The Press: The Death House Beat

The condemned man was expecting the visitor. Slumped on a bunk in his cell. Milton Williams, 28,. looked up last week at the friendly, shirtsleeved man with a cigar fixed in one corner of his mouth, and talked of the coming execution. As always, Editor Don Reid. 52, of Texas' weekly Huntsville Item (circ. 2,050), listened sympathetically, but nonetheless prodded gently until he got a last-hours quote: "I believe in the Lord. I'm going through that door believing in him." Then Editor Reid advised the convicted rapist: "Don't worry too much. Milton. It won't be long now. I'll see you tonight."

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