LETTERS: A DIFFERENT KIND OF MENU FOR LAST MEAL

To the editor:

After reading "Last meals vary according to appetite" by Tom Harte, it appears what I once thought to be uncommon and bizarre is not all that uncommon. I still find it really bizarre.

For three years I have kept in my desk drawer an article I clipped from the July 31, 1996, Southeast Missourian. The Associated Press article was titled, "Convicted killer Nave slated for execution. Nave, 55, was paroled from the Missouri State Penitentiary in March 1983 after serving approximately 25 years of two life sentences. Eight months after he was released, Nave pumped 10 bullets into his Jefferson City landlady and abducted and sexually assaulted four hospital workers.

The reason I kept the article was a paragraph which described his last-meal request. For his last meal, Nave requested a 12-ounce T-bone steak, baked potato, onion rings, cottage cheese and fruit, coconut cream pie and a chocolate shake.

After reading this, I pondered how a 55-year-old man who has spent 25 years of his life in prison and who was about to be executed could even think about what he wanted for his last meal. How could this man, who knew he had only hours to live, have such an appetite?

Thanks to Harte and his article -- which, by the way, I really enjoyed -- I discovered condemned criminals who eat a "Harte" meal are actually quite common. Even some of our local celebrities were asked to consider what their last meals might be. Had I been asked, I would most likely have said, "A bowl of forgiveness and a plate of grace." And for dessert? "Eternal life in heaven would be good."

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau