Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-20
CLUVERIUSIS SENTENCED
NOV. 20 FIXED AS THE DAY FOR
HIS EXECUTION.

''NOu are PrOnOuncing Sentence on an
Innocent Man-rhat is All Have to
Say, sir'-The Judges Solemn Order
Heard without Apparent Emotion
His Last Chance.
RICHMOND, VA, June 19.-The Hastings
Court room this morning was packed with
one Of the largest crowds seen there dur
ing the four weeks of the trial of T. j.
| Cluverius for the murder of Fannie
Lillian Madison, while hundreds Of people
filled the corridors and street in the inn
mediate vicinity. The cause this morn
ing was an expectation that the death
sentence would be pronounced on Cluve-
RUS, and it had been intimated that he
would make a statement. The prisoner
was brought into court and occupied
seat behind the bar with his counsel. He
appeared calm and self-possessed, and
while the clerk was reading the minutes
of the previous days proceedings he car
rted on whispered communication with
his counsel.
CLUVERIUS PROTESTS INNOCENCE.
The preliminarles of opening the court
| being concluded, Judge Crump stated TO
the court that the preparation of bills of
exceptions had not yet been completed,
and asked that a further postponement
be ordered until tomorrow. Common
wealth Attorney Meredith opposed delay
ing action, inasmuoh as the matter Of
preparing bills of exception would not be
| interfered with. Judge Atkins ooncurred
with Mr.. Meredith and decided oprOceed.
Clerk Lawton then told the prisoner to
stand up, and propounded the usual ques-
fTOVg xuhathar. 10 had anuAhfpfr 70
say why sentence of death should not be
pronounced against him. The prisoner,
in low and rather husky voice, address,
ing the court, said:
81 will say, sir, that you are pTonOuncing
sentence on an innocent man. That IS all
/ have to say, sir"
SENTENCED TO HANG NOV. 20.
Judge Atkins proceeded then TO paGs
! sentence briefly but impressively. fixing
! the time of execution on Nov. 20 next.
! The prisoner stood unmOved without
manifesting the least emotion, and when
the Judge had concluded took his seat
quietly. The court was then adjourned
and the condemned man taken back to
Jail, where he was locked in the MUIR
derer's cell, there to remain until the day
of his execution, or until granted a new
trial by the Supreme Court, which will
meet in this city on Nov. .. Judge Atkins
so fixed the time of execution as to give
the prisoner an opportunity TO set the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court before that
time arrived.
TEXT OF THE SENTENCE.
The following is the text of Judge At
kins' death sentence:
Thomas j. Cluverius: You have been in
dicted for the willfu, deliberate and premedi-
tated murder of Fannie Lillian Madison, your
companion and cousin, whom you had be-
traying her confidence. treacherously Sc
duced. Twelve of your fellow men, selected
for their intelligence and impartiality. have
patiently and attentively listened TO the evil
dence in this cause. Witness after
witness has been examined, and day after
day been consumed in an endeavor TO arrive
at the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth Of this charge. Exceedingly able
counsel have done all that learning, eO-
quence, skill and eXperie nee could accom-
plish IN your behalf. You have had a fair
and, may say, liberal trial, and finally the
jury in The faithful discharge Of their duty
have pronounced you guilty, and that verdict
has been approved by the court. 1 shall not
harrow your feelings by referring at length
TO the enOrmity OF your crime, every step in
the preparation Of which must be deeply en-
graved upon your memory. To man of your
intelligence no good could be accomplished by
doing so.
LEFT TO HIS THOUGHTS.
l commend you to the suggestions Of your
own better thoughts. Nor is IL necessary 10