Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-26

officen
NOT JUSTIFIED IN ACTING.
The Governor then refers TO applications
Tor pardons making much stronger APP
peals for executive clemency than the case
OK Morgan, and concludes his letter as fol-
lows:
with all proper desire to respect the wishes
OF inc British Minister and 10 respond favorabiy
70 the appeals 50 delicately made BY our hcnora-
ple secretary OF State, though acting unonclslly,
end 10 yield 10 the opportunities Of the friends
OF me prisoner, 1t is with great regret that am
compelled 70 decide that would not be JUSTIFIED
In exercising the clemency asked in this case"
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
IL was on Saturday, Angus. "a, 1889, that young
Morgan shot and killed Mr.. John s. Coles, who
was well-to-do and influential citizen Of Able
marie. The scene OF the tragedy was on Coles's
Iarm, In the eastern part OF that county near the
village OF Warren.
On the trial, which began at Charlottesville
december ., 1889, Mr.. John Alexander, with
wnom Morgan lived and who was On eyewitness
" the shooting. testified that he and the prisoner
on the morning OF the fatal occurrence started
10 scottsville, and on their way passed through
one OF Mr.. Coless felds. which was shorter
way. They we're on horseback, and after go
ing three quarters Of mile they were
oVertaken by Ar. Coles, who rode up
and spoke to him. Mr.. Coles opened the
conversation by referring 10 some turkeys which
were on the roadside, but he turned the couver-
satton TO the subject OF trespaseing, and said 10
Alexander that neghbor had sent boy
through his place some days before and that the
boy had left tSe gate open. Mr.. Coles further
said thathe did not allow people generally TO
pass through his place. Morgan then said:
was not aware that this was your land. You told
lie about mo TO DR.. Wingneld. and when get
you together | will make you swallow IT,"
Coles said Mr.. Morgan, you are a scoundrel
and coward" Morgan then Jumped down from
his horse, and going 20 Coles pulled small
switch out OF his hands and struck Coles about
the legs and called him a scoundrel. Coles then
pulled his pistol and fred in Morgans face. Nor
gan also drew pistol AMI fred at Coles, who
fell TO the ground and soon afterwards died.
VERDICT OF THE JURY,
On December II. 1882 the Jury brought in It's
verdict fixing the prisoners punishment at
eighteen months In the peuItentiary. Mrs. Nor
gan, the prisoners mother, was In the court
room when the verdict was rendered, but she
was 80 overcome that she had to be taken from
the courtroom, and the scene which followed
was very touching. When asked by the Judge
IL he had anything against sentence being
passed upon him young Morgan arose and In
calm and clear tones said SO far as Ecy con-
science is concerned am confident tha: did
right under the circumstances, but am willing
10 submit 70 the sentence OF the Court" The
Judge then passed sentence.
Morgan bore himself remarkably well through
out the trial, and paid the strctest attention TO
all the proceedings
PERSONAL.
Tho prisoner ls quite handsome He Is twen-
ty-seven years old, but looks younger He Is
unmarried. about six feet tall, has blue eyes
and DARK hair, and for one no older has evident
ly seen much OF society and the world. In spite
OF his prison garb there Is chivslrcus bearing
about the man that indicates high breeding. His
demeanor throughout the Interview with the
Dispatch reporter was very Rentlemanly and
devoid Of any sign OF impatience, and his cheer
fulness and lack OF bitterness to any one was
very marked.