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DENTON RECORD-CHRON! CL E, SATURDAY. FEBFACE FOURhouse on a eertiitn night, nnd was told(bat bp wouKl there be initiated into the order. Ho wont, met some of thegang and was carried through some kind of a ntaek initiation. Another night was app*fnted to complete the ceremony, but ho was told that for fear they might be indicted for con -s pi racy they always conferred the last degree on the bank of Red River in the Indian nation, some eight or ten miles distant. He was to meet them again at the school house and ride sifter dark to the river with them. At the appointed time (a warm summernight) he went with them; all seemedpleasant and with jokes and songs they rode on towards the fatal spot, seemingly n band of friends and brothers. When they reached the river they stopped on the Texas side, and dismounting, sat down on a sand bar to rest awhile. Batchelor, in high good humor, was half reclining on ids elbow when the fatal moment arrived. At the secret signal, one of the gang shot him through the back of the neck, killing him instantly. His head was cut off and his lndy# thrown into the river. Many days after, the head wasfound as the hogs were rooting it around, and that was tie* end of poor gay young Freeman Batchelor.It being known that the condemned men had a huge number of relatives, friends and brother vigilantes in andabout Montague Bounty, who might attempt to rescue them, the town of Denton was strongly and vigilantlyguarded for about a week. Fit teens have kept firearms ready at hand and a strong detachment of citizen patrol* have been on duty throughout and around the town. Monday night a party of unknown men were prowlingabout the town, and in walking across the square they were halted by the patrols. They did not heed the command to halt, but fired on the guard, got on their horses and disappeared. The Jail was securely guarded day and night and a small arsenal was formed inside to prevent any “foolishness, as it was called by one of the patrols.Jailor Bates and, his sou JUiwetq bin assistant, have been Very vigilant, firm and careful, and it. would have taken some desperate and active work on the part of the vigilantes or any one else to rescue the prisoner. Up to Friday morning, I tie prisoner*, it is believed, had a faint hope that there was stillsome chance for them—that theirfriends would come to their rescue, forthat was the only basis of hope. Theirattorney, Marshall Fulton, ret timedfrom Austin Saturday night, and re ceiven a communication from tin* Governor Monday night that he refusedto interfere in the matter, so there was110 hope of reprieve from that time forward. No demonstrations to rescuethe prisoners were made, but the authorities attribute this fact to tin* ut most precaution used to meet the rescuers.Their father got there about tl o'clock. They met him with tears, and Andrew told him to hear up under it wth fortitude; that it was all right with him, but it was unjust; he was more than willing to die. Andrew then requested a private conference with his father, which was granted, and they were together ever an hour. George began weeping bitterly at Io’clock, and continued to do s«. up to the time he was taken out of the jail.George said tic had taken an oath not to reveal the secrets of the Vigt lance Committee, and while he did not feel that he had to answer for thekilling of McLain or any other inurder, he knew who had committed themurders, and Andy had revealed the names to the proper parties. He didnot want anyone put to death, burthought the law ought to take itseou rse.George requested that their coffins he Covered with white, which whhgranted.George had made a confession m tin* Itev. Mr. Grafton, who did not feel at liberty to reveal it.At a few minutes to 1 o'clock the Uov, Mr. Grafton and several ladies visited the doomed men, and afterNEWSPAPER CARRIEStalking awhile George requested thatthev sing “I am Coming to the Cross, started by George, who Joined in the singing. Andrew stood by, smoking acigar, paying little attention to the exercises. Ho you realize that Jesus has saved you now?*1 asked the minister. “Ye*, sir,’1 answered both, George continuing that he believed Jesus hidcleansed Ids gins away. A long prayer was then offered, and “How I Love Jesus’* was sung,Both professed religion, when askedif they had anything to say. Then ‘ i hen Sweet Byq and Bye was sung, when alt shook hands with them andpassed out at 1:10.At 1 :30 they were taken out of their cell# and wept on their old fathersneck, Andrew Saying, “Father, i fed prepared to go and I want you to bo prepared to meet us.At 1 they ascended the scaffold,with Deputies Herrin, Dean, of Dallas Bounty; Fates, Edwards and Kendall, their father and Rev. Mr. Grafton. Theprisoners requested that the congregation sing “There’s a Light in theValley/' It couldn't he started, so“Jesus, I,over of My Soul, was sung, George joining ir» the singing. George repeated the request and “Light in the Valley* was sung. George sang a f. w words alone, no one joining untilthe second verse wheu a few voicesjoined in. Andrew gtood meditating,with his hands in his pockets. A youngman in the audien mad* in attemptat the ftong, but made poor success, and some one else tried to carry the tune in a different key; Georg* stopping,George spoke on tlie drop and said: “Gentlemen and ladies, I have taken my place over the trap. I will depart in this position, I hate to depart inthis way. Thin corrupt world is greater than thought. I hate to part with my father and mother, ami the ladle* that have been so kind. 1 feel like meeting you all in the other world, i hold no malice against anyone in this world. I think from gospel facts that(Continued on Page Six)DOUBLE EXECUTIONDENTONThe history of Dodge Brothers drastic price reductions is simple and brief.A better and better product followed by greater and greater demand.To meet that demand, an expansion of buildings and equipment involving an expenditure of more than $10,000,000.Output vastly increased, with consequent reduction in \\\ \W\\W \ \ \
Newspaper Details
Denton Record Chronicle
Denton, Texas, US
Sat, Feb 13, 1926
Page 13
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 27 Feb 2023
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