Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-30
GALL0WS CHEATED.
Sutton the Murderer Rescued from
WytheVllle Jail.
DARING ACT OF A MOB.
They Come to Town on a Railroad
Train and Do Quick Work.
PRISONER LOOSE D.
His Present Whereabouts Unknown
to the Officials.
A REWARD OF 81, 900.
The Governor Demands the Punishment Of
the violators OF the Law.
LOOS E D.
A REWARD OF $1,000.
The Governor Demands the Punishment Of
the violators Of the Law.

INV Va hAN 49, w.
To-day is the time fixed by the Circuit
Court Of Wythe county for the execution OF
Wayman Sutton, toe convicted murderer of
Peter Harvell, but be will not hang.
The jury and the courts believed be de-
served to meet death on the gallows and so
decreed, but it seems that be had some
friends who thought differently snd through
their ins,rumentality the law has been
cheated Of one OF its victims.
on Wednesday night sutton was to all ap-
pearsnces securely locked Up In the jail at
Wytheyie. but yesterday morning be was
again breathing the pure, fresh air ot liberty,
aud he IL now probably enjoying sweet
freedom in a distant and perhaps unknown
cline.
The following special telegram TO the Dis'
patch from Wytbevlle, received last night,
gives the particulars Of the manner In which
the murderer was set free:
Wayman sutton. convicted Of the killing
OF Peter Haryell and sentenced to hang at
this place Tomorrow. the 3O;h, was taken
from hts cell this mornins about 3 o'clock 10y
a party Of friends, and has made his escape
10 parts unknown.
His friends have been endeavoring for
some time past 70 secure his pardon or re-
prieye at the hands Of Governor Lee. aud
failing in this resorted 10 more desperate
means 10 effect his release.
It was currently reported on the streets
Yesterday that this was their design, hut no
serious thought was entertained as 10 the
truth OF the report.
The rescuing party Il estimated yariously
from twenty-five 10 one hundred, hut It is
probable that It did not consist OF more than
thirty men at the highest.
They came on the east-bound Train No. 2
from the neighborhood Of Rural Retreat and
got off the tram at the cut short distance
above town
THE GOVERNOR INFORMED.
The following telegram was received at the
Executive Mansion about hslf.past O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon, while the Governor was
At Corcoran Hall attending thanksgiving
banquet:
WYTHEyILLE, Va, November 30, 1888.
Governor Fitzhugh Lee:
A company OF one hundred to two hundred
armed meu made a raid on the Jail here last
night, Ovcrpowenng the guards, and re-
leased sutton from custody. What should
be doneg }. Il. HARERADhR.
Sheriff OF Wythe.
REWARD OFFERED.
The Governor answered at once, Offering
a reward of $1,000 for the recapturo OF the
escaped prisoner and directing that every
efiert be made TO ascertain and secure the
parties who effected his release.
Later in the evening the following was
sent:
RIcuMoND, Va, November %, 1893.
j. +. Gleayes. COmmOnWeahh's Attorney,
WytheyilIe. Va:
II It's true that rumor4 Of the release OF
sutton were in circulation The day bcioresuch
release was attempted there ba4 been gross
neglect OF duty upon the part o, officials in
not making necessary preparations 10 prevent
so great a VIOLATION o. the law.
Every step must be taken 10 arrest and
punish the tramplers upon order and law.
one thousand dollars has been offered for
the recapture Of sutton.
FITZHuGH LEE, Governor
The action Of the Governor in sending the
second dispatch was based upon Information
contained IN a private telegram which no re-
ceiyed from Wythcyllle 10 the effect that the
Tescuing party was one OF small numbers
and that proper diligence was not exercised
In irving to prevent the work Of the mob.
The Governor seemed worried about the
occufreuceland from the infOrm4tiOn before
him lid not believe the officers OF the law
had properly eXerted themselves to prevent
the rescue. "Why," said he. "there have
been seven murders and two lynchings In
Wythe county and not one Of The
guilty parties has been punished"
TINS. be said, indicated q state OF
lawlessness which might be improved II the
officers would Only DO their duty. His Ex-
celleucy said II true, as he had been INFORM
ed, that there was a report in circulation on
wednesday that steps were 10 be taken %
| liberate the prisoner. IL was gross negligence
! on The part OF the officers not 10 have sworn
in special guards 10 protect tue prison II the
services OF a military company could not be
| commanded.
no CLENENCY.
The petition presented % the Governor
asking that sutton be psrd0Ded, bic sentence
commuted, or the tiBe OF execution stayed
was signed almost exclusively BY ministers
Of the Gospel and ladies. aod Of The letter.
which came 10 the Capitol pleading the cause
| Of the condemned man very few were from
| the substantial citizens OF the county. After
maturely and earnestly considering the mat
ter. and being unable 10 fod any reason
Whatever for interfering with the course oi
the law, the Governor wrote thIs letter:
COMMONWEALTH OF ymGpuA, }
GOvgRNORs OFyIcE,
RICHMOND, Va, November "a, 1888.
Rev. A. Z. Gearhelrt, Wytbeviiie, Va.
Nv Desr Slr,-I baVe carefully considered
| "a - "a 81 Laut D.
| sutton, Of wythe county. Va, presented bj
you, as well ~ all similar COMMUNICATION
addressed 10 me by others. | have also
| thoroughly examined the facts aud evidence
| in NV possession relating 10 bis case.
| Nv Obligation 10 see that the laws OF lb'
! Commonwealth are duly executed and th'
/ decisions Of courts are respected and en-
| forced, IS well a. the duty owe 10 the peo'
/ Die Of the state A. their Executive officer, de
mand that ] should not interfere With th'
| Judgment OF the Circuit Court OF Wyih'
/ county In the case OF Waymsn sutton, fo0nC
/ guilty Of the murder OF Peter HIyell by tai
verdict Of the jury.
Yours, very respectfully,
FuZHUGH LEE.
INSPIRED pr COD TO KILL HIN.
While the papers were IN the hands OF tb
| Executive Alt lpittWlbn tSRtSA Ns1 ANt " "a
| ed to hun:
PENIcE, MARION COUNTY, KY..
August 20, 1887.
Sheriff Harkrader:
Desr Sr,-I hereby state that am the mat
that shot and killed Peter Haryell on the 10
OF May, 1857. ! was inspired by God 10 r6
move Mr.. Haryell, and done 50 b. putun
two bullets in my gun. sutton is a. innoeen
Of ihst crime ~ the ange.s In Heaven
! lie never went with me. There wa
man with me but | refuse TO cal
bis name. / deem II useless because
shot Mr. Haryell myself. psay yo
to release sutton, for l swear before Go
and His boly angels that be i not the ua
thai shot Ar. Haryel. God inspired ae I
do the deed, and did 10 then. W. r. U
Morris paid me twenty dollars and said II
would kill Mike and Bob Haryell he w0ul
pay me $40 more-s2o a scalp. shall renal
near here IL you want me.