Pike County GaArchives News.....He Pays The Debt June 18 1897
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lynn Cunningham lcunnin1@bellsouth.net June 19, 2003, 9:52 pm

The Pike County Journal. Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia

Tom Delk Dies on the Gallows and the Law is Satisfied
The drop fell at 2:08 and Tom Delk was pronounced dead at 2:19

Today, upon a scaffold which has been erected in a meadow about 400 yards north 
of the jail, Tom Delk paid the penalty of death for the killing of Sheriff Gwyn 
on the 2nd day of April 1896.

A large crowd of curiosity-seers have been around the jail since 8 o’clock this 
morning to catch a glimpse of the noted young outlaw.

The Sheriff placed guards around the jail at an early hour this morning and 
only a few of Delk’s intimate friends and relatives were allowed to see him.

At 12:00 - Tom’s sister bade him goodbye. They wept as though their hearts were 
breaking. It was a touching scene and strong men broke down and cried like 
children.

Tom left the jail at 1:55 and was placed in a carriage and driven to the 
gallows.

Tom made a short statement on the gallows saying that bad company and whiskey 
was the cause of his downfall and asked all young people to let whiskey and bad 
company alone.

Tom was joined at the gallows by Rev. J.A. Wright, who has been a death watch 
at the jail for the past ten days. Mr. Wright led in a short prayer followed by 
Tom.

Delk said that he was ready and willing to go. While the black cap was being 
adjusted, his arms and hands being tied, he continued to talk, affirming that 
his sins had been forgiven.

The death trap was sprung at 2:08 and like a bullet he shot through seven feet 
of space into eternity.

In 1 minute his pulse were 140; in 2, 149; in 3, 145; in 4, 160; in 5, 130; in 
6, 128; in 7, 113; in 8, 105.

By this time the pulse had ceased to beat and Drs. Head and Hogg pronounced 
Delk dead. The body was cut down at 2:24 and turned over to undertaker Howell 
to prepare for burial.

The black cap was removed and the body was placed in a neat coffin. The remains 
will be sent to his aged mother in Atlanta for burial.

Tom Delk was one of the most nervy men that ever died on a gallows.

During Tom’s stay in the Zebulon jail the past ten days he has been visited by 
the pastors and good ladies of the town. Quite a change has been brought about 
in his condition and he has often led in prayer. He said that he believed that 
his sins has been forgiven and that he was ready and willing to go.

Delk awoke this morning at a very early hour feeling badly. He chatted very 
pleasantly, however, until breakfast time when he asked for a toddy, which was 
furnished by the sheriff. Delk drank the toddy with apparent relish.

He ate breakfast at about 6 o’clock after which he was shaved. He took a bath 
and dressed in a new suit of clothes, ready to meet his friends.

He answered letters to his sweethearts, mother and father.

(Transcribed 06/19/03 Lynn Cunningham)

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Reference to:
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