Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-04-21


Ben White and James Robinson, the |
colored youth convicted at Manassas, |
Va, of criminal assault upon two white |
women were TO have been hanged Friday
goth inst.
1t will be remembered that Governor
O'FerralI upon the application OF the
sheriff ordered state troops to protect
them from lynching.
Monday afternoon upon his return
from dinner. Editor Mitchell found a
brioht-skin colored LADY, ,attired in black
with every Indication of trouble upon
her countenanee awaiting his arrival.
She desired to see him alone, aud as
soon IS the desired secrecy had been OBJ
tnined she told her trouble Ben White
ara 20 years was her son and she was IN
F.. zbs e}ty to - tlier ez tonsioo 81
ss,.Ses..y,rs...-.s s'.,'s se net SRs tee y
/ seessed that szer3 4 tEe d r., BODY <''.F-
/ women who had made the terrible accu-
/, sation against the boys. rhey lived
/ about two niles from Manassas and
were In very poor circumstances. Their
cooking and washing was done outside
| of their cabin at q fire on the ground
| They were not known at Manassas
The coIored young men were not guilty
of criminal assault, but had entered the
| house with their consent. Robinson
knew them, had cut wood there, and
had carried Ben White in order to have
II a good time.
L As she related the story she became
excited and declared that God would
never let them hang those innocent boys.
They are in Gods hands.
| She showed q letter from her boy where
| be stated that he had tried to get the
world off his mind. but found it hard to
. do SO. He told OF how be had cried over
1 the thought of her.
T The heart broken mother, with a look
: OF untold anguish moved uneasIly in her
| chair, while with fearful eyes she declar-
D ed her belief in the all-wise power of God
/. My boy was led off or he never would'vt
4 gone there. l learn that these womeI
u waited three weeks before they told 1t
and as they had promised them money
e and did not give it to the women, the,
l. told it. asked them why did they opel
II the door for them. They gave no salts
factory answer. They did not make an,
d outcry and they told me that the
thought my son was white.
j. They said they did not intend to hav
id anything done with the boys, but th
d, white people said il they did not, the
s. would have something done with then
er Mr.. Mitchell, for two months / hay
Iir been fighting this case.
Is. After reassuring her, Mr.. Mitchell ca
"a ried her to the residence of Mrs. Book
is Leftwich, where he left her.
Tuesday morning, he saw Rev. j.
or Holmes and Rev. w. r. Graham. The
ed readily agreed to accompany the hear
OF broken mother to the Governor Office.
There they met the brilliant young n
,ly Evan f. Chesterman, the Governors p
vate secretary. Editor Mitchell intr
ter duced the Elders to him. AS the COVER
She or was engaged if they would wait
by would see them.
rf. Here was Superintendent b. W. Lin
Tor the capable gentleman in charge Of I
iue Virginia penitentiary. He too was
.es. troduced and engaged in a conversati
ion relative TO the institution which he b
The done go much to improve.
leir The party was ushered into the GC
ernor's Office. There in the southt
ent portion of the room a little more tn
sly midway sat the great CHARLES i.
the FERRALL, whose name is known FRI
one section of this country to the otl
hin and whose acts have been discussed
I in the political circles of the old and 1
mrs. world.
rch The famous parliamentarian lool
up while the courtly private secrets
ICED introduced Editor Mitchell. The q
ernor g-asped his hand and remark
I'd, "Oh yes, read your paper every wee
and The editor introduced hevs. Holmes
,utv Graham and then Ben Whites mott
oel who had nerved herself to make the
port peal for her boy.
,th 'tI have telegraphed Mr.. Greene,
/. q. said that / have reprieved them until
nth 27th in order to allow him time in wi
to prepare his appeal to the Supr
IoeI. | Court. The writ of error will act
further stay, so that it will not be ne
ion sary to do more. The papers have
Cole- been brought in.
There is no part of my official du
J: w. which cause me more inconveni
KAN than this matter of pardon: | often
my sympathies pulling me one way
'rov. my duty another.
Editor Mitchell complimented him
xens. on his faithful discharge of his of
obligations and assured him that
har- right-thinking people, regardless of
cott. | or color had looked with marked fl
{ De- | and unalloyed pleasure upon his of
nder | acts which were IN accordance VIII
81. S. line of duty.
81 try to do my whole duty" he
? the II may make some mistakes, but
ment faithfully carry out the law"
eased talking with the sorrowing mt
about the case, while the reprieves
ITS in | their well-knOwn red seals which sto
q. the execution on Friday next lay o.
ed in desk before him, the party bid him {
meet and were soon again at the PLANE
fee.