Frank A. Conner |
| Posted 2019-01-20 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, September 22, 1939, page 1, column 4 Conner Pays Up With Life Frank Conner, 22 year old negro ex-soldier, was executed early today in the state's lethal gas chamber. The negro youth, who received the holy sacrament at 4:55 a.m., entered the gas chamber with the Rev. P. J. Murphy of Casa Grande. The father exited at 5 a.m. as the fatal cyanide gas began to enter the chamber. Conner's eyes, appealingly, wandered to the chamber's small window where Father Murphy watched his demise. A few short whiffs of the gas and he lapsed into unconsciousness. Peace officers who had come to witness walked slowly from the scene, their only comments being 'the guy certainly had what it takes.' Yesterday Conner heard from Warden Gene Shute that his last legal effort to escape the death sentence had been exhausted by the state board of pardons and paroles. His mother, Mrs. E. M. Campbell, of Prescott, visited him yesterday. Her smiling welcome and good-bye caused Warden Gene Shute to comment of her 'remarkable fortitude. Last night two other negro convicts were the dinner guests of Conner. The meal included fried oysters, filet of sole, ice cream and cake. Then after hours of religious solace with Father Murphy, Conner was called to the gas chamber by Warden Shute's guards. Entering the room, adjacent to the execution chamber, Father Murphy administered the last sacrament. Then Conner paid his respects to the guards and to Warden Shute for their kindnesses. In a few minutes it was all over. Conner killed Tracy Bird of Nogales in an attempted holdup last October 16. He admitted the crime, but contended he was crazed with liquor and marihuana (sic). Transcriber's note: Mr. Conner is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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