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As reported in the Oxford Eagle, January 23, 1902
Before his trial and conviction, Will Mathis dictated
letters to a New Orleans Picayune reporter, which lie desired to leave
to his parents and son. The writer was requested to leave out all provlucialisms
of speech and "to write it nice," and the request was complied
with.
To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Mathis:
"My Dear Father and Mother: I want you to know
how sorry I am that I have given you so much trouble. I know that
I have broken your hearts, but the cause of my going wrong was not
because you did not do your duty in bringing me up. You both did all
you could to make me a good man, and after I got to drinking and got
on the downward track, you both did all you could to get me to lead
a better life. I don’t want either of you to blame yourselves
for what I have done and what you couldn’t help. If you live
until my boy is old enough, I want you to warn him against drinking
wine or whisky. They lead to all other sins and have brought me where
I am. I have been reading my Bible and trying to make peace with God.
I hope my sisters will be the comfort to you in your old age that
I ought to have been, and repay your love better than I have done.
Forgive me, if you can, for bringing you so much trouble.
Your son,
WILL MATHIS.
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