The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-26
HOWARD NOT TO HANG
Governor Commutes 10 Llfo Imprisonment
the Death Sentence Imposed for Arson.
STORY OF WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT
Cho British Consul Mt Chnrieston
Seeks Information Concerning
Robert Iecson Porter, ne One Time
fn Jail at Raleigh, wrongruliy
Charged with Murder.

Raleigh. n. c., Sept. 25.-(SpcciaD-
Governor Carr to-day commutcd to life
IMPRISONMENT at hard labor In the pcni-
Tertiary the death sentence of Frank
Howard. colorcd. The latter was to
have been hanged ut Salisbury tu-mur-
row for arson. He was convicted OF
setting fire to II barn. about 100 feet
from dwelling. The latter caught
fire. but was only partially consumed.
In 1855 Robert Lesson Porter was In
tail here some time. suspected of being
Scott Partin. who murdered. cut to
pieccs and concealed the bodies Of his
wife and child i'm this county in 1874
Porter was found to be II man of good
family. from Ireland. and had served in
the United States Army. He was of
unsound mind. The Wake county au-
thoritics gave him clothing and funds
and sent him away. Governor Carr to-
dav received u letter from Mr. Coctlo-
gon. British Consul at Charleston, say
ing that he Is requested by the Marquis
of Salisbury to furnish information re-
lativc to Porter. who appears to have
been wrongfully imprisoned ut RalciEh;
also rs tn his movements after leaving
Raleigh and his address, or II he Is dead
n certificate to that effect. Porter to n
remarkable degree answered the de-
scrptiou of 1slrtin.
Tho Railway Commission fixes Octo-
her rs the day for hearing the mat
ter OF the reduction of freight and pas
ScnCer rates. II does not appear that
If the rate war is really ut an end there
will be any reduction Of freight rates.
ONLY few of the roads. and these the
smaller ones. have as yet been heard on
the question Of the reduction OF passcn-
ger rates and all OF them took ground
against 1t.
At Democratic State headquarters II
| is said that many letters come in re-
rarding electoral fusion with the popu-
Isis. and that all express pleasure at
what has been done.
| Otho Wilson. the PopuliS: worker, who
| is regarded bY the leading Republicans
| MS an Invaluable ally, says as In the
Congressional contest in the Ninth Dis
| trict that he is inclined To think the
PoDuliSt.a will put up Il candidate there,
ANA ,hat w l.. RogGs will perhaps be
| the man. lie admits that there may
| not 10 nomination.. This. of couse.
would mean that the POpulistS would
| endorse Pearson. the Republican noni-
nee According To the ruling of Rcpub-
lican state Chairman Holton the Popu-
lists must vote only for their own nomi-
necs OF for Republicans.
| Ohio Wilson says Stroud. Populist,
will carry this district by 5000 To 10000.
Tie added: The Republicans are car
! rving out their contract with us per-
| fcctlv." Wilson Is n fuslOnist OF flu
sionists He doesn't like the idea of the
| Democrats having Congressional can
didates. certainly in this and some other
districts. and says: with n triangular
| ticket the Republicans will carry most
| of the districts"
1t is stated that in The Third District
the Rcpublicans really wanted TO make
a nomination. but Hiram l.. Grant,
! treasurer OF the Republican State Com
mittcc made his appearance on the
scene ana the Pooulist nominee was
| quickly endorsed.
/ -. SDil hut in n. iht n -, lot
Idha PopulistS in three counties have en-
iIlo!ecd Richmond Pearson. Republican,
Hoi Congress.
Rcpnblicans say they have fused with
| the pouu!sts in over fifty counties.
! P0pIilists and Democrats have fused in
| seven counties. among these being Yad-
kin. Tvrcll. Cumberland, Forsyth and
| NVaebipginn