
say nothing, remember that "still water runs deep." I have faith
and believe in prayer, so I believe that the cause of a condemned
boy will be heard in heaven and will come to pass. I am not
allowed to shake hands, much less give my mother a comforting
kiss. I now end by thanking you very kindly for your kindness and
consideration to me.
I am, respectfully,
---- ----.
I went, the day before the execution, to see him. No one was allowed
to go inside the doomed boy's cell, so I was compelled to submit to
the law. The sheriff said positively, "No, you cannot go inside." But
the chief jailer said, "I promised that this lady should go inside the
boy's cell before the execution, and I must keep my word. I will go in
with her." He opened the door and we went in. He was a grand man.
Myself and the sister who was with me prayed for the prisoner's
salvation. We sang and read and prayed, and at last the presence of
the Holy Spirit seemed to fill the gloomy little cell, and to touch
the poor boy kneeling there with the shackles on his limbs. (They
frequently put shackles on some days before the execution, and place
them in the "doomed cell.") We kept on praying and singing and at
last the light came into his heart, and God owned him as His child.
On the morning of the execution, I went early to the prison; and as I
hurried along there met me a young Catholic priest, who was our mutual
friend, and very kind. He said, "_Come quickly, the boy wants you._ He
has called for you all night, and they could not find you, so they
came for me. I have been waiting for you." This priest had labored
with me to convince the poor boy that Jesus was the Christ and that He
alone could save him. I hurried on into the prison for my last
greeting on earth with the poor condemned boy. There was no loud
demonstration--he was going to die, and knew it; but he felt that he
was ready. He said to me: "I can hardly wait the hour to go home. I am
willing and ready to die. O sing for me my favorite songs. I wish you
could go with me to the scaffold, but that is against the law for
women to go to the execution in this state." Mothers could not endure
such things, but I feel, when permitted, as if I must stay till all is
over.
I took a white silk handkerchief and gently folded it around the boy's
neck, and said, "I think the rope won't hurt so bad, and the pain
won't be so severe with this around your neck." I shall never forget
the grateful look on his face, as he smilingly thanked me. He was a
very refined young man, and only for whiskey he might be living yet.
As I bade him good-bye he said, "Please sing for me _once more_ before
I go." I sang and passed out among the crowds of people. I seemed to
be lifted above the things of earth--I was so thankful for his
salvation. Reader, do you know what it is to travail for a soul and
then count the hours and moments till you see them go over the river
of death, and by-and-by with the eye of faith see them enter the
pearly gates into the presence of Him who was crucified for them?
After the execution I received the following kind letter from the
young priest to whom I have referred:
San Francisco, Oct. 13, 1888.
Dear Madam:
It was with great pleasure I read your kind and welcome note. I
thank you very much for your pleasant remembrance and hope that
God will bless your efforts and sacrifices on behalf of the poor
prisoners.
In regard to A., I can say that he was resigned to the last and
died well prepared, in my opinion. I was with him almost
constantly during the last twelve hours. I think his family
placed the silk handkerchief in the coffin with him.
Please give my regards to your kind companion and say sometimes a
little prayer for me. I hope to see you soon in San Francisco and
have the pleasure of renewing my acquaintance. I have the honor
of remaining,
Yours truly in Jesus Christ,
Rev. N---- F----.
MYSTERIOUSLY GUIDED.
In April, 1891, I was in Kansas City, Mo. After waiting upon the Lord
for some days asking Him where He would have me go next I was
impressed to go to the depot and that there it would be shown me what
I must do. I did so, but even then was left for several hours in
uncertainty as to what train to take, as I had passes on four
different lines. I spent the time in earnest prayer. At last, toward
evening, I was led to take the Rock Island train for Chicago and
impressed that the Lord would show me when and where to stop. I had
two sisters and a little boy with me and they could not understand my
indecision.
As our train hurried on during the night, I kept asking the Lord where
I should stop, and He made it very plain to me that I was to stop at
Ottawa, Ill. I knew no one there, and there was no state-prison there,
but the Lord showed me to go to the county jail and when I did so
found there were several men there soon to be executed. I was told
that no one was permitted to see them; but we went praying and the
Lord touched the hearts of the officers and we were permitted to hold
a service. We were much helped of the Holy Spirit and I believe some
of these condemned men were saved--at least they seemed to give
evidence of it. One of them afterwards wrote me two letters. These I
give to my readers. It is well to remember, however, that not many
such prisoners are accustomed to expressing their thoughts in writing
and hence their letters fail to express the depth of feeling clearly
shown in their words and manner when I am with them. Again all their
letters are to be read before they leave the prison, so they do not
open their hearts as freely when writing as when speaking with me
alone.
La Salle County Jail,
Ottawa, Ill., April 28, 1891.
Elizabeth R. Wheaton.
Dear Sister: We are doing very well. As for Mr. C. and myself, we
will do the best we can to reach that Beautiful home in the New
Jerusalem, for the Lord saith: "He that believeth and abideth in
Me shall have everlasting life." As you must have seen, our
belief is a little different from yours in some respects, but,
nevertheless, we are all working for that one place and that is
heaven. He that leaveth his sins behind him shall be saved. The
example of those who died for Christ, for the faith and for
virtue's sake are also continually placed before us that we may
learn to endure sufferings and even death rather than be
unfaithful to God and stain our conscience with sin. The
Christian's motto is, "Death before dishonor." Hoping that you
will continue to pray for us that we may be cleansed from sin and
be saved, we send you our sincere and hearty wishes for your
welfare. God bless you and keep you ever for your sincere effort
in our behalf. Hoping that we may meet in that beautiful place
where the penitent shall find rest, I remain yours in respect,
CHARLIE ----.
* * * * *
La Salle County Jail, Ottawa, Ill., May 6, 1891.
Dear Sister:
I was glad to receive your letter and to hear that you are still
praying for us. Mr. F. has gone out, so there are just two of
us--me and Mr. C., who, I think, will get a new trial. He sends
his kind regards and is doing well.
As for me, I am very close to the grave as I have only four more
days to live, but hope that it will be all for the best. I am
preparing myself for death as much as possible for so short a
time. My thoughts are not of the outside world, but of a higher
world, where there is no sin or trouble or care, but everylasting
life and happiness. I also hope that we may meet in that haven of
rest. I will do as you say, put my trust in God and believe in
Him. Life is very short at best, but we all have our cares and
troubles and must bear with them the best we can, as we are
helpless without the grace of God. Thanking you sincerely for
your kind efforts in our behalf, I remain your brother in all
sincerity. Farewell.
Yours in respect,
CHARLIE ----.
IN LONG EXPECTATION.
I first saw E. B---- in the jail in Wichita, Kansas. There were many
prisoners there at that time and especially in the Oklahoma ward. It
was soon after the opening up of Oklahoma territory and the rush for
claims. There was great excitement and many lost their lives. Some
were thrown from their horses and killed. Others died from exhaustion,
running as for life to get the property they so much coveted. There
were many things done that were wrong. Some are still lingering inside
prison walls for "defending their rights" as they thought. I do not
remember just what E.'s trouble was, but he was sentenced to death
and the day and the hour were set. I went often to the prison and sang
and prayed for the prisoners. They were my friends. I knew and loved
them as a mother would, and especially this young boy--the youngest of
them all.
I went away to Europe and on my return I again visited the jail in
Wichita to hold a service. While singing the first hymn the jailer
came into the apartment where I was and said, "The Oklahoma boys have
heard you singing and want you to come at once to their ward. They did
not know you had returned from Scotland and are so anxious to see
you." And such a welcome as those dear boys and men gave me I had
received no where else since my return. Some were under death
sentences. O how my heart aches even now as I think of the tears they
shed and of their warm handclasp. Then I could only fall on my knees
and sob out my sorrow for them and my heartfelt thanks to God for the
warm welcome and as I wept and prayed I believe good was accomplished
and souls saved. Some are dead and gone. Others are in the asylum for
the criminal insane. A few were pardoned out. Eddie's case lingered.
While hoping for a commutation of sentence he wrote the following
letter:
Wichita, May 3, 1891.
Dear Friend:
I received your kind letter. Was glad to hear you were well and
still at your post, working for others. I am still in my little
cell awaiting what comes and have not heard much yet regarding
commitment, but hope it may come in time. I am feeling as though
I have a heavy load on my shoulders for a boy, but I hope and
pray for the best to come. I want to see the light, if there is
any for me. I sometimes think that I am forgotten; and then again
I know better, for there is One who never forgets us. I have
read those nice tracts you sent me and they are all true. The
boys are all well and send their best respects to you and hope to
meet you again; and you know I do, for I feel the need of your
kindness and appreciate it highly. I know what a kind mother is.
I have a good Christian mother and father. Oh, if I were only
free again, so I could enjoy life with my dear mother! No one
knows how lonely I am. You are only one hundred miles from my
home in ----, Illinois. If you go there you could find them by
enquiring for them. They would be glad to see you, as I have told
them about your being here. I hope some day that you can come and
see me on the outside. What a happy boy I would be! If not, I
hope we may meet in that brighter home. I have been reading my
Bible and find relief. What a book it is, and the good that can
be gotten from it! I wish you success through life and that you
may save many a poor lost sinner. No one knows the good they can
do until they try.
May God bless you, is my prayer.
EDDIE ----.
SENTENCE COMMUTED.
Many of those acquainted with the case were anxious for his release
but met with little encouragement. I continued to pray earnestly that
at least his life might be spared. When the day appointed for his
execution came I was in a distant state some miles from a telegraph
office, but I sent a little boy to the office with a message telling
him that the Lord might even yet deliver him and if not would sustain
him in his dying moments. The same day a wire came for him from the
governor changing his sentence to imprisonment for life. He was
transferred to a northern prison, but only lived a few years. So far
as I could learn he lived and died a Christian, and I hope to see him
again by and by in heaven.
A MAN DECEIVED.
At one time I held a service with the prisoners in the county jail in
Sedalia, Missouri. Among them was a poor old man awaiting execution.
He seemed unmoved, stolid, indifferent. I talked and prayed with him
and asked him about his soul's salvation. He said it was all right
with his soul and that he was saved. I knew the Lord showed me that he
was a deceived man and that the devil had deluded him into thinking he
was all right. I was faithful to my convictions, to my God and to his
soul. I said to him: "You are not prepared to face the scaffold and
death." He seemed indignant that I should doubt his word, but I left
him with the warning, "Prepare to meet thy God."
I went to the wife of the sheriff, who was an excellent woman, and
found she too was very anxious about his soul. I told her of my burden
for him and asked for a room where I could wait on God in prayer and
she kindly furnished it. In an hour the old man sent word to the
sheriff to send for me to come and pray for him as he was not fit to
die. In company with others I went to him and the poor deceived old
man repented of his sins and confessed them to God and to us and was
blessedly saved and died in the full assurance of faith. His last
words were of his hope in Christ and of his acceptance with God. I
fully believe that the blood of Jesus--who died on the cross for
sinners and was the friend of sinners always--did cleanse his soul.
The sheriff's wife told me of his last words and that all was well. We
give a clipping from a Sedalia paper concerning the case.
VISITORS EXCLUDED.
WILLIAMSON WILL RECEIVE NO MORE VISITS--PREPARATION FOR THE
EXECUTION.
Sheriff Ellis R. Smith has commenced to make his arrangements for
the execution of Thomas A. Williamson, and everything will be in
readiness before Saturday morning. The rope with which John Oscar
Turlington and Bill Price were hanged will be used, the sheriff
having received a telegram yesterday from Sheriff Mat S. Ayers,
of Saline county, stating that it had been forwarded to him by
express. On the day of execution the police force will assist the
county authorities in preserving order in the vicinity of the
jail building.
No more visitors will be permitted to see and talk with
Williamson, except his spiritual advisers. This is in compliance
with the condemned man's wishes, which are contained in the
following note which he sent to Sheriff Smith yesterday:
"Sheriff Smith: I would like a cell by myself the rest of my
time. You can put me any place. I will give you no trouble. My
mind is on God. I would like to be upstairs; it is lighter up
there. I will go where you put me.
T. A. W."
I received from him the following letters written after his
conversion. One of them reached me after his execution:
Sedalia, Mo.
Sister Elizabeth R. Wheaton:
I am well this morning. I thank God for it. I hope this will find
you well. I prayed to God to watch over me through the night, and
He did. I feel happy. I will meet you across the river. We will
have a good time. May God keep you. I am going to heaven. I will
meet you in that bright land. I am glad to hear from you.
THOS. A.
* * * * *
Sedalia, Mo., October 29, 1891.
My True Mother:
I got your letter right now. I read it and got on my knees and
prayed to God to have mercy on me. My sister, I have my mind on
Jesus all the time. I feel happy this morning. Mother, I will
meet you on the other shore. Mother S. (the sheriff's wife) is so
kind to me! My mind is on God so I can hardly write. I will pray
for you.
THOS. A.
INTERCEDED FOR THE LIFE OF A BOY.
I went to a city in 1898, where there were four under sentence of
death, and when I went into the jail found many waiting trial. Some
were going to state's prison. Others were to die on the scaffold. I
was especially impressed with the case of one boy who was under death
sentence. I held a service with the prisoners and talked personally to
those condemned to die. One man was wonderfully saved and I believe
went to heaven from the scaffold. I then went away to other states.
But I was so troubled I made inquiries and found that the young boy to
whom I referred _was not charged with being a murderer_, and was not
deserving of death. I plead to God if there was nothing the law could
find in him worthy of death, that his sentence might be commuted, and
the poor boy might live. Upon my return I went to the capital to see
the Governor, and asked him to grant the boy a life sentence in
prison. My request was granted, it was soon all settled and the boy's
life was spared. Yet the Deputy Sheriff was very angry at the Governor
for granting the commutation!
WENT TO THE SCAFFOLD SINGING.
In May, 1899, another poor prisoner ended his life on the scaffold.
The Friday before, two died on the same gallows. I visited them the
day before the execution, talked and sang hymns (their favorites), and
then we three kneeled together in prayer in the little "condemned
cell." Kneeling between my boys, clasping each by the hand, we gave
ourselves to the blessed Savior, who said just before he expired on
the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." I
shall never forget that last prayer meeting with those unfortunate men
who had been led astray by evil surroundings and associations, forming
habits which finally sent them to early graves, by fearful deaths.
Yet, as we knelt there together, just we three and the blessed Holy
Spirit witnessing, we promised to meet in Heaven. Jesus met us there
and forgave them their sins, and joy filled our souls with love for
Him who gave Himself a ransom for us, not willing that any should
perish, but rather that all should have eternal life. How my heart
rejoiced to hear them say they were prepared to go, and the parting
was very sweet. A solemn hush filled the little cell--sweet peace
which only comes when souls have been redeemed, fell upon my heart,
and I was glad Jesus Himself did His own work for His own name's honor
and glory. They sang hymns and prayed all night before the execution.
They refused to eat, preferring to sing and pray till the last, and
went to the scaffold singing and praising God, and were still singing
when the drop fell, and they were gone from earth.
My heart cried out for the living that May morning, as another one
went to the scaffold, "O God, save his soul! O God, forgive him all
his sins. The same scaffold, the same sin, and the same Jesus to blot
out all his transgressions." I believe God, where he says, Isa. 1:18,
"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow:
though they be red like crimson they shall be as wool." If it were not
for the promises of God in His blessed Word, I should give up in
despair, sometimes, over those cases who have been so deceived by the
devil. Yet God is able to snatch them as brands from the burning. Jude
22-23 says, "And of some have compassion, making a difference: and
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the
garment spotted by the flesh." Jesus said, "Whosoever will may come,"
I believe His promises are "Yea and amen to all that believe." When I
see what saloons and other evils are doing to wreck lives and ruin
souls, I wonder how God on His throne can ever forgive such
premeditated, intentional sins. The keepers of these places sell
themselves to Satan to be used by him to defeat God's plan of saving
those who will come unto Him. O that all who claim to be Christians
would unite to overthrow the means that Satan uses to lead down to
eternal death so many precious souls!
The case to which I shall now refer was one in many respects
especially touching. The condemned man had occupied _a prominent
official position_. The dear, noble wife never turned away from her
husband. Hers were the kind heart and hands that ministered to his
needs and cheered the long, gloomy hours of his imprisonment. She
stood by him in his trial and during those days of agony and suspense.
Then came the verdict "Guilty," and the sentence of death! Yet, though
her own heart was breaking as she thought of herself and her
beautiful, helpless children, she still sought to cheer and comfort as
best she could that poor condemned man whose heart was torn with
anguish when he realized that because of his sin that faithful loving
wife and those innocent children must be left disgraced and destitute.
What is to become of the little ones who are powerless to help
themselves and of the poor despised, rejected, forsaken mother, trying
to earn with her own hands by toiling night and day enough to feed and
clothe those helpless babes? O my God, will you not help me to provide
a home for such as these? For the sake of these heart-broken mothers
whose lives are doomed to be (only as helped by the grace of God) one
great unending sorrow--for the sake of the poor children so cruelly
robbed of their birthright--a father's good name and protection, these
who are worse than orphans, yet for whom nobody seems to care, help
me to do what I can--what thou dost require at my hands. This man was
brought up in a Christian home and but for the power of evil
associations with which he was brought in contact and the curse of the
legalized saloon, would today in all probability have been a respected
and honorable member of society.
I first found him one Fourth of July. While others were spending the
holiday I went toiling through the heat to the prison and there I
found my reward. My soul was borne upward by the Holy Spirit as I sang
many songs of praise and tenderly led this poor man to the foot of the
cross where he was saved. His wife was there a part of the time. I
seem to see the parting even now of those dear ones! Well, God knows
it all. Had I never known a wife's and a mother's love I could not
have sympathized with them as I did. I thought--What if _my_ boy had
lived and come to such an end--and I wept with that faithful wife as
she took leave. O, sisters, there is a power in even a look of love
coming from a true heart.
I give two letters received from the condemned man and one written me
by his wife. I omit the name of place and exact date and even the
initials, as so few years have passed and I do not wish to do anything
that might bring pain to the hearts of surviving friends. The family
was of the most cultured and respected.
July, 1899.
Dear Sister Wheaton:
It was with the greatest pleasure that I read your card this
morning. I was wondering where you were; but I knew that if your
health permitted you, you were somewhere doing good to some poor
unfortunate.
Yes, I am putting my entire trust in Jesus. He saves me from my
sins and when the cares and woes of this life come to disturb my
peace, I look unto the Savior and soon all is peace again. What
would I do in a place like this and under such circumstances did
not his gentle voice speak unto me and say, "Fear not, I will not
leave nor forsake you." My wife was down to see me last Monday,
and is coming today (Thursday). She wrote me that your songs and
prayer were still ringing in her ears--so you see that your good
work is not only felt by prisoners. I hope that you may be able
to go on with the good work that so much delights you and that
you may yet win many wandering souls and bring them into the fold
of God and that when your work on earth is ended you may rest
from your labors in the most beautiful palace in the city of
heaven. You may think that strange that I said "palace," but I
believe that heaven is a real and tangible city--the home of God,
from where He sends the Holy Ghost to dwell in the hearts of all
those who are willing to receive Him.
I will now say good-by, and if I never again meet you on this
earth, I hope to meet you in heaven.
I am yours most sincerely in the hope of heaven.
---- ----.
* * * * *
August, 1899.
My Dear Mother, for such you seem to me, I will never while I am
on this earth cease to think of you. I have remembered your voice
since I first heard you sing and pray while in the cells of poor
W----and S----, the condemned men. I wished then that I could
have seen you, and I told the boys that you were certainly born
of God; and from that day I have desired to have your influence
and prayers. I am still trusting in the love, mercy and power of
the Savior to save my soul in the eternal world and to keep me
from sin while I am in this. I have no other hope, no other
desire than to serve my Master. I would want to attain to a state
of perfection here, if such were possible, but you know that the
cares of this life come in to rob us of the pleasure that we
would enjoy in the anticipation of heaven. But some day the dark
clouds that overshadow us and prevent us for a while from seeing
the Savior's smiling face will be rolled away. I am glad to tell
you that the sentence of R----, whose cell was next to mine, has
been commuted to life imprisonment. He and the man P---- send
their regards to you. P----'s sentence is respited until the
17th of November, and in the meantime he hopes for a new trial.
I will close, wishing you the choicest blessings of heaven, and I
am yours very sincerely, trusting in the hope of eternal life,
Your brother in Christ,
---- ----.
The following from the _Star_ of ----, ----, explains itself. The men
are referred to in the above letter:
BOTH TWICE CONVICTED OF THE CRIME OF MURDER.
Everything is in readiness at the District jail for the double
execution which is to take place tomorrow, when S---- and W----
will pay the penalty of their crimes. So far as outward
appearances are concerned, the condemned men are in a better
frame of mind than are most of the other prisoners in the big
brown-stone prison. Their spiritual advisers are with them most
of the time, and when they are absent the men pass the hours
reading religious books and praying.
S---- and W---- have both been well-behaved prisoners and have
given the jail officials no trouble whatever. The former has been
particularly friendly with the guards and others, and today he
thanked several of them for past kindnesses. He also desired to
express his gratitude to his many friends for what they had done
for him, and said he desired to do so through the _Star_. S----
has had many visitors during the entire time of his confinement
in jail, but more especially during recent weeks. Most of them
have been female relatives. They have been endeavoring to collect
funds enough to defray the expenses of a decent burial. In the
event of their being successful the body will be turned over to
them after the execution by the undertaker employed by the
government to prepare the bodies for burial.
Monday afternoon, just before the prison doors were locked for
the day, the bell rang and the guard at the door admitted a woman
who handed in her card on which was printed:
"Elizabeth Rider Wheaton,
"Prison Evangelist.
"No Home but Heaven."
She had with her a number of tracts which she distributed to some
of the prisoners. Her religious work is all done in prisons, and
she makes a specialty of laboring with condemned men. She stated
to the guards that she had traveled about 2,000 miles to see
those in jail here before their execution. The warden admitted
her to the cells. She had W---- and S---- join her in prayer and
song in the latter's cell, and the men seemed greatly to
appreciate her hour's visit. She next saw E---- S----, who is to
die on the scaffold next week. He, too, appeared to enjoy her
call.
---- ----
_Star_.
* * * * *
August, 1899.
Mrs. Wheaton.
My Dear Sister: I must write a few lines to you, in my husband's
letter, as you have shown yourself so kind to him, poor fellow. I
can see you now and hear you, in my fancy, singing those
beautiful pieces. Oh, how sad I felt on that Fourth of July as I
sat and listened, especially to the one called "Some Mother's
Child," as I looked upon my dear husband and thought of his
mother and how tenderly he had been reared by Christian parents,
and was always a good and thoughtful son and husband until by
reason of evil associations he fell into sin and kept going
further and further from God until at last he was led to do the
most dreadful of deeds. How I pity him!
O how happy I once was! Had a pretty home and everything to
brighten it. But alas, they have vanished and now I feel alone,
without anything. Did I say "alone?" No, not so, for the God that
I have served and who has been with me these twenty years, is
still with me; and I feel to say, "Though he slay me, yet will I
trust him." I feel that he will open up a way for his children.
Now, my dear sister, I would love to see you again in this life
and talk with you, but if I never meet you here I trust I shall
meet you above, where your voice will be heard with the angels of
God. Please remember me to your lady helper. Would be glad to
hear from you at any time. Good-bye.
Yours in love and the hope of heaven,
---- ----.
Two years later, while in the same city, a friend invited me to go to
an open-air service and after I had sung and spoken to those who were
gathered a dear lady clasped my hand and said: "I am so glad to see
you, mother--don't you know me?" As I failed to recognize her she
turned her careworn but lovely face so that the electric light shone
full upon her and said, "Don't you remember me now?" When I still
answered "No, I do not," the tears gathered in the dear eyes as she
said, "My husband never forgot your singing and your prayers before he
went away," and then it dawned upon me that she was the wife of the
man the people hung to gratify the saloon men's greed. She said: "I do
wish I could ask you home with me, but I have only a little hall room
for myself and children. I am keeping boarders to make a living for
myself and them." O how I wished for a home to which I could welcome
them, but I, too, am a pilgrim and a stranger, and all I could do was
to kiss the dear sister and commend her to the widow's God and her
dear ones to the Father of the fatherless.
The letters following are from two brothers with whom I labored, and
who showed much appreciation of my efforts with them and professed to
be saved. I received a number of encouraging letters from them and
from others in the same place before they were taken away. We can not
always tell as to the sincerity of these poor men, or of their
responsibility, some of them doubtless are so nearly unbalanced in
mind, under such a strain, but we know the God of heaven before whom
we must all stand will judge righteously.
October 18, 1903.
My Dear Mother Wheaton:
While my dear unfortunate brother, Mr. K., has given me space in
his letter, I just wish to congratulate you for the wonderful
good you did while here with us, as we have not forgotten your
topic, "Salvation," and often speak of you and hope you will
come again at your earliest convenience. Thank God there is some
of us have the Spirit of God with us. Bless His holy name! And I
for one can praise Him for the wonderful good He has done me, and
through His wonderful love I have been granted a stay of
execution, which was to take place the 21st of this month; for
God in heaven knows I am innocent of this crime, as is also my
brother. I am sorry to say I do not know much about the Bible,
but intend to learn more about His wonderful love to man, and
will serve Him to the end. Trusting that you will look upon us as
your children, I will close, hoping to hear from you again,
Your unfortunate boy,
B. W.
* * * * *
Dear Mother Wheaton:
Received your letter and was glad to hear from you. It brought
great joy to our bleeding hearts. We think of you and wish you
could talk and sing for us every day. Your kind, loving words
bring me near to God. When I leave this world I will go to my
heavenly Father, where there is everlasting life, and if we never
meet on earth, I will meet you in heaven. I shall never forget
you and the prayer you made for me. We felt bad when you could
not come back and tell us about our loving God. Pray for me that
I may walk daily with God. I remain as ever,
Your dear boy,
A. W.
Columbus, Ohio.
THREE YOUNG MEN.
Some cases of special interest to me because of such recent
occurrence, are the three young men mentioned elsewhere and from whom
I received the following letters. I will first give a note very kindly
written me by the son of the warden, in answer to an inquiry about the
cases while they were awaiting some decision of the supreme court:
Colorado State Penitentiary.
Canon City, Colo., December 7, 1904.
Mother E. R. Wheaton. Tabor, Iowa.
Dear Mother: I have not answered your postal on account of my
absence from the city, but I hope you will overlook the delay.
The fate of the four prisoners under sentence of death is still
undecided, as their case is in the hands of the Supreme Court.
There is some doubt as to the legality of the law and it is a
hard matter to tell what the outcome will be. No, my folks did
not attend the Prison Congress this year on account of my
sister's health. The boys at the prison often speak of you and
some have started to forget the past and try to do better in the
future on account of the good words you spoke to them. I hope you
will come to see us before my father goes out of office, but if
this is impossible, I pray that we may meet at some future time.
I remain,
Yours respectfully,
Willard Cleghorn.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., May 3, 1904.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
I have received your kind letter and postal and I am very glad to
know that you have not forgotten me. I have not forgotten you
either, nor never will. For it was no other than you who put me
on the right road to heaven, and I know that if I do all you told
me that I will meet you there. I am praying both day and night,
and I pray from my heart, and mean every word that I say, and I
know that my sorrow is more than I can bear without God's help. I
know that God has forgiven me all of my sins, and will save me
too. I do not care who laughs at me for praying and asking God
for help. There is nothing that can ever make me quit praying and
believing in God, for He has done me good already.
With love and best wishes, and hoping to hear from you soon,
Yours sincerely,
F. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., May 3, 1904.
Dear Mrs. Wheaton.
It is with pleasure that I answer your most kind and welcome
letter that brother A. and I received some time ago. We also
received a postal card this morning. I have neglected my promise
of writing, but hereafter will write more promptly. I have not
been feeling well, but am better now. I hope you will forgive me
this time.
It does my heart good to know that you are praying for us. I feel
very grateful to you. Us boys pray and read the Holy Bible every
day. I am trusting to our Heavenly Father, for He makes right the
wrong. We are being treated most kindly by the warden and the
officers of the prison.
I will close, as Brother A. wishes to say a few words.
Hoping to hear from you again, I ever remain
Your son in Christ,
C.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., May 17, 1904.
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton.
My Dear Mother: I received your kind letter and was very much
pleased to hear from you, as all of us were. * * *
When I saw and read your letter and those little tracts, they
certainly did take effect on me. As I read them and saw the
terrible mistake I had made, it caused the tears to fall. I am
trusting in God, but I can't come right out and tell you that I
am really saved, for I don't believe in deceiving you. But I do
believe that God has laid a hand on me, and I hope He will take a
stronger hold on me. I know you will think more of me for telling
you the candid facts. I have seen lots of people who would tell
that they were really saved, when they knew they were not. But
"God help my poor soul," is my regular prayer. I realize that I
need His help in my present circumstances. I still ask you to
pray for me that God will help me to look to Him. I try my best
to do what is right, and never go to sleep a night without
praying to Him to save my soul and spare me so that I may be of
some benefit to His cause, and I do fully believe that He will
answer my prayer, for when I pray I am sure I do it with all my
heart and soul.
I am quite well at present, and hope that these few lines will
find you the same. May God bless you and protect you, is my daily
prayer. I hope to hear from you again soon.
From one of yours, and I hope, the Lord's sons.
Yours respectfully,
N. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., May 27, 1904.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
I take pleasure in answering your most kind and welcome letter
received a few days ago. I am quite well at present. I am taking
things as easy as I can and waiting most patiently to know how I
will fare. I haven't forgot to pray and read the Bible, nor will
I as long as I live. I am trusting in the Lord, for He makes all
things right. I will close, hoping to hear from you again.
Very sincerely yours,
C. P.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., May 27, 1904.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
I take pleasure in answering your letter. You don't know how glad
I was to hear from you. This leaves me well and in good faith and
I am trusting in the Lord, for I know He will help me if I will
only be good and do His will. I pray and read my Bible every
night and day. Oh, if I ever do get my freedom I will make a man
of myself and do God's will and make my poor wife and mother and
father happy. I will never take a drop of whiskey or anything
again. So good-bye. We have heard nothing of our case yet. The
time seems so long.
From yours sincerely,
F. A.
The following are extracts from touching letters from the aged mother
and young wife of this young man:
Kansas City, Mo., July 4, 1904.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
We received your card and were indeed glad to hear from you. Oh,
I am praying to God all the time to spare my baby's life. How can
I ever live if they take his life! Why do they want it? He did
not kill any one, although the deed he did almost breaks my
heart. F. never drank until he got with those people on Market
Street. They got him to smoking hop and drinking whiskey. My dear
and only child, will God and man have mercy on him? Oh, I thank
you for going to see my poor baby boy! God bless him and save his
life.
I hope you can see the Governor and see if he will do something
for a mother to save her only child. I can hardly stand it. It
has done F. so much good for you to see him. He always speaks of
you when he writes home. Oh, I do hope the Governor will give you
some hopes, for if I could get any hopes of F. being spared it
would do me so much good! I pray day and night for my boy. He is
on my mind all the time. Hoping to hear from you soon, I am
Sincerely yours,
MRS. A.
* * * * *
Kansas City, Mo., July 4, 1904.
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton:
Kind Friend: I was truly glad to hear from you and that you are
going to see my dear husband soon. I hope it will not be long
till I see him, for it seems like years since I have seen poor F.
I hope my loved one will come out better yet, for I can never
stand it. I hope and pray that F. will have a show for his life.
How short our young lives were together. F. was always kind to me
and it almost took my life when I was robbed of my darling
husband. I was an orphan girl. My dear mother died when I was
five years old. I had a hard time all my life till I was
eighteen, when I was married to F., last September. I was so
happy with him. He was a good boy and never drank till he met
with the Market Street gang and they got him to drinking and
smoking that hop.
This is the Fourth of July and F.'s gray-haired mother and I are
here grieving over the loved one in prison. If a wife ever loved
a husband truly I love mine. I remain your friend,
MRS. F. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., Sept. 22, 1904.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
I was glad to hear from you, which I always am, for your letters
are full of kind words and it is a pleasure to read them in my
lonely cell and know there is one true friend who prays for me.
Kind words are few for me now when I am in need and going through
the most terrible and trying time of a lifetime. But I am living
in hopes and trusting God for my future, come what may. I surely
thank you for seeing the Governor in our behalf.
My mother and wife are well. Their letter to you must have been
missent, for they wrote. This leaves me well.
Yours sincerely,
F. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., March 26, 1905.
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton:
Dear Mother: I was very glad to hear from you as I did not know
what had become of you. Well, the law has been found good and the
death watch is over us. Poor ---- was hung the 6th. Our time
begins the 21st of May. Yes, I am trusting God and I know He has
heard my prayers, and whatever comes will be for the best. P----
is getting better again they tell me. A---- is the same as ever.
I wrote to my mother today and told her I heard from you.
Yours sincerely
F. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., April 12, 1905.
Mrs. E. R. Wheaton, Los Angeles, Cal.:
Dear Mother Wheaton: I was glad to hear from you. Your letters do
me so much good, they always give me new hope. Of course you
understand what I am going through, and at times hope seems
hopeless for the time seems so long to me in this dreary cell,
and to think if I had left that horrible liquor alone and stayed
away from bad company where I could have been to-night--free and
happy, at home with my wife and my poor old mother and father.
But as it is I am sad and lonely and my loved ones are far away,
heart-broken. But I believe my prayers will be answered yet, for
I know God has heard them. But, the Lord's will be done. I know
He will do what is best for me.
Well, dear mother, the boys are well and send their best regards.
Sincerely yours,
F. A.
* * * * *
Canon City, Colo., June 15, 1905.
Dear Mother Wheaton:
I received your kind and welcome letter and was glad to hear from
you again. I will never have the pleasure of reading another
letter from you in this world, for I have been put back in a
horrible death cell again and the Board of Pardons and Governor
have refused to save me from the terrible death I am doomed for,
but I expect to meet you in heaven, dear mother, for I know God
has forgiven me all of my sins. I want to thank you again for all
you have done for me, for I know you have spent many a sleepless
night on account of me. I felt a great deal better after seeing
and praying with you the last time you were here than I had since
I've been in this trouble. I am glad things are most at an end
for I am very weary of these lonesome death cells. Of course I
don't want to die nor am I glad of it, for I have lots to live
for yet as you know, but the Lord's will be done. I know it will
be for the best. Well, I will close for this time. I am to be
hung in the next twenty-four hours, so good-bye, dear friend.
Think of me sometime in the future.
From your son in Christ,
F. A.
* * * * *
Mother Wheaton:
Dear Mother: We just received your loving letter last night and
was glad to hear from you. Oh, dear mother, my darling boy is
gone; never can I see his loving face in this cruel world. Oh, it
is terrible; it seems too hard for me to stand. Just think, my
only darling child. But I know he is in heaven. He died on the
16th. We went to see him and he was so glad to see us. He kissed
his papa and all of us and said he wanted us not to grieve any
more than we could help.... His last words were "Good-bye,
mamma," with a smile and wave of his hand just like I was coming
back again. He said he would like to be buried close to home.
Poor, darling boy; he loved to be close to home and mamma in
life, but it is hard to think that he had to spend his last days
away from us, all on account of whiskey.
Your friends as ever,
MRS. A. AND L.
(The above was from the aged mother and the young wife.)
Think you, dear reader, that these experiences are passed by lightly
when I must enter into the sorrows of these mothers and loved ones who
must give up their dear ones in this way? Only the grace and love of
God can sustain me and these dear bereaved ones in these trials. This
was one of my saddest experiences, as I was personally acquainted
with the parents and the dear young wife of one of these young men,
having been entertained at their home some days at a time during their
sorrow. This is only another example of what strong drink is doing in
our land. God pity those who in the least favor this traffic.
I give below short extracts taken from _The Daily News_ of Denver
concerning these cases:
"Not yet has the final word for F. A., C. P. and N. A., under
sentence of death, been said.
"It is likely that it will not be said for at least a week or ten
days. The Board of Pardons adjourned late yesterday afternoon
without deciding the fate of the three boys....
"But, though the tragic element was lacking, there was present
throughout the meeting an undercurrent of deep human woe. The
mother of A. was there, clad in black, with a hopeless expression
on her face pitiful to see. Beside her at all times was the wife
of A., young, pretty in an indefinite sort of way, her blue eyes
holding ever before them the wreck of her shattered girlish
romance. Both women wept freely at times.
"With the two women were a dozen of their women friends, whose
coming had been actuated by a mixture of curiosity and sympathy.
FRIEND OF ALL PRISONERS.
"Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wheaton, friend of prisoners the world over,
was there too. She sat next Mrs. A., the elder, and wept
copiously in sympathy. 'Mother' Wheaton visited the boys at Canon
City, and she told the board the impression of her visit, how,
she was sure, they had repented of their deed and had their sins
forgiven.
"She also pleaded for their lives on the ground of opposition to
capital punishment. She has been in state prison rescue work for
twenty-one years, and her silver hair, refined face and gentle
manner have brought comfort to criminals everywhere."--News, May
6.
SESSION OF THE BOARD.
The Board of Pardons met in special session at 10 o'clock
yesterday morning for the purpose of passing finally upon the
applications of the three boys for commutation of sentence from
death to imprisonment for life.
Interest in the proceedings of the morning centered around four
women, two mothers, a sister and a wife of the condemned boys.
They were Mrs. J. A., bowed with the weight of her seventy years,
who had come all the way from Buffalo, N. Y., to be present at
the meeting; her daughter, Miss A., of Denver; Mrs. J. A. and
Mrs. F. A., mother and wife, respectively, of F. A. All four were
present throughout the hearing and made personal pleas to the
Board.
After the hearing was concluded they went together into the outer
office of the executive chamber and sat huddled up in one corner
of the big room, their eyes fixed on the door which led to the
inner office where four men were deciding whether the boys they
loved should live or die.
HEARD THE BAD NEWS.
When the news of the Board's action was conveyed by Secretary C.
E. Hagar to the four women waiting in the outer office, their
grief was pitiful in the extreme. Mrs. A. very nearly collapsed.
She clung to the arm of her daughter and moaned in heart-breaking
accents. The daughter, too, was almost overcome, but controlled
herself for her mother's sake.
The mother and wife of F. A., while it was evident they were
suffering keenly, maintained an outward composure except for the
tears which welled from their eyes. They hurriedly left the
capitol building together. The young wife will go to the
penitentiary Friday to say a last good-bye to her husband.
PLEA OF ATTORNEY.
W. E., attorney for A., made a wonderfully eloquent plea for his
client's life. It was logical, pathetic and at times scathing in
its denunciation of the methods used by the police to extort
confessions from the boys. He said these methods, in their
horrible brutality, were without parallel anywhere.
"The only evidence upon which N. A. was convicted," he said, "was
the alleged confession wrung out of him by police brutality. This
confession was made after the prisoner had been 'sweated' and
intimidated. One ear had been almost torn off, he had been
cuffed, kicked and trampled upon, and then, under the influence
of threats, he made his alleged confession."
NEWS THAT SON IS TO HANG BROKEN TO AGED WOMAN BY HER DAUGHTER AND
CAUSES COLLAPSE.
Sitting and staring with a blank look into space, at intervals
relieving the tension of her misery by low moans, and then again
ejaculating pitifully, "Oh, my boy! My poor, poor boy! Can I live
and know that you died upon the gallows?" Mrs. J. A. is now
hovering on the borderland of life at the home of her daughter in
Denver.
It was not until noon yesterday that Mrs. A. was told that the
pardons board had refused to grant her son, N. A., a commutation
of sentence from death to life imprisonment. Up to that moment
when the terrible knowledge became hers she had a mother's hope
that the pardons board must save her boy. From the moment she
heard from her daughter's lips that the son and brother must die,
Mrs. A. has been verging upon a semi-comatose condition, and
under the constant care of a physician.
She was illy prepared to hear the news yesterday, for she had
spent the night previous without closing her eyes in sleep. It
was not until 5 o'clock that slumber came to her mercifully, and
even then she merely slept in a fitful doze until 8 o'clock.
SUPPRESSED EMOTION.
The serious phase of Mrs. A.'s condition, her physician regards,
is that with her it is all suppressed emotion. She does not cry
out or rave, but endures her intense suffering in quiet. It is
but seldom that tears come to her relief, and the only vent her
emotion has is in her low moans for her "poor boy."
After the news was broken to her, Mrs. A. spent most of the day
in bed. Late last night she was still in the same condition, and
the gravest anxiety is felt by her relatives.
Mrs. A. is 70 years old. She lives in Buffalo, N. Y., and made
the long trip of 1,500 miles to personally plead with the State
Board of Pardons for the life of her son.
TO TEST GALLOWS.
Warden C. will today test the automatic scaffold upon which N. A.
and F. A. will be executed next week. He will see that
everything about the device is in perfect order and will make a
final test just prior to taking the first of the two to his
death. The execution house, where the men will be confined until
the final summons, is 28x30 feet. It contains three condemned
cells and across the hall from these are two large rooms. In the
center of one is a large iron plate and on this the condemned is
asked to stand after the noose and cap have been adjusted. The
weight of the man causes the plate to drop about an inch. This
closes the circuit of a current connecting with a bucket of water
which stands on a shelf in a closet in an adjoining room. By a
magnet arrangement a plug in the bottom of the bucket is pulled
and the water begins to flow out. As soon as the vessel is empty
an automatic connection releases a catch holding a bag of sand on
the end of the noose.
The sand, being heavier than the man, falls, causing the body at
the other extremity of the rope to be jerked off the floor to the
height of three feet. The sandbag is in the room containing the
closet where the bucket is and the rope from the noose reaches
that room over a pulley and through a hole in the wall.
The condemned man does not see any of the details of the
execution when he enters the death cell. The iron plate in the
floor and the noose around his neck are the only parts he can
see. He does not hear the dropping of the water nor the working
of any of the mechanism.
The instant the man is jerked off his feet and suspended at the
end of the rope his neck is broken. The time intervening between
the pulling of the plug in the bucket and the falling of the sand
is usually about a minute. The suspense to the prisoner, however,
is not regarded as any more cruel than that experienced by a man
in the electrical chair or on the scaffold while he awaits the
fatal current or the springing of the trap.
The hanging apparatus was invented by a convict fifteen years
ago.--_News_, May 20.
As shown by foregoing letters these cases were continued till June 16.
Such is the suspense, sorrow of heart and grief through which many are
constantly passing in this world, all on account of sin. What are we
trying to do to lend a hand of relief?
Such, dear reader, are a few of the many, many cases of this class
with which I have had to do in these more than twenty years of
ministry to those that are bound. Some were hardened criminals, others
innocent of the crime for which they were condemned and others no more
guilty than thousands that the world honors. For all, Christ died; and
many others beside these I have mentioned have given evidence of
saving faith in the blood that is able to cleanse the deepest stain
that sin has made.
One case is just as near and dear to my mother heart as another and
yet how different in many respects are these condemned men--different
in their natural inclinations and unlike because of their different
circumstances in life. Among them are found the refined, the educated,
the gifted, the beautiful as well as the low, the ignorant, the
degraded. All must share the same fate. All are shown in the worst
possible light to a gaping, sensation-loving, curious world. Let us,
dear reader, take these cases home to our hearts as if they were our
very own and so learn to have that charity that suffereth long and is
kind. Even Moses and David took life, yet they were forgiven, and
Moses who in haste slew the Egyptian, became the prophet so
wonderfully used of God because of his meekness of spirit; and David
in his thankfulness declared, "This poor man cried and the Lord heard
him and delivered him out of all his troubles."