Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 1877 — A Cool Culprit. [ARTICLE]

A Cool Culprit.

Jules Guidry, a white man, was hung recently at Lake Charles, La., for the murder, in 1875, of James Beale. Guidry mounted the gallows with a firm step. He then turned to a friend and said, “I am firm.” To the Sheriff he said, “ The fall will not be enough. I want a real breakneck fall, about ten feet,” upon which the Sheriff lengthened the rope, which did not seem to satisfy the hardened culprit. Guidry now took the rope in his hands and examined the noose and tried if it would work easily, and said, “I don’t care to die,” and laughed daringly. The Sheriff began to pinion his arms, when he talked very loudly, saying, “I don’t care to die. I am a man. Friends, lam about to die for a crime which I do not regret. I would do it again. I don’t care. lam a man.” The rope was adjusted about his neck, and the black cap drawn over his face, when he exclaimed derisively, “I can see through it. ” The Sheriff drew the noose closely around his neck, and he exclaimed, “ That is too tight; put the knot on the side of the neck.” Before the cap -was put on he bade adieu to his friends and the priest, and said to the crowd, “God bless you all; I don’t care to die.” Then looking at the Sheriff he said, “ I can sec you. You are going to cut the rope.” A second more and the ax severed the rope, the drop fell, and Guidry died without a struggle.