The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-09
THE GALLOES FOR TEE WHITE
MAN AND IMPRISONMENT
FOR THE NEGRO.
THE PORTSMOUTH CRIMINALS.

Governor Wells on yesterday commuted
to Imprisonment for life the sentence of
death passed upon a negro named Benjamin
jefferson, convicted in Portsmouth court
of rape, under aggravated circumstances.
Executive clemency was refused John Per-
kins, the other criminal, who will there
fore suffer the extreme penalty of the law
between the hours Of IL and II o'clock this
morning.
News farm, situated on the Boyken Ferry
road, in Norfolk county, on the night of
Tuesday the 9th of June, 1868, was the
scene of the enormous crime for which
these men stand committed, and for which
they were sentenced to suffer death by
hanging. On this farm resided widow
lady, Mrs. Eliza Forde, and her daughter,
Miss Sarah E. Forde. 1t is lonely place,
and in the country around it is squatted a
large negro population. Neighbors in the
vicinity of Mrs. Forde's house have at times
kindly guarded her premises to give her
protection against any violence which the
negroes might be tempted to offer. On the
night in question, after all had retired, be-
tween the hours of 10 and II o'clock, Mrs.
Forde was walked up by the barking Of
the dogs, and, jumping out of bed, was
approaching the door to quiet them, when
it was broken open, and the negro Jetfer-
son rushing in, seized her by the throat
and commenced choking her. Immediately
following him was Perkins, the white man,
who proceeded at once towards Miss Forde
(who had arisen and stood in her night
clothes), and violently seizing her by the
throat, threw her upon trunk, with her
head forced back against the bed, and there
brutally violated her person IN the very
sight of her mother, who had in the mean
while been thrown on the floor by Jefer-
son, who continued to choke her. Al
ter the accomplishment of their helllsh
deed the miscreants robbed the house and
then left the premises.
This is about the substance Of the evil
denee given before the magistrates court
of the county of Norfolk last June, and on
which Perkins and Jefferson were con-
victed on the 18th and 18th of last Au-
gust, and sentenced to be hung on Friday
the I'd Of October; which execution was
stayed by telegraphic notice of respite
from Governor Wells last Thursday nlshe.
Every preparation had been made to carry
out the sentence Of the court on that DAY,
and the news of the respite was received
with surprise by the criminals as well as
by the citizens.
John Perkins, the white man, is power
fully built. He states that he was born IN
Wakefield, N. H., and joined the onlon
army in 1861 as private IN the oeconu
New Hampshire regiment. After the war
he settled in Currituck county, N. u, ana
followed the water. Some seven months
ago he received employment as hand on
the farm of MIR. Stohiar, on tanner,s
creek, near the residence OF the Fordes.
He has no parents living, but has sister
in Massachusetts and brother IN Call1or-
mia. He proclaims himself innocent OF the
crime. and states that if it is the WIZ OF
God that he should die he Is resigned ana
prepared to meet death.
Jefferson, the negro, is short and thlck-
set. He also states that ne IS innocent. II
was principally through his testimony tha'
he as well as Perkins were convicted. Al
the trial he accused himself as an scces-
sorv to Perkins. He now states that ne
was induced to do this by the persuasion OF
the negro Elliot, who was arrested as q party
to the crime, but who was acquitted py the
testimony of jefferson, who sWore tna
Elliot was not present. JEFFERSON stases nis
willingness to die, but appears terrlhed DJ
the thought that through his own false oatt
he may be the cause OF not only MS owi
death but also Of Perkins's.
Rev, Father Plunkett has been in attend
ance ON the condemned since their contine
ment, and has administered to them all tn
consultations of the Catholic Church. H
has baptized them, and administered tn