The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-27
Tho ShiHiett Murxler...A Strange
Prnyer.

Prayer.
| One singular thing connected with this
murder is worthy Of mention. At the fll.
neral OF Lawson the officiating minister
praved that "God would blight the trees
| from the spot where Lawson was assassi.
mated to the murderer's home." and it may
sound strange, yet it is true, the trees from
where his body was found in the direction
OF Shifflett's house are all blighted and dy-
inc, whilst all the other trees around are
perfec,ly. healthy. This story has been in
circulation here for some time, believed by
few, but doubted and made fun OF by the
MANY. Last Sunday several gentlemen rep
rescntins city dailies, who had arrived to
"do" the execution, visited the spot and
found it an actual fact.
After the usual coroncr's inquest the re-
mains OF the executed man were put in 4
substantial, plain coffin and delivered to his
relatives. The coffin was made last Satur-
dav at the expense OF the county. The total
expense Of bringing the Lawson murderers
to Justice has been over 81, 600.
Shifllett's dying statements, especially after
the breaking or the rope, have caused many
to waver in their prcyiously-formed opln-
ions OF his guilt. The chances for Morris
and Mrs. Lawson are considered much bet
ter for Il reprieve or commutati ation.- Har-
risonJurg letter in Baltimore A1aerican.
From the Baltimore Americana
A TALK WITH SHIFFLETT.
Anderson Shifilctt, who was hung to-day
for the murder OF David &. Lawson in Rock
ingham county, Va, the 18th OF March,
1916, slept very little, so his guards report,
all OF last night. This morning at 7:30
O'Clock Sheriff Ralston furnished him with
an excellent breakfast, which he declined
to partakc OF. In conversation with the
representative OF the american he spoke in
the warmest terms of the kindness he re-
ceived from Sheriff Ralston, his wife,
Messrs. Sam. w. Cotfman and Rymer, his
guards at night, and the deputy sheriff OF
the county. He said the jury which found
him guilty could not well have done any
thing else from the evidence, but that Sam.
Hall, Burnise Williams, Wyant, and several
other witnesses, swore falsely. He expressed
himself as very grateful to his counsel, Gene
raj John i. Roller, George w. Berlin, and
L. 3. Ragan. The only murmur Of COM
plant about any one connected with the
| case was: II think Sheriff RaIston might
have let my wife and children stayed with
me last night, as it was my last one on
earth, but ] will not complain, for Sheriff
Ralston and his wife have. been very kind
TO Susan (meaning his wife) and my dear lit
| tie children" He was particularly anxious
to know if ! was the man who sent that
story to Baltimore paper some weeks ago
about i confession. Upon being assured
that | was not the person, he said, in an
swer TO the question, do you know
who did kill David q. Lawson :"
Gas ] stand within few hours OF the
bar OF God, | do not; one thing | do
know, and that is / did not. I suspect a
party, from the evidence in my case, and
from the fact that Sam. Hall told me thar he
had found two men willing to accept his
offer OF twenty dollars to kill Lawson, and
that Dave would be killed on the next day
As he returned from the mill. l think New
berry and Crawford killed him. They
found him mighty quick after he was dead,
and then there was bad blood existing be-
tween one Of them and Dave about the rent
inc Of house. And then another thing,
there were two tracks from the place Law
son was killed, going toward Lawson's
and Newberry's houses, and in an
opposite direction from my house.
Now, is it likely 1 would have killed
Dave Lawson and then went away from
my house in the direction OF his? He posi-
lively denied that Mrs. Lawson or Silas
Morris had anything to do with the killing,
as far as he was concerned, at all. In refer
ence to Morris's respite, he was glad he got
it, as the next month might stell the truth.'V
He then said " I shall die in few hours
an innocent man. / am glad they are not
to hang Silas with me. One innocent mans
blood Is enough to be on Sam. Halls shonl-
ders," and as he was shaking hands he said,
with some emphasis, 81 am not afraid to
meet my God on account OF the death OF
Lawson, for am as innocentas you are"
MORRIS ALSO INSISTS on HIS INNOCENCE.
Sllas Morris, who was in an adjoining cell,
called to me and thanked me for contradict7
ing through the american the false confcG
sion. He is in much better spirits sinceHe
has received the respite, and is firm in fhc
| belief that before October 25th there vii be
sufficient evidence produced to completely
eNoneratc him. His wife is in the ceN with
him, and in reply to the question: il he
knew who did kill Lawson, he answered,
"No. l do not; / know l I'm inno-
cent" His wife stepped behind him,
and, throwing her arms around{his neck,
between sobs, said: eyes, God KNOWS and
| l know my dear husband is innbcent OF the
terrible crime" Mrs. MorriS is a yerv
| handsome woman, and more than ordinarily
intelligent. That she firmly bkIieyes in her
husbands innocence no or4e can doubt.
Her womanly character has Been put to q
severe test, and the devot abn she has ex.
hibited for her uniortunaN husband has
won for her many friends fthis place. Her
trip to Richmond last wek to obtain re.
spite was On undertaking. that woman
with less heroism and Gove would have
avoided. Her expenses Ewcrc paid by the
ladies OF Harrisonburs. E
During the preparations for the execu
tion the ceil-window & Morris had beer
darkened. It was not within range OF tbt
galIows. The cell imhE Eediately opposite tht
gallows was peopled S several negro Grim
| inals, who were seate ED on their beds play
ing cards, perfeetly4ndiferent to the worl
going on in the iait-yard, or the religious
services in progress s: in the cell Of shitilett
had been removed from her cell, whlcl
Of Stl the ,a sns appeared perissy cain
cution, yet listeniSAg most attentiyely to tn
religious serrieesf Which could be distinct
heard rom shinle ett's.cell.
HlDr. Mary Walker had only turned he