Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-10-15
From the Richmond Dispatch. Oct. 10th. ]

late Sergeant Lee, and who was constantly
in attendance III his official capacity upon
the trial. gave an affirmative reply. When
the City-Hall lot was reached the prisoner
looked out from the carriage upon the men
digging dirt and remarked, They are
progressing very fast on the City Hall. )"
This was all he said until he almost
reached the courthouse. Then he said,
as he looked towards the City Hall, 81
hope there will not be large crowd in
the courtroom to-day"
HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE COURT
ROOM.
At two minutes to O'Clock Cluverius
was brought into the courtroom and Judge
Atkins assembled the bench. Very soon
the prisoners counsel. Judge Crump and
his son, Beverley Crump, entered and took
seats close to the prisoner, behind the bar.
Judge Crump being next to him, greeted
him by saying: "How are yon, Mr.. Gu
verius ?" CluVerius inclined his head and
for about minute whispered in Judge
Crump's ear.
THE ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT.
AS soon as Judge Crump was through
and looked up, Judge Atkins asked Judge
Crump, Are you ready ~ The latter re-
Piled that he was, and the Court directed
UuOSIClh W tCoA uAO ohoOA "a viz SuPACLA1O
Court.
Mr.. Lawton in clear voice read the
order of the Court of Appeals affirming
the decision of the Hastings Court.
While he read. the prisoner listened at
tentively, leaning back in his chair. When
he finished, Deputy Sergeant Macon, mo-
tioning to Cluverius with his hand, said:
s'Please stand up.'' The prisoner arose.
q. Judge Atkins then said: Thomas J.
Cluverius, the Supreme Court having
overruled your application for new trial
and affirmed the Judgment OF this court OF
June 10, 1885, it becomes my duty to fix a
day for the execution of that judgment.
Have you anything to say ?'
MARVELLOUS NERVE.
The prisoner stood motionless while
Judge Atkins spoke, looking squarely at
the speaker. not defantly, yet unabasbed
and unmoved. All eyes were upon him.
and the deepest silence pervaded the room.
AS the Judge finished with the question.
"Have you anything to say?" CluYerius.
in low, but unbroken voice replied: mo,
sir; except what I have said BEFORE"
was: II would say. sir. that you will pro-
nounce sentence upon an innocent man.
That is all have to say, sir"
1hE 6hN 1GNOG IhONOONCGO
Judge Atkins then passed sentence as
follows:
Thomas J. Cluverius, as appears by the
orders just read, the Supreme Court of
Appeals of this State has affirmed the
judgment rendered by this court on the
18th day of June, 1885, and it now becomes
my solemn duty to fix day upon which
that judgment can be carried out. Have
you ANYTHING to say, sc.
sit is considered by the Court that you,
Thomas ]. Cluverius. shall be taken hence
to the Jail of this city, and there securely
kept until the 10th day Of December next,
on which day, between the hours OF in
the morning and in the evening, you
shall be taken to some convenient place of
execution at or near said jail, and in the
presence only of such officers of the law
as may be necessary to see that this sem
tence is properly carried into effect, be
there hanged by the neck until you are
dead.
Sand may the Lord have mercy on
you"
RECOMMITTAL TO JAIL.
The court was then adjourned, and the
prisoner taken back to jail. He was dressed
in suit made Of gray cashmere, wore no
moustache, and his face was clearly
6udN6u. OulluR ulO WuOlO LllP W dI1u
from the Jail, and in the court room. he
exhibited the most remarkable composure.
He did not finch or faIter in the slightest.
THE PRISONER GREATLY CHANGED.
Many of those who saw Cluverius yes
terday were astonnded at the change that
has come over him. To the reporters and
others who have been visiting him at the
Jail from time to time the change was not
ac If IN xr7b0
him yesterday for the first time in many
months. He looks smaller than ever; but
he has no longer boyish look. His COM
plexion is naturally ruddy. He is now
bleached from long imprisonment He
has seemingly lost much flesh, and his
features, while not exactly haggard, show
traces of great. though suppressed, suffer
ing. His eyes are rather sunken; his nose
is thin and looks longer than ever, and bis
mouth, always large, now seems almost
double it's former size. His nerve is I'M
changed. He keeps that in unabated force,
but his flesh he cannot control. What
with the agonizing suspense he has under
gone; the terrible punishment of having
pair Of eyes on him night and day, and
the natural and usual result of imprison-
ment. he is much altered man.
REPORTER S INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIs
ONER AFTER THE SENTENCE.
"Good evening, Mr. Cluverius; how are
you to-day" said the reporter, entering
the cell.
Thank you. am well. Won't you have
seat ?
Thanks. Will you tell me what your
plans are?
can't say until my brother has talk
with Judge Crump.
Will you not petition the Governor for
executive clemencyp
Yes; there will be a petition.
Here the reporter parted with the pris-
oner and left the Jail. Talking somewhat
later with one who knew, the reporter
asked: Will the petition be for pardon OR
for communication ?
For communication, I think. was the
reply.
What will be the grounds alleged?
am not prepared to say.
THE FUTURE.
In earthly hope Cluverius can now look
in but one direction-to Governor Lee.
Governor Lee can pardon him or can COM
mate the death sentence to imprisonment
for any designated time. Will he do is ?
Assuredly not; as the case now stands. Ac-
cording to the record, Cluverius commit
ted coolly -premeditated murder upon
defenceless woman. who had yielded to
his soft words and been betrayed. Now,
if Executive interference is hoped for
Cluverus must do something that will
lessen his guilt in the eyes of the world;
else how can he get any signatures to his
petition; how can he hope to induce the
Governor to interfere with and set aside
the judgments of the Hastings Court of
Richmond and of the Supreme Court of
Appeals of Virginia
RUS, brother of the prisoner, will have
charge of the petition. His devotion to
the unhappy condemned man has always
enlisted the sympathy of the community,
and if anv reasnns for mercy can he shoma.