Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 6
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, April 10, 1902
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THE DOOMED MAN TALKS.
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Declared His Innocence--And Felt Assured
he would Find Peace Beyond.

       TO A DEMOCRAT reporter who called at the jail, John Roan made the following statement:  I am 22 years old.  I was raised on the Jones farm in this county and am the second son of Allen and Matilda Roan, both of whom are living.  There are three boys and three girls of us.  I have never been in jail before this  time.  I have never been to school a day in my life and cannot read or write.  I know that I have got to die and I am not  guilty of what I am here for.  I know that anything I would say would not do any good now.  It would be of no use.  I am not guilty.  If I was I would say o.
       "I have made peace with my maker and and (sic) I am ready to die.
I have been a member of the Pleasant street Baptist church for six years and I have been praying ever since I was put in here.  I am going to Heaven.  I have no doubt about it.
       "I have been treated kindly since I have been in jail and I wish to thank the sheriff and his men and Mr. Morris for their treatment."
       When asked if there was anything else he wished to say in the DEMOCRAT, John said, "that is all."

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas