"I Have Had My Fun"

In the Cook County jail one day last week, Ernie Gaither, 23, a Negro who had killed a man in a holdup, laboriously began to write:

"I am here . . . with only six days to live before I go to the electric chair. . . .

"I never have worked in my life. I preferred boxing because I thought I was tough. ... I was one of the best fighters in my class at one time, but how do you think I got my money? I didn't get all of it from boxing. I was a stickup man that's what I was at the age of 16. I was boss of a gang, I mean I was the head of some tough guys."

Rogues' Gallery. "It was eight of us the names is Earl Parks, who was known as Smiley because he would kill you with a smile on his face. The others: Herbert Liggins, known as" Hopalong because he was crippled; Charles Jones, known as Pretty Boy because he was a nice looking guy. Charles Hill was known as Colorado Kid. William Lee was known as Wild Bill. Clyde Bradford was known as Blue because he was so dark. Percy Bellmar was known as the Wheeler because he was a good driver. He really was my number one wheeler.

"I was known as 'Little Gaither the Money Waster and Woman Chaser.' I thought I was a big shot. Two or three grands on me at all times.

"All the guys I name they are in prison, all but one, he went to the chair. His name was Earl Parks. I even went to prison myself ... for the Jackson Park murder in 1940. . . . I got out in June '46. It looks as if that sure have been a lessing to me don't it. But it wasn't. . .

"Well, I have had my fun. But the end of my life is about here. So boys Please don't do as I have did. Do as I say."

Fools' Bravery. "You are not tough when you gut a gun in a man's face and take what he has worked hard for. It don't take guts to do that. Any fool can put a gun in his hand and do wrong. But it takes a man with guts to get a job and work for what he wants. . . .

"It feel funny for me to talk this way but it is the truth."

The day after Ernie's letter was given to the newspapers by Warden Frank Sain, Cook County's Assistant Public Defender asked Governor Dwight Green for a stay of execution so that a clemency petition could be prepared. A six weeks' stay was granted. Said Ernie: "If I could stand in front of Governor Green and tell him what's in my heart, maybe he can give me a chance to live and spread the word."

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