The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-25
A LIFE FOR A LIFE.
MORRIS HOPKINS. THE MURDERER,
PAYS THE PENALTY OfHfS CRIME.
The Execution Occurred Nese-day Morn
Ing Mt the Henrico County Conrthouse.
Dispo itlon Of the Rcsy.

| MOTIFS HOPKINS, the nee'~
Henry S. Parsons, was executed In the
yard OF the Henrico county jail yester-
| dav morning The prisoner displayed
| wonderful nerve up 10 the very moment
| of his death.
When ne was taken from his cell he
walked with a firm tread to the spot OF
execution.
He mounted the steps OF the scaffold
without assistance, told his friends and
| those around him goodbye with a cold
| ness that amounted almost 10 indiIer-
ence, then calmly met his death, thereoy
| avenging the murder which ne nan
committed and satisfying the law IN us
| extreme exaction.
Hopkins spent his last night on eatth
| in praying and preparing Tor death.
| About midnight he fell asleep Dul AUS
at an early hour yesterday morning ana
| resumed his devotions
TIE PREPARATIONS
He was furnished with a new SUIT OF
] black clothes By Sheriff Solomon, when
he wore. At $50 his breakfast was taken
to him in his cell; 1t consisted OF PORK
| steak. cold lamb hot rolls and coffee.
Hopkins made a hearty meal and APP
parently enjoyed his breakfast very
much. At O'Clock he was visited by
Scott Burrell of the colored Y. Nj. c. A.,
! Rev. Archer Ferguson, coiored, OF 'ai.
vary Baptist church. and two colored
| female representatives OF the coioreu l.
| NJ. c. a. 80
These visitors prayed and sang WITH
the condemned man In his cell for ABOUT
q half an hour. They also brought sew
| eral funeral designs, made OF white car
| nations and lilies.
AT ten minutes to o'clock Sheriff
Solomon read Hopkins his death warrant.
During the reading the negro listened at
tentiveIy, but otherwise he showed nd
emotion.
THE DEAIH MARCH.
Five minutes after the reading OF the
death warrant Hopkins was brought out
of his cell by Deputy J. NJ. Noegler, as
sisted by his brother II. l.. Noegler. lie
was then handcuffed. after which the
death march was commenced. In 'front.'
walked Sheriff Solomon and Constable
Mann, then came Hopkins, while Deputy
VoegIer and his brother brought up the
rear.
Hopkins wore no shoes, but walked 10
the scaffold I'm his stocking feet. When
the condemned man entered the excfo-
sure he gazed calmly upon those VINO
were assembled TO see him die. Only the
county officials. the doctors. press repre-
sentatives and such persons as the SheriH
mad invited were present.
Burweu and FERGUSON, the two negro
preachers. also went upon the scaifoid'
They sang the hymn: Il Need Inee
Every Hour" after which Rev. Fergus
son offered a prayer
During the religious exercises Hopkins
stood up firmly, mis- eyes fixed upon the
A
he took his stand upon the drop.
When asked by Deputy Yoegler II he
had anything to say. Hopkins replied
"Well, gents, goodbye. ] have nothing
in my heart against anyone, IL Is as pure
as an angsIs in heaven" Hopkins then
again reiterated that Dick Mosby had
lied against him upon the witness stand
He then said, tell Dick to prepare to
meet me in heaven.
THE TRAP WAS SPRUNG,
After this, Deputy Noegler piniohed MS
arms and legs. adjusted the moose ana
placed the black cap over his race. HOP
kins asked for a few moments Tor 81
lent prayer. This was given him, ana
then he told Deputy Noegier that ne was
ready. No sooner had he spoken the
words than the signal was given. ana
the fatal trap was sprung
was very little contortion of the limbs,
and twelve minutes after the trap had
been sprung Drs. Chalkley, station, Lett
wich and Croxton, examined the Dody,
and pronounced life extinct. Al o'-i
O'clock the body was cut down, ana put
into a coffin which had been previously
placed at the foot of the scaffod.
The execution was most successful
one; not a hitch or delay marred II. The
trap fell easily and promptly, and there
was no slipping of the body or stretch-
ing of the rope. The Sheriff ana his
deputies are to be congratulated upon the
success OF the execution. Comparatively
few persons were about the Jail when the
hanging took place.
1t had been given out that the execu-
ton would take place at III O'Clock, but
this was a ruse upon the She-iff's part,
I'm order that the hanging might take
place with as much privacy as possible.
No one was allowed In the courthouse
yard and Sergeant Matthews. OF the
First Station, was on hand. with Off
GERS Burnett, Kuin. Vest. Robinson, and
l.. II. Hulcher, in order to see that order
was preserved on the streets around the
courthouse.
A post-mortem examination was held
upon the body by Drs. Chalkley and Crox-
ton. after it had been cut down, and II
was ascertained that death had been
caused by stranguIation. The neck was
neither dislocated nor broken. The
features were not at all distorted, and
only small dark mark around the neck
showed how the murderer had met his
death. None of the signs attendant
upon death by hanging were discovered in
Hopkins case.
THE STUDENTS HAVE THE BODY.
The body was turned over to the Med
ical College of Virginia, the law d.
reefs, the Sheriff having no option in the
matter Hopkins parents were much
grieved because they could not secure the
remains
The crime for which Hopkins was
hanged was the murder of Mr. Henry $.
Parsons on the 18th OF June. 1898. Parsons
was the manager of brick-yard at which
Hopkins worked. There was some dis
pute about the amount OF money owed
Hopkins by Parsons. This finally led TO
fight between the men. and Hopkins
struck Parsons a blow over the head
with a stick. from the effects OF which
he died. Hopkins then made his escape.
and was at large until october q. 1856
when his hiding place was disclosed by
his father. who was induced TO give his
son up on account OF the reward offered.
Hopkins was tried. and on October IL.
1894 was convicted and sentenced to be
hung
His counsel made vain and lengthy en-
deavors IN secare a second trial and vas