The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-26
NEWS OF THE STATE At LARGE
The Latest Intelligence of Interest
From the State Capital.
The Hanging of Philip Norman Mich
las for the Murder of Mills and
Wilkerson in December. 1892.
The Case Of the Lunen-
burg Murderers.
Special Dispatch 10 the vireintau.

RICHMOND, Va, July 26.-Philip
Norman Nicholas was hanged in the
Jail yard at Hsnrico Courthouse this
morning for the murder of James
Mills aud Judson Wilkerson by drown
ing IN December, 1892. He died game.
L hose who had predicted that he would
not walk to the scafIold found them
selves mistaken. Not only was he very
calm aud cool hut he was far less
nervous thau are most persons under
similar circumstances. Nicholas spent
most of the night III spiritual devo-
tions. He was up early and ate light
breakfast. AT G o'clock Bishop
Van de; Vyver and Father Welbers,
two Franciscan Sisters and delegation
from the McGili Catholic Union called
at the jail aud were at once admitted
into the presence of the cundem ned
man. Father Welbers said mess. after
which the Bishop confirmed Nicholas
as q member Of the Catholic Church.
The Bishop left immediately, but
Father Nelbers remained with the pris.
orer to the end, reading aud praying
with him. The murderer took AN
nfiectionate leave OF sil the jail people
aud reporters. The march TO the scat
iold WAS commenced at 10 O'Clock.
Nicholas walked with a firm step. He
made no confession. had nothing to
say, except to bid farewell to the little
crowd about him.
After prayer by Father Welbers the
moose was quickly adjusted aud the
drop fell at lu:06. The neck was not
broken, but death WIS caused bv
strsngu lntion. The features were worry
much dlsGgured, At 1921 the body
was cut down, and after the autopsy
had been made, the remains were
turned over to relatives of deceased.
Nicholas said nothing to indicate his
guilt and many people believe him in .
nocent. He, however, last night, when
asked by an old friend if he committed
the murders, refused to make any reply
and wept bitterly
Hon. George ID. Wise and Judge
Flournoy. who hn7e undertaken the
task of defending the woman charged
with the Lunerhurg murder were in
conference day, bat had no state
meut to make. Tney realize that the
| case is an unusual one, but they have
not decided how they will proceed to
| secure u new trial.
AS none OF the rulings Of the Court
| were excepted to during the trial. It
| will he difficult to get the case before
the Court of Appeals. Messrs. Wise
anu L iOl'l my EuNeNeT, lDIDk IDey are
| employed IN a,righteous cause and they
| viii not spare time nor expense in Sc
curing a new trial. The negro, Mar
rable now declares that the white man S
story 10 the only true one that he has
told.
L. John Dern, the man who claims to
have been beaten and driven out of
Lunenburg county by persons engaged
IN tho Manufacture and sale of illicit
| whiskey, WAS with his family taken
from the aims house to lay by mem
bers of the German Benevolent So.
| ciety aud Wac provided with comfor-
table quarters. Efforts will be made
70 get MN work
Dern denies tho'fstory that all his
troubles began by his refusal TO allow
certain young men to visit his niece.
lie says before lie bought the farm the
house was used for the manufacture OF
moonshine whlskey, and because he
would not allow the business TO 20 on
1t was determined to run him out of
the country,