The Hanging of Tom Willison
by Jonnie Miller
October 22, 1909, found Earl Hines outside the Newton County jail on the county courthouse square. His plan was to witness the hanging of the murderer of Newton County Attorney Alf Nex which was to take place inside the jailhouse where there was a second floor trapdoor built just for hanging. Earl planned to watch from his front row seat, clinging to the window bars but at the last minute he relinquished his spot to someone else. He and his friends had spent days watching as the hanging rope was stretched with a heavy bag of sand to test the trapdoor.
The trial had been held on September 18, 1909. Tom was defended by John B. Forse and T. H. Casey. Mr. Nix was a native of Woodville, Texas and it was reported that his death was intricately linked to his efforts to bring law, order and justice to Newton County in his position. He had accompanied sheriff's deputies to the old "Convict Turpentine Camp" north of Burkeville. It was known to be a gambling shack and Mr. Nix was killed during the raid. Willson was the lookout, and as the raid took place he shot and killed Mr. Nix. He died instantly.
At trial Mr. Willison pleaded guilty even knowing it mean the possibility of the death penalty. The judge, W. B. Powell, judge of the First Judicial District of Texas, admonished him that a guilty plea could bring the death penalty. However, he persisted in his plea. Before his execution he spoke briefly to the crowd. He cautioned all who were present "to live a clean life and not engage in sins of gambling, drinking and other things." His final words were "Don't be lack (like) me."
Hines, while he did not watch the hanging, did climb up on the bars and see the victim as he still hung from the end of the rope with a hood over his head. Earl Hines, a youngster then, retained that image throughout his life.
Matlock Mattox was the sheriff and executioner at the time of the hanging and it was he who cut down the prisoner. He cut the rope into 6" or 8" pieces and threw them out to the crowd. Earl got a piece and took it home, much to his mother's horror.
Mr. Nix, a young man, was killed on the 12th of September, 1909. Tom Willison, twenty-three years old, was executed October 22, 1909. This was the only hanging known to take place inside the Newton County jail.