Richmond planet. [volume], November 16, 1889, Image 1

About Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938

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Si HSCl*.|HKTOTME I'l.ANKT
A UTI WKKKI.Y.
iOnb Ykak.
Six Months
Thkeb Momthh,
$1 r>o
.so
40
m
??ssssm
Richmond
JOB PRINT1N*
J. ^'^.a-BaafBJi OC ??*?-**
iKoMiTI.Y ANO NEATLY. HON***.
f" GE RS," 'l.^TTKIi'silKKTS, S
INVITATIONS, ETC.
SS iii 1-BBH-ltW.MIiWMi iiiii"S
VOL 6-NO 49
RICHMOND VIRGINIA SATURDAY NOVEMRKR 16 188.)
PRICE 5 GENTS
TBE l'l.4Kl-'1
SATURDAY,
Nov. IC 1SS0
SIMON AVA LEER
SAVED!
PLEADING FOR A LITE.
Governor Lee Commutes tho
Sentence.
EDIT03 MITCHELLS MIDNIGHT
? DRIVE.?
ji 1 Hfh ' L 2 Ji (J A .
4LAT1VE:
TRUTH Sr J! AM'Lit THAN Fl fl'ION
a 11%1-i-v nov.
Simon S. W.u.kkk. the 15 yea* ?>l?1
Colorsd hov did not hang. GeneraJ
Fit/.hugh Lee, Chief Executive of tilil
Virginia stood between bim rand
death, jinil saved him. lt Ls a long
story. Ii frill hs remembered that
Editor John Mitchell, Jr., upon wv
Lng Ln the daily papers a statement
that a 15 year okicolored bo*j charg.
?tl with TTJminnlassault upon a white
girl was to bs hanged ai Chostorfield
C. H.. Ya.. August 80, 1889, thought
it would be a shams upon the State,
n? disgrace to tbs comaBaOnwoalth i ?. >
allow ii child of thin ;ip' to hang.
Witta no knowli dgesave I lint tarnish?
ed by the newspapers, never having
seen tlu- hoy or hM parents* be had
tate papers made out andAugnsi 23d
left by tbs H. ft A. R. H. for Dagger's
teringa, Ya., which is near the Wost
Virginia line, found Governor Fitz
bugh Les, secured an order from bim
giving a reprieve of 80 days and on
che day before the execution was to
take place. Mr. Mitchell delivered the
reprieve to the Deputy sh.-riff at
Chesterfield C. ll.
0AL.LOWS.
Tin1 Kditor had traveled over odo
miles in this trip for a life. As tho
Governor was away from Richmond.
Walker's last chance aeemsd to lay
in a personal visit tt) the chief execu?
tive. Th?> account of this trip was
published in lin- I'i.ankt of Auirust
31st.
Mit<-li
"simon ? COFFIN.
Editor Mitchell examined the gal?
lows, which had been built, and
saw the coffin which Mr. B. ll. Frith
was just completing. Only s white
! remained.
"Iii da\ before the condemned
t?o} had lH*en measured for his
shroud Walker claimed then
and has always asserted his
innocence. He did not testify in his
f.
September
' !i Kditor
called ;it the Governor's
Ottiee, and requested another .'JO days
respite. He had ha i an informal
talk with the Governor who said
that if certain tacts could be estab?
lished he would not consider the roan
?urainst the hoy. Kditor Mitchell left
Iqi Petsrsbnrg, secured the mimes of
five witnesses and returned to Rich
mond.
Call ing at the Governor's Office, he
learned that t he (Governor had left
the city, the whereabouts Iuh private
secretary Mr. Mcleod refused to
divulge. In conversation with him
he formed the opinion that further
nctionon his part might prejudice l In?
cline, ho he decided to apparently
drop out and furnish the "sinews of
war" even though he bankrupted
himself in so doing. Re so announ?
ced it to tbs private secretary. He
had written to Mr. K. S. Robinson,
the white lawyer who had Originally
inted to defend \\ alker.
(-kMaeg over to Petersburg the I
walked six miles into Chesterfield
Comty with mud a shoe deep trying
to find Mr. Robinson. Be learned
there that hs had gone to Peters?
burg, and so Mr. Mitchell hod to re?
turn to I'ctersburg where he found
?The coffin was made of ordinary
plank and excepting its shape looked
more like a box than a receptacle for a
body.
the object of his search awaiting his
?, *^
arrival.
i afr. Rollinson stated that he hud
anent bis time and means on the hov.
, Ile had known him from childhood
'and took .-in active interest in the
i case. "I have a boy, " said he "a-!
j bout the same nee and I do not
know when misfortune mav befall
i him." Ile l,n, observed that s re
; prieve lind been secured for him, and !
j he thought some ot her lawyer had
been engaged in the case. Mr. Mitch-!
I ell assured him to the contrary ex?
plaining how it was. Ile told him he j
| desired him to take up the case. Mr. 1
Robinson replied that it was almost j
i too late; he did not see what could i
well be done, as it was then Wednes?
day afternoon and the boy was to be
hanged the following frYiday.
Mr. Mitchell told him be would en?
gage him ami stand personally re?
sponsible foi the expense. He de?
sued him to write a letter to Gov?
ernor Kee whom Mr. Mitchel] had,
learned from the oewspaners waa at
*-?<tural P.riii.-re. Vt*, vi "?' Robinson
? ie the letter asking torn reprieve
u >on the grounds of newly discover?
ed evidence and Editor Mitchell look
it to the Western Inion Office and
telegraphed it itt Governor Kee.
Cotnine; over lo Richmond lu-secured
t he sci vices ttl .Janies ll. I hives. Esq.,
and got him to also telegraph Gov.
Kee from Richmond. Gov. Kee tele?
graphed to Messrs. Robinson and
Hayes. "Will he in Richmond Thurs?
day.-it 6:15 p. m. Meet me. ' The
boy was to hang tlu- next day [Fri?
day] between the hours of sunrise
and sunset.
Mr. Robinson came over from
Petersburg iii 6 o'clock Thursday
evening and the two called on Gov.
Keeat his Mansion at S p. m. They
remained there uni il Dearly In o'clock
when they ca nie over t o t he Pl.amt
Office bearing a reprieve for two
Wonks The instructions were that
iis it was
\ MATTES >i" l-l ii: ano DEATH
it was to be delivered by a trust?
worthy messenger at Chesterfield C.
H.. by the ne\' morning. Mr. Mitch?
ell took the reprieve rand tobi the
gentlemen th.it it WOnld bs placed
there in t be hands of i he Sheriff.
Chesterfield C. H. is 16 miles from
Richmond by t-he ?road?way. Every
train had left ind lhere was no way
to get Users save to walk or drive.
After one other ineffectual attempt,
he proceeded to the residence of Dr.
R. E. .bmes. 500 W. Leigh St. "Doc?
tor. I want your horse. I have to
reach Chesterfield C. IK. before to?
morrow morning, ami ha ve no time
tn delay" was his gloating. The
Doctor had just got ten out of beti to
answer the call. Mr. Mitchell threw
the reprieve tm t h" desi ? ??? '
..,.. .Nun my ? tvouiti rather pay
bira horse from :? livery st .able than
to let my horse5ro ont on such a
night as this bit in such a case as
this I suppose I'll let you have him."
He went tait to the stable. ( his driv?
er heine- away) and pul the harness
on bis horse.
"I haven't any buggy light enough
for TOD to drivt. said he. "That's
all right.'" was the reply. "Hr. Henry
Cook has one au. I know he'll let me
have it." Editor Mitehell got
astride of the hone ami rods down
to Mr. look's tl.ace of business.
After much hann ering on the door
he aroused Mr. Cook, aad all of thc
family. He made '.is mission known.
"Certainly you car get it." said he.
" I don't know wh ? wouldn't let yon
have anything for rack a ptorposeas
that. Tell .John to come here!"
Soon the buggy vns run out, the
horse hitched up and Mr. Cook's son.
John volunteered tt accompany Mr.
Mitchell on that midnight journey.
lt was dark, doudymui was raining
slightly. At fifteen minutes to
Lwclvi o'clock, the- drove across
Mayos Bridge leaxhrginto Manches?
ter.*
Mr. Mitchell hail .icver been over
the road before. Tis trees on the
road malle the thirka ss denser. On
account of the hen \\\ rains the road
was bail anti muddy They drove on
for miles, until it- wits bought advis?
able to enquire tbs way. The bay?
ing of the boonda ma**** it almost Im?
possible to awaken viy ons. One
man aroused enough, to say that
they should tiri ve twt miles anti a
half down the road and take t he fork
tt> the right. In the darkness they
missed it. At about 3*30a. m. Fri
day morni*fc\ Mr. Mitel
white )ami*rr A gentle
the door * I pon enquiring
way to Chest er fi eld C. H., he said
?? \\ hy yon "an-* *-"-.. miles from Peters?
burg and 1*2 miles from '"Chesterfield
C.IK" Turning the bones head in
the direction from whence they lind
come he made one mot* enquiry.
Driving five miles, ai the first
streaks of daw n was showing itself,
jumping over bushes the Editor en?
quired at a shanty I'roir. which he
saw curls off Htnoke issuing. A col?
ored man appeared.
Take that road at the top of the
hill sir, and you can't miss it il you
try. lt is seven miles from here to
the Court House." They drove into
that road ami did not check rein un?
til dripping wit h foam the fleet-limb?
ed horse stopped in the yard of the
jail at Chesterfield C. H.
TIIK DEATH-WATCH
had basil set over the boy. Three
white men armed with double bar?
reled shot guns marched to and fro
before the jail, while a string Wits ex?
tended tc keep .-my one from ap?
proaching the cell in which the con?
demned Walker wits confined.
The kind hearted but christian
jailer. Mr. S. P. Cheatham later read
the reprieve, "lt s alright," was
his laconic remark. Kater 8 hotly
Of men, six white and six colored
tilt d on to the jail. They hal been
>: wi a. m. r n
i#-l aroused ?
'iiciiiirini^ Tie
SIMON WALKER,
THE lo VKAK OLD ROY TO II.WK BEEN HANOI !> NOVKM
BBB 8, 1889 AT .OHBSTBBPI4LD 0. ll., VA.
assigned to guard Simon Walker to
the gallows which had been built in!
an open field nearly a quarter of a
mile distant, both the Editor and
.John Cook were cold. .lumping
from the buggy to make enquiries,
making their way through toe wet
Lr ra ss iiad\*ct them to their kn
Kater Sheriff (lill arrived. "Is that
Mitchell?" he was heard to enquire
of one of his deputies. Kater Mi
Mitchell laughingly went np to bim
shook ha inls-at the same lime in?
forming him t ha t he learned that he
was one of the best men in the
com.ty. The Editor talked also to
illili ?; :>"<! -v -?:.v.,_ | ill :>. p.
Che.-.'f ham who said, "1 ha vs talked
to Simon about praying, lb- deni?
ed more concerned t han he has I
before. He seems now to becoming
to realize his condition." Il-- spoke
MdrMibhell laid he?
ida for his act ion.
to condone clime.
nilty, he should be
simply desired mi?
ni administering it.
as too young to realize
itv of the offence with
mournfully.
fore him tin
11 w as not
if Simon
punished
other ni
The bo
the
whiclrhe stood char<red
S^ferR&d
tTHK JAIL.
Kater, accompanied by sheriff (lill,
acting Deputy Sheriff Cheat ham.
Editor Mitchell entered Walker's cell.
On the wall was a row of pictures of
men and women which Simon hud
drawn with soot from the stove.
Standing leaning against the wall,
feet bare, chubby head, one ankle
chained to the stone Hoon* nappy
head, attired in blue jean pants
with a bluish shirt stood Simon
s. Walker, his dark brown skin
face tiie picture of silliness, ap?
parently almost scared to ,.death.
He must have thought that they
had row to take him out to-h
DUH. Ali. .w.ii-li. ll Told hi, *j
his time had been extended two
weeks. He told him what ii hard time
they had tO get this extension. He
advised him to look to the Saviour,
who would be a mother to t he mot h
erlessand a father to the fatherless.
He Would need friends in this cold
world ami he advised him to so con?
duct himself its to merit the respect
of t hose around him.
"I'll go ttl Richmond," said he ami
fight for yan ant il t he last moment.
ll I win you will see nie again. If I
lose, you will see me no more.'- These
words were delivered in a tremulous
voice. When Editor Mitchell looked
up Jailer Cheatham was wiping the
tears from his eyes while the noble
hearted Sheriff was trying to con?
ceal his emotions. It was a touch?
ing scene. Alter remaining on
the ground a while longer. Kditor
Mitchell prepared for his return jt>ur
ney. lie lani already travelled ?'Uiv
miles. As bs grasped Sheriff Gill's
hand in a parting good-bye the Sher?
iff said "Mr. Mitchell, you need not
have hurried with that reprieve BS
you ditl this morning. I assure you
that on October 11th, I will not
hang that hoy until the last mo
fThe cell ts tbs left was the sae ls
which Walker was chained. In the imf
to j the tri<;lit ;is Jones, tillite charged
with killing >i white limn and sentenced
to two years in the penitentiary J
uient in order to allow you all the
time to get here with a reprieve. * edi?
tor Mitt hell t hanked him. As In-was
about leaving st vera! white nen
gathered around the buggy.
One of them saith "Will you tell me
one thing'.' What is the meaning of
{his continued reprieving of Sill on
Walker'.' I thought, in fact 1 kn av
thc last .'bl days were given him in
order to allow him tillie to prepare
for dent h."
"Von are mistaken, sir.'' wa
editor's reply. "We are tr
save him. We lu ;-\.?
ll'l'"'.! ll]
hi extreme youthfulness, ? ?,
rnent in the penitentiary would Miih
scrve the ends of justice. This oph?
ion is shared by numbers of liber. 1
Blinded white men. 1 trust I'll *<??
von again, sir. Good day."
They arrived in Richmond about
:', IV M., having driven 5?^ mlle*.
I.nw vcr E. s. Robinson then welt
actively to work. He traveled over
Chesterfield, Ct)., securing the sign
tares ot some of th" leading whit ?
citizens. He also secured fi out wi
the L2 jurors, not having time to its
the other four Editor Mitchell ha i
already seenr <d many siiriiatures ft
commutation of the sentence. M
Hayes went over to Petersburg un!
secured the signatures of thefa-ub
of the Va Normal Collegiate [nett.
t ute.
Mr. Robinson also secured the
gignitures of the grand-father; tte
grand-mother and the mother of tafe
girl. They urged the Qovernoi
commute .the sentence. Kater tbs
uncle ami the aunt of the girl wrote
from baltimore, urging the ('oven
or to {commute the sentence. Ti
finnier was at first in favor of limit
ing the boy but changed his min:.
Friday, October 4th, Mr. Mitchel
secured carriages in which ii dclegt
t ion of ministers, consist ing of Kev.,
.lames II. Holmes, A. Pinga, dr., J.
?. Jones, DD., D. N. Vassar. A. M .
A P. Dunbar, J. I), dininierson, R
Watts. Z. D. Kew is,.I. Anderson Tn,
lor called vin Judge Clopton, the
judge before whom Ihe case was trier!
and then called tm Gov. I-***'. Thev
were well received. Kev. Pinga actej
,-is spokesman before the Judge n*tfi
and Kev. Holmes before the UOVetn
j ,,r. Kater Gov. Lee sent word thc
he desired the names of the four otb
jer jurors, Mr^iitchell iuunedi if<*Jr
?j-rajiheil ' "rs^kf-itiinst*!! at i ;. J
burg. rVedne-?<Jp*/ morning Oe! *W
9th, he started out to secure their?
lb- found two ami obtained thee
signatures. He now hat! ten, out -.
the twelve jurors. Wednesday niel.
ia company with Editor Mitchell, A!?S
Robinson called on (iovernor Lee
his .Mansion. There seated in Ml
luxurious private office, they list ene.'
to the Governor as he related flu
hid of his having visited the Chest
heit! jail, ami interviewed the i
(jeinnetl boy stilting at the same
that he desired to see for himself
'fliis act on his part has possibl,
never been thine before in the history
of the state.
lt was a grand act on the part of e
grander man.
J
Till. BLACK CSP VMi BOP!
Walker has always claim
that he was innocent of th
crime as charged natl his statement
of the case hail ii marked effect ol
tbs Governor. He handed over to
Lawyer Robinson a reprieve for .'bi
days more, remarking that he de
sired more time in which to consider
ami Thursday morning, the day be?
fore the execution, Editor Mitchell
deli veretl it ;it the Court House, thus
f >r the third time
PRE! iaiim; nu. i \! i | nov
The cost of the case bini ht come a
big item, anti Mr. Mitchell devoted
his energies itt raising the means to
defray the expense of the same
Churches and individuals responded
(in September 26th, the following
appeared in the Richmond ' Dis?
patch."
"The Petersburg Index Appeal of yes
orti.iy mys:
Massa s. Waiker (cotorsd) who ts Iq
H handed at Cheatai ti.M ? Uejtirtle
>n ncxr frittav for a heinous crime, has
riven up ail hopes sf any further re
p ieve. lt is tumored in the eountv
'hat on the day of execution sonic of
Walker's friends will make an attempt
0 tHke him from the Sheriff, and there
fore the jjuard is to he increased
The Manchester Leader of yesterday,
n speaking of the execution, says:
?"The father of the condemned man
val at 'the jail Monday, and Bald rit.-u
ie would be then again Finlay, anti
voiild ask IO have chance Sf 'he hoiiy.
Io regard lo this Mr. Chc.-ith.tin. who
ItMsS OaargB of tbs Chesterfield jail, anti
vho was in the ci y to dav. amys that
he law require* the sherill' to notify
he Medical K o liege whenever an exe
? ?inion is to take place, anti if the col
age desires the hedy it uiu-i bc turned
over to the college authorities, lt is
understood that the college has made
areparations to obtain the body of
Walker immediately after the essen
'ion. There will be a guard of about
twenty live on duty the day of the exe
cutiou and probably the day before.*'
It is not at all probable that the <"ov
ernor will grant any further | reprieve
and it is expected that Walker wil*
hang between 1 anti 2 o'clock to mer
row.
No rescue had been contemplated*
lt was stated for effect. In con vet
tion with Lawyer Robinson who up
ttl this tims hail taken such u deep
interest in the hov. he sahl, "'l es,
I knew Simon from his childhood.
When he was three years old. he ami
his little brother WOOld be alone in
an old shanty in the county and
they WOUld have to huddle togeth?
er to keep warm The ueigliborw
would often give them meal ami oth?
er eatable** to keen them from starv?
ing ami they would bake ash cakes
in the fishes. I Jiave felt a deep
He
.. .
(I no ninney.
The 80 days additional granted by
the (iovernor was about to expire.
Lawyer Robinson had not been idle.
Throe judges had been ftiUUtl
who expressed the opinion that
Walker ought not bang. This
too was laid before the Povern
ar. Public sentiment was setting
steadily in the boy's favor. Kdi?
tor Mitchell visited Danville. Va.,
in the interest of the case. The exe?
cution was to lake place Friday, the
sth inst. Thursday, 7th inst, hat!
arrived ami no news had been re
?ei\ed from the Gov. The Editor
sought Mr. Hayes and got him togo
and lind out the result. He came
back with the announcement that
the sentence hail been ct minuit od to
SO years in the penitentiary, that
the Governor had been in communi?
cation with Mr. Robinson, and thal
the latter hail telegraphed that he
would be in Richmond at <> P, M.
He WOOld have the papers ready ami
WOUld give them to him when he
came. Shortly after li o'clock Mr.
Robinson entered the office of the
imam:!'. "The Governor had sent
me word thal he hat! decided to com?
mute t he sentence," sahl he.
Mr. Robinson and Mr. Mitchell
proceeded to the Governor's Man?
sion. "The Governor is not in,"
saitl the attendant. "Are you Mr.
Robinson? He left this for you.
papers on the simon Walker case."
Proceeding again to the Planet
office, they read the commutation
which was as follows :
The Commonwealth of Vikotnia.
Whereas at a County Court held in
and for the County of Chesterfaeld in
the month of May. iii the year lsa*8
Simon Walker was convicted of Rape
<iiiil waa. ttiereiipoti sentenced to he
banged and whereas lt appaara to *!??
BzesutlVS that he is a fit subject for
eh-te ency.
Therefore. I, FiT/ainOH Lre, Gover
nor ol the Conan >uwealth hy virtue of
mic hu itv vested in tue have commuted
and do hereby esmsanta the saitl md
leuce to impiiaoomeut in the pen hen
(Bary for the term ot Twenty years, and
do order that he. the said prisoner be
dischaiged from imprisonment at the
expiration of Mich commuted terni.
Olsen auder my hand and the Li
.Seal of the Commonwealth at Kiefa
mond, this 7lh day of Nov.'iubci in the
year of eur Lord, One Thousand Eight
Hundred anti eighty nine and in t .e
114th year of the Commonwealth.
By the Governor.
Fiizhl'oh Lek.
C. Poindexter. Governor.
Secretary of the Commonwealth
and Keeper ot the Seals.
It was then nearly 7 o'clock P. If.
Kditor Mitchell was again entrusted
with the delivery of this important
document at Cbesterneld, C. H.. be?
fore sunrise the next morning.
?Tell Sheriff Gill," sahl afr. Robin?
son, to bring the I" - to Richmond
*i back with
nim v\ hih | it intent among
the best whit nie in the county
is with the I ? Dome irresponsible
Iterson mig' . i.tempt to lynch him.
don't think that such a thing would
Ito done bul this will preclude tin
tinned on fourth page.]
RUBBERS
iHty-five" cents
?AT THE?
WERTHEIMtJR
SHOE SORE
422 - K BROAD ST - 422
sf* "?P *f\ 4 t . 3V?:0"B X II I. V PA V fl K -U T N
X [ If a* OK EASY TERMS
%mV # V* W * $1 CASU ft $1 AH KKK
?;. :.? Jl S LEM,
7 IBS I IBS E: (atna ST.
^ev**-- Richmond - Virginia
?V
? sss a*BTai f ixturcs
Compete $12.00.
Ul kinds of Cooking Stoves and lt inges, Self-Hea ers and Small Heit
era, O.ien Franklin and step Stoves, Clothe* Wringers Fluting
Machines, Bad lions, and many other articl-s
?OHKalP FOR CASH (ia ON' EASY PAYMENTS.?
3RQCKKRY W .RE. OL ASS WA RB wooDRV ware. WILLOW BAS
-KKl's. n\ wauk, stove WARS, SHEET IRON WAKE &
-MANY OT1IKK USaWUL AKTICL.KS.
[ia-RootiifT, Plumbing Gas-Fitting &,Joh work attended to promptly
in citv and uouuriv. iv-Don't fur-ret the ntimher 1602 & 1609 East
FRANKLIN STREET., RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
M S U IDY
RICHMOND STEAM LAUNDRY
5 & 7 North Fifteenth Street.
["c*'I am now ready to do all kit da of L uiiulry W irk, both in clean
iness and finish. 1 can guarnii ee satisfaction.
All woik done in the best mainner and ni ide. to look oqual to
iew. and at the shortest notice and en prompt time*
ft? All I ask my friends and the public in general is to give me a
rial and see what 1 cati do: MTWoi lot and delivered.
Call ami be convinced:
W WISE JACKSON,
Projrfetor
IP 108 SI BIM
0?Ta3 miOH ONm PJE1.IOS]
THE RELIABLE
CLOTHIER & HATTER
DOR. 4th and BROAD SPS. COR. 4th and BROAD STS.
?)?(-)o(?
We would ?all special attention to our large and well selecte 1 stock
of MENS BUSINESS and DRESS. SUITS, Overcoats?light and
lieavv weights, CHINCHILLAS, BEAVERS, SHELTONS, KERSEYS
CHEVIOTS and WORSTEDS.
HANTS?Single Pants. We have made speciol efforts ami our endeav?
or have been crowned with success. Our stock consist of the
latest Forfiom and Homk Makks. cut and made in the latest
(English) style-prices ranging from $1.50, $2 00, $2.50,
90, $3.5u, $4 00. $5.00 and np wards.
PRINCE ALBERT SUITS in worsteds of every style and grade. Plain
Corkscrew?wide and narrow wile.
Our CHILDRENS DEPARTMENT figures a prominent part .*-? our
Establish amen**. We carr"*' a tremendous stock consisting of every
gr.ulii of clothes manufactured. Wa show i very neat knee
pants suit for $1.50. a better one for #2.00 and gradually
uses according to quality.
OVERCOATS?In the noted Storm Cons, specially adapted for school
children and wear will he sold tor $2.50. Sizes 4 to 10 years, large
sizes 8 to 14 will be sold for $4 and up.
Call and examine our various Dcp ir'm uits.
li. FLORSHEIM.