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

Mitchell secured the blooded mare of
Mr.. b. +. Turner and his light buggy. I
DIR. Y. K. Jones carriage-boy, Elijah
went to do the driving. Although
the n are was slightly lame Mr.. Turn
er did not hesitate to offer her TO
the editor for such purpose. At
1898 he left Manchester by the Peters
burgh Turnpike. The moon was
shining through 81 rift of clouds
During the entire drive to Sheriff
Gill's house a distance of % miles,
not living soul was seen on the
road.
At IL O'Clock over a rough road Mr.
Mitchell drove into Chesterfield G. III.
The jailer, Mr.. Cheatham was arous-
ed. Without stating his mission,
Mr.. Mitchell .enquired the way |
to the Sheriff's house. He was told |
he lived seven miles away near Fend- |
lays station on the Brighthope r.
r. Thanking him, they started
once more on their journey. After
driving about six miles, a white gen
tleman was aroused. He came out
just as he got out of bed, and stand
ing in the cool air patiently told
them direction to the Sheriff's house
- remarkable example of aSVir.
ginian's courtesy. At 1910 a. NJ
Mr.. Mitchell and Elijah drove into
Sheriff w. c. ellis yard. Arousing
him, he hastily dressed and came out.
The Editor made bis mission known,
handing him the official document
and told him they desired Simon
brought at once to Richmond. Its
u long drive" said he. 81 sat up
until IL O'Clock waiting I'll go in
and get ready" He came out and
hitched up his two horse team.
''Take your mare and put her in my
stable. I'll get some corn for her
III go over to Dances and get his
wagon" He returned in about an
hour, and stated that Mr.. John A..
Dance who was to accompany him
to Richmond would be over in a lit
tie while. Said he, public sentiment
changed nightly concerning that
boy. l know white men who were in
favor of hanging him, that now are
in favor of a commutation and some
Others go as far as to say he ought
to be acquitted. i am sorry cam
give you better accommodations
said he, "but my family have re-
tired" Soon
THE SOUND OF HORSES HooFs
were heard and Mr. Dance appeared
At about 2:30 A NJ, the party left
for Chesterfield, e.. H. Arriving
there the Sheriff sent Mr. Mitchell &c
arouse the jailer, and tell him tc
bring the keys to Walkers cell. Mr.
:. Z. Cheatham appeared. The
80, 4al, oll ora,
up" "Ihave just told Simon" sale
he that his sentence has been com
muted. Simon, do you know who
this man is" Yes, sir" came from
the dark recesses OF the cell. Il re
cognized his voice" What is NJ,
manner" "Mr. Mitchell, was the re
ply. liam a thousand times obIige,
for what you all done for me-" 1T
abig difference between going to tn
penitentiary and hanging, isn't it 2
Eyes, SIR" he replied. The tone O
the voice indicated deep emotion
His thanks were given as though hi
whole soul was in the task. happi
ness could not express his Joy. Lat
er, the sheriff and the jaller came
The first iron door TO the stone ja,
was unlocked, then the second. All
Cheatham had n lantern. Their
standing in the middle of the cell, wit
his left ankle chained to the ,ston
floor stood Simon Walker. He wa
happy. Mr.. Cheatham, the iaile
stopped down, the key was inserte
in the lock, a clicking sound wa
heard and the chain that manacle
his limb fell off. The suit in whic
he was to be shrouded was brought
1t was of black material. He wa
dressed in this. Put it on owe
your other clothes" said doctor
Hill, the colored attendant at I'll
Jail. This Simon quickly did. Ono
dressed, he stepped out of that &c
virtually free BOY for the first tin
inc months and on the morning tina
he was to be executed, the enclosul
in which the scaffold was built coul
no family saon in thQ distance