Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1889-11-16

Mr.. Robinson stated that he had
spent his time and means on the boy.
/ He had known him from childhood
ana took an active interest in the
case. Il have a boy, said he "a-
bout the same age and | do not
know when misfortune may befall
him. He haG observed that a re-
prieve had been secured for him, and
he thought some other lawyer had
been engaged in the case Mr.. Mitch
ell assured him to the contrary ex-
planning how it was. He told him he
desired him to take up the case. Mr..
Robinson replied that it was almost
too late; he did not see what could
well be done, as it was then Wednes-
day afternoon and the boy was to be
hanged the following Friday.
MIR. Mitchell told him he would en-
gage him and stand personally re-
spOnsible for the expense. He de-
sired him TO write q letter to Gov
ernOr Lee whom Mr.. Mitchell had
learned from the newspapers was at
Natural Bridge, Va. Mrs Robinson
wrote the letter asking for a reprieve
upon the grounds of newly discover
eel evidence and Editor Mitchell took
NJ to the Western Union Office and
telegraphed it to Governor Lee.
Coming over TO Richmond he secured
the services OF James H. Hayes. ESQ.
ana got HIM to also telegraph Gov.
Lee from Richmond. Gov. Lee tele-
graphed to Messrs. Robinson and
Hayes, "Nill be in Richmond Thurs
day at 6:l5 p. IN. Meet me. - The
boy was to hang the next day T Fri
dayl between the hours of sunrise
and sunset.
Mr.. Robinson came over from
Petersburg at 6 o'clock Thursday
evening and the two called on Gov.
Lee at his Mansion at .. m. They
remained there until nearly 10 O'Clock
when they came over to the PLANET
Office bearing n reprieve for two
weeks. The instructions were that
as it was
MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
it was to be delivered bv n trust-
worthy messenger at Chesterfield G.
H., 10y the next morning. Mr.. Mitch
ell took the reprieve and told the
gentlemen that it would be placed
there in the hands of the Sheriff.
Chesterfield G. H. is 16 miles from
Richmond by the roadway. Every
train had left and there was no way
to get there save to walk or drive.
After one other Intellectual attempt.
he proceeded to the residence of DIR
X. +. Jones, 800 w. Leigh st. doc
tor, | want your horse. | have to
reach Chesterfield c. H., before to-
morrow morning, and have no time
TO delay was his greeting. The
Doctor had Just gotten out of bed to
answer the call. Mr. Mitchell threw
the reprieve on tlSe desk 10 L. .-,.I
s.is ssitsu n,SAs would rather paw
Tor n horse from a livery stable than
TO let my horse 90 out on such n
night as this but in such n case as
this | suppose I'll let you have him. y
lie went out to the stable. his driv-
er being away and put the harness
on his horse.
Il haven't any buggy light enough
Tor you to drive, said he That's
all right, was the reply. "Hr. Henry
Cook has one and | know he'll let me
have it," Editor Mitchell got
astride of the horse and rode down
to Mr.. Cooks place of business.
Alter much hampering on the door
he aroused Mr.. Cook, and all of the
family. He made his mission known.
Certainly you caS get it, >" said he.
L don know who wouldn't let YOU
have anything for such purpose as
that. Tell John to come herel"
Soon the buggy vas run out, the
horse hltched up and Mr.. Cooks son.
John volunteered tc accompany Mr..
Mitchell on that midnight Journey.
1t was dark, cloudyand was raining
slightly. At fifteen minutes to
Twelve O'Clock, they drove across
Mayo's Bridge leading into Manches-
ter.
Mr.. Mitchell had aever been over
the road before. Tie trees on the
road made the darkness denser. On
account OF the heavy rains the road
was bad and muddy They drove on
Tor miles, until it was shought advis-
able TO enquire the way. The bay-
ing OF the hounds made it almost i'm
possible to awaken any one. One
man aroused enough, to saw that
they should drive tive miles and a
hall down the road and take the fork
to the right. In the darkness they
missed it. At about $50 a. M. Fri
day mornil Mr. MitciA,l aroused a
white famil A gentIet 4. 80. !.
the door, Upon enquirine evGeiie
way to Chesterfield c. H., he said
=" Why you Dire 2A miles from Peters
burg and = miles from Chesterfield
{. H. Turning the horses head in
the direction from whence they had
come he made one more enquiry.
Driving five miles, as the first
streaks of dawn was showing itself,
jumping over bushes the Editor en-
CURED at "a shanty from which he
saw curls of smoke issuing. A col
ored man appeared.
Take that road at the top Of the
hill sir, and you can't miss it if you
try. 1t is seven miles from here to