Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1885 — THE DEATH PENALTY. [ARTICLE]

THE DEATH PENALTY.

William Neal, the Notorious Ashland (Ky.) Murderer, Hanged. [Grayson (Ky.) special.] Last evening, Neal, the last of the Ashland mui&erers, was brought from Mount Sterling by a Sheriff and a posse of seven men armed with shotguns, efforts to procure evidence of his innocence having proved abortive. An immense crowd witnessed the departure, and at each station people congregated to see him. To all questioners he protested his innocence. Ar - riving here he was conducted to the jail, and asked for eggs and bacon for supper, breakfast, and dinner. When asked if he wanted a minister, he replied it would do no good. He was visited during the night until 10:30 by newspaper reportersand others. He reiterated his innocence to all, and declared that be had had no fair trial. The prisoner retired about 1 a,m. and slept three or four hours. After breakfast he received visitors, among them two ministers, who condn&ed religious exercises, Neal joining. The death warrant was read at 10:20. The prisoner was driven to the scaffold, which was erected in a field between hills, from which thousands saw the hanging. Neal ascended the, scaffold with great composure. He said: “I say to one and all, you all know this is no place to.tell a lie. I have here to-day to suffer for a heinous crime I did not commit. At one day my innocence will be established beyond a doubt. I bid you one and all goodby. O Lord, Thou knowest T am innocent. Into Thy hands I commit my soul. I am innocent.” The last words were said just as the drop fell. He was pronounced dead in ten minutes. None of his relatives were present