"Ed Powell and Jim Leper were hung in the jail yard yesterday afternoon." (Image by Robert Runyon.)

Scenes from a double execution in Texas from the September 30, 1891 Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

“Gatesville, Tex.–Ed Powell and Jim Leper were hung in the jail yard yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock. When the sheriff read the governor’s message to let the law take its course, Powell was silent, but Leper said, ‘Let her go.’

Mrs. Powell, young Powell’s mother, who left no stone unturned to secure a change in the sentence, hearing of the message became enraged and told the boys to die like men and pay no attention to religion; if there was a God, he was unjust.

Leper never lost his disposition to joke. He broke into a laugh when taking his seat on the platform. Both men spoke, protesting their innocence, saying they were not afraid to die, stopping at intervals to smoke.

Rev. John Bateman, a minister of Waco, said: ‘Let us pray,’ and the sheriff, prisoners and all on the plaform knelt in prayer. On rising to their feet, Powell said: ‘One thing I forgot. I feel my sins are forgiven, and I will go to heaven. I wish all of you wealth, health and prosperity, and after death may you go to heaven.’

Both men died with scarcely a struggle. Powell and Leper were hanged for the murder of John T. Mathiason, December, 1880, for the purpose of robbery. Powell’s mother is wealthy.”