The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-15
CAME HOME DRINK .

Teatherman came home from his work
Ink. and his bottle of liquor, which
had not yet emptied he hid in the
lss near the house. lie went into the
use. asked his wife for his pistol, say
he wanted il TO go and shoot a
an who had murdered an engineer on
E road by the name of Blakey.'
His wife would not get him his pistol,
nd he threatened her with an old Bowie
nife, which was concealed upstairs.
She got the knife first and hid II.
Weatherman then went to the wood
pile, picked up his axe, and came on
back, sharpening IL with a small stone.
His wife had just come down from hid
ng the Bowie knife and was standing
by a table. when he walked up behind
her. and buried the blade of the axe
N her brain.
DRAINED BEFORE HER CHILDREN.
Some OF the smaller children were In
he room when the crime was commit
ted
Weatherman walked out TO the depot,
which was only "a few hundred yards
distant, and told the people he had killed
his wife and wanted TO give himself up.
YWeatherman, under the indictment round
Against him. December n, 1871, elected
O be tried in the Circuit Court, and was
ried at the April term, 1872
Not being able TO fee counsel. the
Court assigned him Mr.. w. ID. TomD-
kins. one of the ablest attorneys at the
lIillsvillc bar. lie entered the plea of
Insanity, and defended him with the
greatest earnestness aud ability. but the
hurry returned a verdict of murder in the
birst degree. A writ OF error was OBJ
aimed, and the case argued before the
,ourt of Appeals. in June. 1873, but the
collrt affirmed the Judgment Of the Cir
euit Court.
A rehear1ng was granted September,
1904. and again argued by his counsel be-
fore the Court OF Appeals. in june 1923,
he court a second time affirming the
Judgment OF the Circuit Court.
SENTENCE PRONOUNCED.
At the November term OF the Circuit
tourt. 1895. Weatherman was sentenced
o be hung on January 81, los6 A large
petition was now sent TO Governor OFer-
rail-. asking the commutatiOn OF his
heath sentence to lite imprisonment
which was refused. Counsel then OBJ
aimed a stay of execution until February
bth till Drs. Preston. Blacktord. ana
Moncurc. from the three insane asylums
bf the State. could make an examination
md report As 10 his insanity
They, after a careful examination, re-
orted II. "feigned insanity" Then Gov
rnor O'Ferrall telegraphed that the exc
kstion should proceed on the l4th.
HIS CONFESSION.
lust before going TO the scanoid. Wealth
man gave ont ms written confession,
nich Is, I'm substance, as follows
II am condemned to die. and / know
have not had fair trial. II my
nseI. W. -. Tompkns. could have
a showing my condition would have
different from what II is to-day. l
not see why they are going 70 hang
A lot OF rascais took my wife from
and ruined my daughter. My heart
melted In my bosom with love for
wife TN my brain would whrl In
ead. My tears have dried in balls
for my wife and children. 1 hope
ord may forgive for they
my wife and daughter. | had
die than Keep a house OF il-fame
can hang me, but they can't hurt
al.
bpe the Good Shepherd will gather
around his white throne In Heaven
n these days, where We can't be
ed. l."
10 appointed hour the trap was
and John Weatherman paid the
OF his crime.