The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-16
DOTSON'S DAY OF DOOM.
JEFF COATES MURDERER TO BE
HANGED JAN. a.

Upon Him - Executive Clemency
Now His Only Hope-Scenes in the
Court Room While Dotson Is There
Judge Falligant's Words to the Muir
derer.
Lucius Dotson, the murderer Of JEFF
Coates, heard the sentence OF death pro-
nounced upon him by Judge Falligans for
the second time yesterday morning In the
superior court Friday, Jan. p, is the day
fixed for the execution in the hanging cell
of the Jail
The announcement that q sentence Of
death was to be pronounced crowded the
court room. Downstairs every seat was
occupied by whites and only standing room
could be had outside the bar. The gallery !
was packed with colored people, many Of
them women. Some OF them had been on
hand from the time the court house was
opened SO as to get good positions to hear
one of their race condemned to die for his
crime.
Dotson was brought to the court house |
about $50 O'Clock and he was taken into |
Sheriff Romans office and secured TO a chair
by handcud on mis- left wrist. He was
dressed in the same suit OF clothes he had
on when arrested for Coates murder. with
a white shirt and collar and a red polka dot
tie.
The condemned murderer's right hand
was loose, and every few minutes he clasped
it across his left IL nervous way. Dotson's
eyes were turned upward 70 the ceiling and
he seemed to be praying. He paid no atten-
tion TO those around him and spoke TO no
one until his attorney, W. E Morrison,
ESQ.,, tried to cheer him up for the ordeal
ba tx-ac oh m al
was only short one, but Dotson seemed n
little more cheerful when Mr.. Morrison left
him.
WATCHING THE CONDEMNED MAN.
twas few minutes after 10 o'clock when
Judge Falligant turned to Sheriff Roman
and said: "Mr Sheriff, let the prisoner,
Lucius Dotson, be brought in"
A hush fell over the court room at once,
all whispered conversations were stopped,
and almost the stiffness Of death perveded
the room. Eyerybody's eyes were turned
office and the court room, through which
the condemned man had to come to hear
the fatal decree from outraged law.
In about two minutes Dotson appeared In
charge of Deputy Sheriffs Dunno and
Nathans. He walked in front with steady
step, with the officers close behind.
Dotson took his position to the right of
Clerk Carr's desk in almost the same spot
where he stood to hear the first death sem
tence a year and three days before, Dec
IL, 1892. Mr.. Morrison sat alongsids of
Dotson, and be urged his condemned client
to be brave. The prisoner folded his arms,
and throwing his left leg little forward,
turned his eyes toward Judge Falligant to
hear bis fate. There was painful silence
Of e few seconds as judge and prisoner
faced each other, the former apparently
bracing himself for his sad daty aud the
latter looking toward him with a face Of
mute appeal.
THE JUDGES WORDS.
Judge Falligant spoke as follows In a
most impressive manner, his voice at times
tremulous from emotion
"Lucius Dotson, the law imposes upon me
very solemn duty, a duty which always
discharge with great reluctanoy, because l
feel heavily and solemnly impressed with
the obligation upon me. Human life is q
sacred thing, and the taking Of human life
Is fearful 10 think OF, even when taken un-
der the authority of law. You have been
arraigned for aud convicted Of murder-the
taking of human life without justification.
1t is one o. the highest crimes with which
citizen can be charged, and the voice of the
law, speaking as the voice Of God, says,
'Whosoever sheddeth mans blood shall Nv
man his blood be she'd
''The law has deoreed that you must die |
and say to you as | said once before, there |
is no hope for you as far as the law is con-
cerned. You were fairly tried aud con.
victed, and though your attorney asked for
new trial With feelings of humanity |
carefully considered the evidence TO see if |
there was anything at all which would
warrant me in granting it, but there was
nothing. The judgment was just. An APP
peal was taken to the supreme court aud |
that tribunal affirmed your sentence
Everything that the law could do for you
has been done, and it is now adjudged that
you must die.
THE position in which you are placed Is
an awful lesson TO US all. We are ali hnman
creatures liable TO human passions You
stand there as mute appeal to God against
the letting loose of those passions, for she
control of ourselves and obedience to law
and order.
POINTED TO A HIGHER POWER.
II appeal to you as mana fellow being
Ito look to higher power for the mercy
you will surely receive if you seek IL in the
proper spirit. Your life has been a mis-
take, and now you are to suffer death for
the sin and mistake Of the past, but let me
say TO you as you stand on the threshold of
the grave that the one great consolation
aoout death Is the hope of better life after
the momentary pain Of the transition to the
other world
II believe in religion with the simplicity
OF a child, In the truths taught me at nv
mothers knee, and | believe IL you an
proach him who is allwse with the proper
spirit OF meekness and humility and ask for
forgiveness for your crime your prayer will
not be refused
Then Judge Falligant passed sentence of
death in the usual form, designating FRI
day, Jan. % between the hours of 10
o'clock in the morning and O'Clock in the
afternoon, as the time for carrying into ex-
ecutlon the order of the court AS he
reached the closing portion of the sentence
Judge Falligant solemnly emphasized the
words land may the Lord have mercy on
your soul"
THE MURDERER'S APPEARANCE.
While Judge Falligant was delivering his
address and reading the sentence Dotson
was extremely nervous. He kept up a
swaying motion OF the body, aud, with his
right hand folded under his left arm, CON
tinually tapped his left breast over the
heart. Several times the murderer made
swallowing movement, as if there was a
lump in his throat and his face bore evil
dences OF great mental excitement.
be gave an almost audible sigh Of relief
when the last words of his fate were pro
nounced, and walked from the court room
to the sheriff's office in quick time, as il
anxious to get away from the crowd.
While beng handcuifed by Deputy
Sheriff Symons, preparatory to being taken
ha0l ~ foal xxykf ak - l.