The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-01

now YEArTs's RESPITE WAS REcErvHp--A
PLAIN STATEMENT OF rAcrs--rHE PRISON.

execution of Yeats for the murder q,
young Anderson, but on YESTERDAY Special
Messenger r. T.. Drinkard arrived from
Richmond and delivered TO Sheriff OVERLY
respite OF the sentence until FRIDAY. An.
gust 4th. In anticipation, however. tina,
the execution would take place TODAY. a
number Of persons from various sections
OF The county came 10 town with the hope
o. seeing the prisoner on his way 10 the
eallows; but though disappointed In this,
they were not entirely unrewarded, ms oc-
cs'sionly they got glimpse OF the doomed
man as he looked out on the street through
the iron bars OF his cell.
Surprise was expressed by some nj the
action OF the Governor, as they appeared 10
think IL indicative OF still further lenency
towards the prisoner, but the general opin-
Ion was that upon an investigation OF the
matter the Governor would not interfere
with the verdict OF the jury, which, upon
an appeal, has been approved by the high
est court OF the State. Ii was stated In the
Dispatch several days ago that among the
grounds urged 10 the Governor for clemcn-
cy by Major Yeats, the father OF the con-
demncd man. and Mr.. II. III. Pannili, who
accompanied him, were that at the time OF
the trial the father was confined 10 his bed
from sickness; that the prisoner made
poor defence and had no one to assist him
until his father recovered, which was
only week or so ago; and, furthermore.
that great change IN the public sentiment
OF the county had set in in favor Of the pri-
soner under the light of recent events.
The facts arc that Major Yeats. at the
time the murder was committed, was con-
fined 10 his bed from sickness. but was pres
ent during the whole time Of his sons trial.
and was up and going about for more than
a month prior thereto. lie employed as
able counsel 10 defend his son as he could
have gotten in this section-to wit. Mr..
Robert III. Tredway, OF this place, and
McsSrS. PeatroSS and IIarriss. Of Danville.
and il is said by those able TO judge that
considering the one-sidedncss Of the case
they made a very able and ingenious de-
fence. There were twcnty-three witnesses
summoned for the defence, and out OF this
number but barely one was examined.
In regard 10 n change having taken
place in the sentiment OF the people, this
Is SO; but that change is decidedly against
the prisoner. Among a few there has been,
and perhaps is now, some small sympathy
for him, but this last attempt OF his 10
leave n stain on the character of his wife is
regarded by the great majority OF right
thinking people of the county as the
browning act Of infamy to life already
black with crime
For weeks before his trial he was be-
sought BIZ his counsel if he had any reason
10 suspect any undue intimacy between
young Anderson and his wife either before
or after his marriage TO speak out; in fact,
they told him that the only way TO save his
neck from the galloWs was to use some
such argument. but he declared TO the last
that he had no ground for such suspi-
cion, and that young Anderson was one Of
the best friends he ever had.
Within the last few weeks, however, he
has made a conies>ion-in fact. hall a
dozen or mOrc-two written ones and the
Others to various persons who have con-
yersed with him. every one OF which is
different. In the first one made to his
counsel. Mr.. Trcdway, written and signed
10y himself, he declares substantially a, fol-
lows:
That Anderson came TO him week be-
fore his marriage and asked him il he con-
sidered Tim his friend; that he told him
yes; that Adkerson said then, d" As friend,
/ advise you not 10 marry Miss ROrer; if
YOU do YOU will Il -: that he said 10 Adj
kerson, "Do you know that to lie a fact;
that he replied, "No, but | have
heard it,; that he then said to
Anderson. You are n liar" and that
Anderson said. &" You must retract that or
one Of us must die" and that he replied,
Let slip, I'm ready; that ut this point
they were interrupted by some one COM
ing up, and ceased their conversation;
that the next day after his marriage he
went to Sycamore, and said to Anderson,
Al want you TO repeat what you said the
other day" that Anderson declined, and
requested him to walk down the railroad
track, and they would settle IL; that they
walked down the track piece, and he re-
quested Anderson 10 rctrGct what he had
said. and he refused, and said he would die
before he would do so; that he (Geatt>)
pulled out his pistol, and that Anderson
said TO him. You are not going to shoot
me with that pistol; that he thercupon
placed il 10 his head and fired, and that
Adkerson's lifeless body rolled down the
bank: that the articles belonging TO Adker-
kerson found upon his (Yeatts's) person
when captured were given to him by Adj
kerson 10 keep for him before he Killed
him; that after killing him he took the
train for Tennessee.
In his other written confession, which
be has requested should not be published
until he has "shu1led off this mortal coil"
am told that he declares that he Killed Adj
kerson IN order to get from him the forged
due bill, which he (Ieatts) had sold nm
some time before, on r. L. PoindeXter
Son, OF Danville; that after killing him he
took from him his safe-&ey and various
other articles and started towards AdkeI-
sons store to get from the safe the due bill,
but expecting that he would meet with re-
sistance, and having only three bullets leit
i'm his pistol, he decided to walk to the
next station and there take the tram,
which he did. His other statements, II Is
said. differ as widely as these two. Taking
the best view OF the case, he is guilty oil
wilful and most atrocious murder.
In regard TO the affidavits which have
been laid before the Governor tending 10
show that there was an improper intimacy
existing between Anderson and Ieatts's
wife, il is thought here that there has been
some crookedness in their procurement,
though they may be bOnd:ide documents:
1t was proved, however, upon the triai tIia'
Young Anderson had not been 10 Mr.. no
rer's house but twice during the past year.
and that these visits were eight or nine
months apart, and that he only had q
friendly neighborhood acquaintance WIN
Miss Rorer. 4 petition has been circula-
ted by Major Yeats remote from where the
crime was committed, and good many
persons have signed il through sympathy
for him, who is now an old man, bowed
down by grief but even many Of these de-
clare that Yeats deserves 10 be hung.
The father has the most profound re-
spect and sympathy, and though his son
has committed great crime, ana VIII no
doubt pay the forfeit upon the galows, the
q. 10. or