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Trails of Our Past To the Gallows At the hanging on March 26, 1869, Rev. W. P. Petty was with
Blackmore and Thompson on the scaffold and read the dying declarations of each,
which were as follows: The last words of John Thomson: “I am to die to-day, and my
sentence is just. I desire to live, for life is sweet; and I can’t say I am
afraid to die, but I am not willing
to die. As I pass off before you, however, and join the uncounted company
beyond the flood, I desire to administer a warning to the young men of my
country, that they may turn to good account. I have lived long enough to attest from my own experience
that a man’s circumstances are inexorable, and that they make him what he is.
No man is independent of the company he keeps; he may vainly think so, but
before he is aware of it, that company, be it good or bad, has molded him into
its own image. Young men, these words issuing from the trembling lips of a
dying man are worthy of earnest attention! While yet a boy I mingled in bad
company, and I can see now, too late
to improve the lesson it brings however, that my mind and morals took on a
bias, that like the hand of unyielding destiny has left me to this sad and
solemn hour of my profitless history. I played at cards and soon was led into
gambling. I took the social glass with my friends, but soon I detected the
presence of a fondness for the exhilarating stimulant. It grew into a habit
with me, and not unfriendly, I was beastly and wildly intoxicated. I was an habitual
and persistent Sabbath breaker; and often without the knowledge or consent of
my parents, would steal off from home to play at cards or fish on Sundays. I
have lived a wild and wicked life. While the war was going on, I was with a
very wicked company, and I did many things along with my comrades, that I ought
not have done. After the war was concluded by a peace, I went back to my home
in Missouri, but I was pursued and driven away from home; from political
differences and private prejudices, I could not live there in peace. I then
came to Texas-thinking I would make this State my home; but not long
afterwards, I went back to Missouri, but I could not stay. Last fall I returned
to Texas and felt almost desperate. I had been to your State but a short time
when I aided in the commission of the crime for which I am presently to suffer
and die. I am deeply sorry I did it, but I can’t undo it now. As to Mrs.
Mallow, with whom I was boarding, she is a good woman, and entirely innocent of
any connection with our crime. I thought for awhile that I was safe in the
wickedness I had done- that no one would accuse me of doing the deed: but
somehow the eve of God seemed to be upon me and my sin has found me out. I do
believe that a man’s sins, sooner or later, bloodhound-like, will scent him up
and hunt him down. I have been running in sin a long time, but it has overtaken
me at last. And now young men, as I turn away from you to die, let me beseech you to avoid drinking and gambling, the sins which first started me down the hill of crime amid the shadows whose base I must surrender the life I am unworthy to keep. I hope none of you will feel bitter towards me when I am gone. To give up the life I have forfeited is the highest price I could pay for my sins; and as the promised flowers of a coming spring shall presently bloom over my sleeping form, as the perfume-laden breezes are to sing my only lullaby, as I can’t now brush the tears from the cheeks of the window and orphans whom I have helped to deprive-the one of a husband and the other of a father, and as I would live better if my life could be spared,-I pray you do not send your personal hatreds into the grave after me. My friends, a kind but long farewell!” John Thompson
The last words of William O. Blackmore: “I confess I was
concerned in the murder of the man, for which I am the truly sorry, and I know
it is but just that I should die. But before I do
die, I want to say a few words to the young men of my country as a warning to
them. In my childhood my parents taught me my duty to God and man. They didn’t
even allow me to play marbles on Sunday. I was a good boy up to my fifteenth
year, when I went into the Confederate army (about 1864, when his name appears
on a list as a follower of Frank James to join Bloody Bill Anderson).
Unfortunately for me, I went into a company of very wicked men; they were my
companions, and step by step I imitated their example, my conscience often
checking me, until I committed the crime that brought me here. Young men if you
keep wicked profane, drinking, gambling, company, you will certainly rush to
ruin too. The difference between you and me is-you are looking forward upon life, and I am looking backward upon it. I can see danger where
some of you do not see it, and with my last breath I warn you to keep good
company or none! I understand that some people have, in some way, accused
Mrs. Mallow of knowing something about the crime we have committed or some of
the money not yet reported; and I feel it my duty to say that both charges are
wholly false; she knew nothing of the whole thing, neither have we given her
any of the money received. She is a good woman. I wanted also to tell you, that though I shall soon leave
you, I believe God has forgiven me and I have a hope of soon being at rest. I
have no unkind feelings towards anyone; and in my heart I forgive all who have
been unkind to me. I am sorry that I can’t live, that I might undo some things
I have done; but I am not afraid to die. I believe death will only be the gate
to my beautiful and happy home. I trust you will not feel vengeful towards me
when I am gone. I have some friends who have already gone to the beautiful home
of the angels, and I trust through the boundless mercy of God, that I soon
shall join them. My precious mother still lives. I know this sad news will
nearly break her heart; but may God sustain and comfort her. And now my friends, my time is come and I waive you the
kindest farewell!” William O. Blackmore And so ended the great hanging at Sherman, the first legal
hanging in the city. Both Blackmore and Thompson’s names were used by Unionist
afterwards to strike fear in individuals and to try and better enforce the law
throughout Texas and the surrounding area. There was even a mention of Thompson
and Blackmore and their execution in Sherman in the New York Herald on April
17, 1869. It is not known entirely where the two men’s remains were interred,
however Blackmore’s letters to his mother and his half-brother, Mr. Litton,
were also published in the paper. In the letter to his brother he states:
“Uncle Will Blackmore was to see me last week, he is in a great deal of trouble
about me; he is a helpless man. I made him a gift of what I had left, as he
needed it worse than anybody else.” He goes on to say that, “My remains will be
taken to Uncle Will Blackmore’s and buried. I want you to come and get my
remains and bury them in the Liberty graveyard, if it is in your power.” There
was a William Blackmore from Tennessee who lived near Sadler in 1870. He has a
wife and son known to be buried in Sadler Cemetery.    Felony Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |