Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-05-04

discovered might be introduced. 1t
was a tragic scene in the confines of
the gloomy prison that took place
when Dick MOsby, in response to the
statement that Hopkins wanted to see
him went to his cell. There the con-
demned man charged him boldly with
having lied or him, declaring that he
did not meet him on the morning of
the row with Mr.. Parsons.
As Hopkins afterwards told us Mos
by picked his fingers, endeavOred to
explain what he did say and bowed his
head. Mr.. Justis called to see us and
requested that we see Dick MOsby and
find out what we could concerning the
matter.
He said that the Governor would
give a further extension of ten days
and Hopkins would not be hanged on
the oath. This information had been
communicated to the condemned youth
and within about fifteen hours before
he expected a further reprieve.
A VISIT TO THE WITNESS.
We visited Dick Mosby at his resi-
dence on Cumberland Street. He com
planned of having stuck fish-hook in
his fingers. He has only one leg, but
walks by the aid of wooden support.
He said that he was sorry for Hop
kins. He was near the lake with
COW on the morning of the row. Hop
kins told him he was going over to the
brick-yard. They had not given in his
right time.
lie told Hopkins that IL one of the
other boss-men had the fixing of it he
was more than apt to make il all right.
Hopkins said he was going over there
and if they didn't pay him there would
be some crippiing done. He did not
say he would kill anybody, nor inti-
mate that he had any such intention.
He MOsby was sorry ne had anything
to do with it. He had told about see
ing Hopkins and the magistrate had
summoned him TO court. This infOr-
nation was communicated to the coun
sci and he said that the fact that Hop
kins was alleged TO have intended to
have a row showed premeditation.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT MADE.
He had decided to send Mr.. w. H..
Beveridge and another gentleman up
to Mosby and see if they could not get
him to admit that he told a false-hOod
about the matter This he declared to
he about Che only chance TO save Hop
kins. The failure Of these white gem
tlemen in their mission ended the mat
ter and on April 23d, Lawyer Justis
went to Hopkins cell and told him that
he had done ali he could. Mr.. William
5. Selden came TO our residence that
afternoon with the message that the
condemned youth desired to see us.
THE DAY BEFORE THE EXECUTION.
We went TO the Jail, asked him how
he felt. He said quite well, although
the visit of his mother to his cell made
him feel quite badly. She was over
come when she saw him, and fell TO
the floor. We told him that the out
look was dark.
eyes," he said, ''the jailer told me
that PIl be hanged between and
O'Clock tomorrow morning" He talk
ed cOolly about the matter, declared
his faith in Christ and listened careful
ly to all we had to say. His last words
were, "Mr. Mitchell. do what you can
for me-" But it was too late. The
curtain had dropped, the drama had
| ended and we knew that ere the sun
had set on the next day all that was
mortal OF Norris Hopkins would be
| launched into eternity.
We had to leave that evening for
| Petersburg and Sheriff Solomon a few
moments later told us if we desired to
| witness the execution, we would have
| TO be there before o'clock in the
/ morning. as it would take place before
the crowd assembled.
1t was precisely 1855 A. M. wher
] Sheriff Solomon entered the Jail with
| the death warrant. He found Hopkins
| participating IN a song service which
was being conducted by Rev. Scott C.
Burrell, of the colored Y. M. G.. A
In the cell with the prisoner were
Misses Minnie Sears and Annie Hop
| kins, (the latter no relation to Morris
who had arrived few minutes before
They represented the WOmen's Auxil
liary of the Association. Rev. Archie,
Ferguson, the pastor of Calvary Bapt
| Church, colored, and Rev. James II
Williams were also there, and in tn
corridor outside the cell stood IA grou1
| of reporters. At the close of tn
hymn the sheriff said:
Morris, / have come to read tn
death warrant to you"
THE DEATH WARRANT READ.
The prisoner bowed his head and re
piled "All right, sir, Pm ready"
The tender hearted sheriff was OF
viously more i'll at ease than anyon
present. There was a tremOr in hi
. voice throughout the reading and h
drew a long breath of relief at the cor
clusiOn of his disagreeable task. II
enjOined the prisoner to be ready in
few minutes to depart for the scaffOl
and went out to complete the prelin
= inaries. The religious service Wa
brought TO an immediate close.
Five minutes after the reading of I'll
!: | death warrant Hopkins was brougl
out of his cell by Deputy J. M Voegl'
s assisted by his brother, r. l.. VOegle
He was then handcuffed, after whiC
e the death march was commenced.
t front walked Sheriff Solomon and Coz
g stable Mann, then came Hopkins, whi
n | Deputy Voegler and his brothl
!: brought up the rear.
THE MARCH TO THE GALLOws.
Two preachers, Revs. Ferguson aI
Burrell and the ladies followed clio
n behind Hopkins and the deputy she
e ifs. Instinctively the privileged on
n of the small crowd outside the doors
e the Jail fell into line in twOs and thre
q behind the prisoner as he emerg,
& from the prison entrance. Across t.
) court yard the procession marched 81
emnly and silently. The wicket ga
D, of the enclosure within which the IN
q chine of death had been construct
l. swung open, and as the last m
Is passed in it was closed and qua
l. took up his position in front of it.
s. The sheriff withdrew as the prison
s. ascended the steps of the scaffold
N the custody of the deputies and folio
'e ed by the two cOlOred ministers w
were to administer the last spiritt
consolation.