The Note

At 11:00 A.M. on the morning of 11 October 1879 William “Bloody Bill” Preston Langley was handcuffed for the final time. A dozen armed law officers escorted him from his cell to the gallows.

This was not the first hanging in Giddings. As in most Western towns, hangings brought people together. They were meant to be viewed. Giddings had constructed their gallows on a small hill at the outskirts of town. It seemed the entire town and probably surrounding towns had gathered in the street to watch his hanging.  

Not that he deserved one, but Langley hoped for a quick hanging and a quick death. If one was to die, that was the way to go. At least, all thirty-two of his victims died quickly. He was ready.

But his death would be slow and painful.

The noose was placed around Langley’s neck. When asked if had any final words, he said “I deserve this fate. Goodbye everybody!”

The trap door opened, but the rope slipped on the beam and the outlaw’s feet hit the ground. Langley had escaped his second hanging. The crowd booed at the botched hanging.

The sheriff and some of his deputies quickly hoisted Langley up so the hangman could properly refasten the rope. Once done, they stepped back and let the outlaw’s own weight properly suspend him from it.

As he hung gasping for the last of his air, he saw Lizzy in the crowd. For one last brief moment, for that was all he had left, Langley remembered the first time he saw her in Cheyenne.

It was in front of the Cheyenne Bank that their eyes first met. At that moment time seemed to stand still. Lizzy had no fear when their eyes met, and his own anger disappeared.  

“My name is Elizabeth Mary Smith.”, he recalled. “But call me Lizzy. Everyone else does.”

“Miss Smith, my name is Bill, Bill Langley. When I saw you back there, you looked like someone willing to help a stranger.”    

This time though, when their eyes met, he saw forgiveness in them. He knew it was forgiveness. The tears rolling down her cheeks told him so.

His neck finally stretched until it snapped, and it was over.

……………………………………………

When they cleared his bunk, the deputies found Lizzie’s Bible. The one she left for him when she brought his food. And a note. The note, perhaps, explains best the life of the gunfighter known as “Wild Bill” Langley.

Lizzy, I’m sorry.

Cheyenne changed my life. Until then I was runnin with the Devil at my side. Then I saw you. You convinced me to put the Devil behind me and have faith in God. You and I were gonna live happily ever after.

This is NOT your fault.

I never gave up lovin you.

But I could not escape my reputation. Without you, the devil had too much control of me.

I’m sorry I disappointed you.

I told the boy about us. I hope you are somehow able to protect him from my past.  I am sorry! It is up to you to bring him up right. This is not the life I wish for anyone. Raise him up like your father. He is a good man. I’m sure he told you I came to see you to try to fix things, but the devil wouldn’t stand for it.

My time has come. I will be paying for my crimes. I deserve the payment. I regret I was not strong enough for you.

When my time comes, you will be my last thought.

Thank you Lizzy

Bill