Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-24
LAST DAY ON EARTH.
Hopkins 10 Be Hanged In the County
Jail.Yard To-Day.
FURTHER CLEMENCY DENIED.
The Governor Declines to Interfere,
and Details Are Arranged for the
ExccutIon-Frank Smiths Mother
Visits Him-County News.

This Is Morris Hopkins's last day on
this earth. Before Il o'clock to-day the
viii have explated the murder OF Mr..
Henry Parsons on the scanold and the
gallows will have claimed another VIC
tim.
sir. W ". Justis. the negrO's counsel
who has been indefatigable n his efforts
10 save the life OF his client, made one
last appeal TO the Governor yesterday
for clemency. but in vain. Governor
OFerrall stated that he could gee no ex-
tenuating circumstances or any reason
whatsoever for any further interference
and told the lawyer firmly that the law
must take it's course.
Mr.. William II. Beveridge accompanied
Mr.. Justis to the Executive Office and
conveyed the Governors final decision
10 the doomed man. Morris's face
bianched perceptibly when the news was
impaired 10 him. lie had. as Is natural,
chung to even this hope. and upon being
rudcly awakened from this, HIS last dream
OF liberty was dispelled. Hopkins bore
up as best he could. and TO Dispatch re-
porter, who called on him shortly after
Mr.. Beyeridges visit. be said that now
that he had nothing 10 hope for on this
earth: he had turned his hopes 20 God
and was ready 10 meet his Maker. lie
said he had no further statement 10
make, except TO reiterate that the
testimony Of Dick Mosby. which was
most eliminating. was false. Said he: Il
have now no III feelings toward any one.
but, as / expect to meet my God, that
man, Dick MCsby, lied on me-
PREACHERS TO BE PRESENT
Several negro preachers have called on
Morris. and from them ne has made his
selection of those who will ascend the
scaffold with him and minister 10 his
last spiritual wants. They are Rrvs.
Archer Ferguson. Of the Calvary Bap-
list church. and Scott Burrell, Of the
colored Young Mems Christian Associa-
zion OF this city, and Linn Ross, Of Gill
field church. Fowhatan county.
The necro will be led from his cell 70
the gallows by Deputy John VI Noe.ger,
who VIII be assisted in adjusting the
moose and the black cap by his brother,
special officer. Sheriff Simon Solomon
and Deputy Joseph Mann viii be con-
ccaled in a lower room Of the court
house. Just I'm front of the scanold, and
they will pull the cord which will release
the trap and launch Morris into eternity.
Only representatives, Of the press and
county OlllcidlS VIII It t'Iiuititu 10 WIZ
ness the execution. which Will be conduct
I'd with all possible privacy.
smiths Mother Visits Him.
Still no decision has been reached In the
case Of Thos. II. Parker alias Frank Lock-
wood Smith. the gold-brick man charged
with swindllng \. W. Withers. Of
| Gloucester out Of $500. and there Is
every probability that it wifi result in a
misirial The argument IN the case was
| concluded East Thursday. and during the
! five DAYS in which the jury have been
| locked up together nothing has been heard
| from III m except the laconic and mo-
notonous statement. I'VE have not
agreed"
The case Is becoming very wearisome
TO the public. and instead OF the court
room being thronged as was the case for
the first few days. the room is compare
lively empty at all times. Only corpo-
rails guard remained throughout yester-
day.
During the afternoon session OF the
court the prisoners mother, hand
some elderly lady OF dignihod
mien. occupied seat next 10
him. She arrived in thu city yesterday,
accompanied by Lawyer Dupont Smith.
OF Kansas. who went TO New York after
her Upon her arrival at the courthouse
she was shown directly 10 her sons apart
ment. and the meeting was pathetic and
aGectiOnate The prisoners mother, to
whom he seems very eply attached, IL
at the Imperial. she naturally desires 10
avoid publicity, and her name does not
appear Oh the register.
The jury were again lock up for the
night at the Exchange Hotel. They were
getting very tired Of confinement, and
whenever they make their app arance in
~ "a l-
| best Of humor. One of the Jurors remark
"a in hearing Of a Dispatch man that h.
| was getting homcsick
Judge Wickham j. evidently determined
upon getting a verdict from the jury. If
| II be possible. and will probably hold
| them together for an indefinite time yet.
| II said 70 a Dispatch man yesterday that
| he couldn't say just what he would do.
Other County News Items.
Thomas Green the colored man who
: charged with having assaulted Hester
| Stewart. a e-year-old colored girl. was
| before Magistrate Vincent yesterday, ana
| his case WAS continued for a week. Mr..
| ". #. Bcveridge Is counsel for the ac-
! cused. and Mr.. George ". Thomas repre-
sents the Commonw wealth
! While Sledge a cOlored boy. was
! charged before Justice Lewis with hav-
/ ing stolen lot Of geese from George
Morton. He was sent TO jail for thirty
| days
Sheriff solomon yesterlay received a
| letter from the wife of Calvin Anderson,
a co.0red man serving a siX-months' sen
| tcnce for felony. The mans wife and
| four children live al 2225 Moore street, and
| all Of IN m ara sick. The letter makes
a pathetic appeal 70 the man 10 come
/ home and do something FOR them. The
| neigi.pors have done all they can for
them. The woman says she has had no.
thing 20 eat for two days. She has a
| baby about a month old.
Mr. ". II. Beyeridg,. 10 whom the
| letter was shown. at once raised purse
| for the unfortunate woman, which was
| contributed by Messrs. Simon solomon,
| : b. CHM. George y. Griffin. William
| Voecler. Dr. NJ Il. Curtis, Bookmaker
| Emery, and Mr. Jennings