YOUNG LEONARD
Goes to the Convict Camp to Begin His Life Sentence
The Pathetic Parting in the County Jail Yesterday—
The Condemned Father of the Young Man Gave Him a Parting Injunction in Regard to Obedience to Those in Authority at the Camps—Mrs. Rawlings Knew of the Plot to Kill Carter and Wife When She Heard of It.
There was a pathetic separation in the county jail yesterday, the incident marking the beginning of the last chapter of the Rawlings case. Warden Jackson, from the Babcock convict camps, came after Leonard Rawlings, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary. The warden was not expected until Wednesday, and only a short time was given to the young man to bid his father and brothers, who are condemned to die, farewell. Mrs. Rawlings and her two daughters, Misses Leila and Lola, were present and happened to be at the county jail when the officer came for Leonard.
The parting between them and the young man was very touching, though the father and the other two brothers did not show the least sign of feeling. The elder Rawlings told the officer that Leonard was used to farm work and that he would do his work well if he is treated well. He asked the officer to treat the boy kindly and aid him as much as possible. He told Leonard to be good and obedient and exacted a promise of the young man that he would not try to escape under any circumstances. He told him that he would find prison life much easier if he would obey the rules and not give the authorities trouble. Leonard promised that he would be obedient and would do his work as well as he knew how to do it, no matter what task is assigned to him.
The officer from the camps assured the young man and his parents that he would be treated well but that he would be forced to obey the rules of the penitentiary.
Mrs. Rawlings at the Jail
Mrs. Rawlings and her daughters have been here two or three days, the mother trying to do something to save the life of her other two condemned sons. She has a petition in circulation among the people of the county asking for executive clemency for the boys. It is understood that quite a number of names have been signed to it, though most of the citizens prefer to sign a petition asking for a reprieve of thirteen days for the boys. It is believed by many that the boys would make a statement if they could be gotten from under the influence of their father, and this is the reason that many prefer to have their sentence suspended until after the old man is hanged.
At present, they are just as indifferent to their fate as can be, apparently, and they say nothing that throws any light upon the tragedy except that they are innocent, and no one believes that. If they would acknowledge their guilt and beg for mercy, many people would interest themselves on their behalf, feeling that they acted under the influence of their father in committing the crime.
In the jail a few days ago, Leonard Rawlings told the sheriff that on the Tuesday morning of the killing of the Carter children that he found his mother crying and when he asked her what was the matter, she told him that his father had a negro hid out in the field to kill old man Carter that night. According to Leonard’s story, his mother told him then that the family would be ruined.
Why She Did Not Tell
In the presence of Mrs. Rawlings yesterday, the sheriff asked Leonard if he would repeat that story, and he did so. Mrs. Rawlings said it was true and that the reason she had not told it before was because her husband threatened her life if she ever breathed it. He told her that he might be sent to the chain gang, but that if he returned in twenty-five years, he would kill her if she opened her mouth.
She said she found him (her husband) washing out a tin bucket and she asked him what he meant when he told her that he had carried the negro something to eat in it, and then told of the plot, which she had been afraid to reveal.
While they were talking, Rawlings took up the story and said it was true. He said that when he first told his wife of the plot “to get rid of Carter,” that she “took on so” that he was afraid she would tell it in court in case he was arraigned for it, and that was the reason he was so particular to warn her that he would have revenge upon her, even if he had to wait until a twenty-five-year sentence was served in the penitentiary.
This story, if true, shows how Rawlings dominated the members of his household when he was at home.
At the jail last night, Rawlings told his wife and daughters to be sure and come back on the day of the hanging, as he wanted them to be here. The mother and daughters were weeping the whole time that they were in the jail yesterday, and they seem to be the only members of the family who are very much stirred up over the action of the courts in condemning the father and two sons to death.