viction, his attorney sought for a commtation of sentence at the
State Board of Pardons and sought to prove there that his client was
insane but the Board unanimously refused to recommend clemency.
Alexander spent his last few weeks in ernest religious exercises be-
fore his execution which took place in the jail yard of the Duval Coun
ty Jail at 10:07 AM on the morning of May 3, 1912, Harlier that week,
he had. written a letter to the Sheriff in which he requested that the
execution be as private as possible and this wish was respected, He
went to his death calmly, remarking on the way to the scaffold "I know
that I am mighty happy." After he maghted the scaffold, he commenteds
"T am might sorry I did it," and after the black cap was drawn over
his face, he said: “You. will let me give the signal, won't you," When
he received an affirmative anawer, he spoke his last words: "I didn't
want to die before I knew it,"
FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, Jacksonville, Fla., August , August 5, 1911;
March 21, 19123 May 3, 1912; May 4, 1912, (Photograph on page 17,
issue of May 3, 1912.)
viction, his attorney sought for a commtation of sentence at the
State Board of Pardons and sought te prove there that his client was
insane but the Board unanimously refused to recommend clemency.
Alexander spent his last few weeks in eznest religious exercises be-
fore his execution which took place in the jail yard of the Duval Coun4
ty Jail at 10:07 AM on the morning of May 3, 1912, Earlier that week,
he had. written a letter to the Sheriff in which he requested that the
execution be as private as possible and this wish was respected, He
went to his death calmly, remarking on the way to the scaffold "I know
that I am mighty happy." After he mbghted the scaffold, he commented:
"T am might sorry I did it," and after the black cap was drawn over
his face, he said: "You. will let me give the signal, won't you," When
he received an affirmative answer, he spoke his last words: "I didn't
want to die before I knew it."
FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, Jacksonville, Fla,, August 4, August 5, 1911;
March 21, 1912; May 3, 19123; May h, 1912. (Photograph on page 17,
issue of May 3, 1912.) d
viction, his attorney sought for a commtation of sentence at the
State Board of Pardons and sought to prove there that his client was
insane but the Board unanimously refused to recommend clemency.
Alexander spent his last few weeks in eznest religious exercises be-
fore his execution which took place in the jail yard of the Duval Coun.
ty Jail at 10:07 AM on the morning of May 3, 1912, Earlier that week,
he had written a letter to the Sheriff in which he requested that the
execution be as private as possible and this wish was respected, He
went to his death calmly, remarking on the way to the scaffold "I know
that I am mighty happy," After he maghted the scaffold, he commented:
"I am might sorry I did it,” and after the black cap was drawn over
his face, he said: *You.will let me give the signal, won't you,"
he received an affirmative anawer, he spoke his last words: "I didn't
want to die before I knew it.”
FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, Jacksonville, Fla., August L, August 5, 19115
March 21, 19123 May 3, 19125 May h, 1912, (Photograph on page 17,
issue of May 3, 1912)
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ALEXANDER, William
Alexander, a 2h-year-old white native of Macon, Ga., had moved to
Jacksonville, Fla., with his 20-year-old wife early in 1911. While in
Jacksonville, he engaged in several different lines of work as a la-
borer, Around 11 o'clock tn the morning of August 3, 1911, he was in
a saloon on the corner of Bridge and Adams St, with two friends. Seat-
ed at another table with one of his friends was dack Sumner, a house
painter, against whom Alexander held a real or imaginary grudge and
Alexander commented to his friends that he was temtped to "knock Sum-
ner's block off," He then left the saloon, stating that he was going
to secure a weapon with which to attack Sumner, One of his friends
moved over to Sumner's table and they were engaged in conversation
when Alexander returned, approached Sumner from the rear and, grabbing
his hair and pulling his head back, proceeded to cut his throat from
ear-to-ear with such savagery that Sumner was instantly killed and his
head:practically severed from his body, Alexander then fled with a
witness giving pursuit. The witness hailed a policeman, and Alexander
was captured and taken to the county jail where he was placed in a cell
in a state of collapse, unable to stand on his own feet and mumbling
incoherently, At his trial, his defense was one of insanity but he
was convicted and sentenced to die, Shortly afterwards, his young
wife committed suicide, Even though there was no appeal of the con-
ALEXANDER, William
Alexander, a 2h-year-old white native of Macon, Gas, had moved to
Jacksonville, Fla., with his 20-year-old wife early in 1911. While in
Jacksonville, he engaged in several different lines of work as a la-
borer. Around 11 o'clock tin the morning of August 3, 1911, he was in
a saloon on the corner of Bridge and Adams St. with two friends. Seat-|
ed at another table with one of his friends was dack Sumner, a house
painter, against whom Alexander held a real or imaginary grudge and
Alexander commented to his friends that he was temtped to "knock Sum-
ner's block off," He then left the saloon, stating that he was going
to secure a weapon with which to attack Sumner, One of his friends
moved over to Sumner's table and they were engaged in conversation
when Alexander returned, approached Sumner from the rear and, grabbing
his hair and pulling his head back, proceeded to cut his throat from
ear-to-ear with such savagery that Sumer was instantly killed and his
head:practically severed from his body, Alexander then fled with a
witness giving pursuit. The witness hailed a policeman and Alexander
was captured and taken to the county jail where he was placed in a cell
in a state of collapse, unable to stand on his own feet and mumbling
incoherently, At his trial, his defense was one of insanity but he
was convicted and sentenced to die, Shortly afterwards, his young
wife conmitted suicide, Even though there was no appeal of the con~-
ALEXANDER, William
Alexander, a 2h-year-old white native of Macon, Ga., had moved to
Jacksonville, Fla,, with his 20-year-old wife early in 1911, While in
Jacksonville, he engaged in several different lines of work as a la~
borer. Around 11 o'clock an the morning of August 3, 1911, he was in
a saloon on the corner of Bridge and Adams St, with two friends, Seat-
ed at another table with one of his friends was dack Sumner, a house
painter, against whom Alexander held a real or imaginary grudge and
Alexander commented to his friends that he was temtped to "knock Sum—
ner's block off," He then left the saloon, stating that he was going
to secure a weapon with which to attack Sumner, One of his friends
moved over to Summer's table and they were engaged in conversation
when Alexander returned, approached Sumner from the rear and, grabbing
his hair and pulling his head back, proceeded to cut his throat from
ear-to-ear with such savagery that Sumner was instantly killed and his
head practically severed from-his body, Alexander then fled with a
witness giving pursuit. The witness hailed a policeman and Alexander
= captured and taken to the cae jail where he was placed in a cell
in a state of collapse, unable to stand on his own feet and murbling
Gfosheremtiy, “at his rial, Bis defense wos ons of insanity but he
was convicted and sentenced to die, Shortly afterwards, h: a
wife committed suicides Even though there was no appeal of the con-
