The age-herald., 1898-02-13

4
 they would destroy a promising career and because they are the outcome of young mans imprudence in the enthusiasm of his first capital case. Richardson no doubt meant well to his client, but he opened room for big attack if the solicitor had been willing to take the breach through making his making his correspondence with Mrs Miller and that affecting her too warm. He knows that it is not within the province of an attorney to invite a so-cailed im- portant witness to leave the state and to inform Mrs. Miller that she would run the risk of complete exposure of her char acter if she appeared in the witness box against her brother. s
 MT. Richardson attempted to clear him self by acknowledging full authorship, claiming the privacy of attorney and client and stating that he had no apologies to make as he felt that the circumstances or the case justified the action, and he would write the same thing over again If ne thought it necessary to the interests he was serving.
 Capt Dinlxlns explained several proposi- tions on the motion at length and was followed by the solicitor, who won the opin- ion of the court at great odds, as he only had few hours in which 0 counteract the several days work by the defense. The motion was peremptorily refused. and an order followed for Gafford to be brought into court. He was followed by large crowd, who packed the building. The de- fendant was allowed a chair on the right. Gafford arose from his seat on a command from Judge Tyson, and, standing boldly erect, he listened to the imposition of the sentence with perfect stoicism.
 The sentence.a
 Judge Tyson saids& sJohn. Gafford, you have been convicted of murder in the first degree and the jury which found you guilty has imposed the death sentence upon you. Have you anything to say why the sen- tence. of theslaw should not be passed upon you?' ~ sA fss Gafford: Nothing, except that am not guilty of 1t atsaIl.'a
 Judge Tyson:, That, sir, was what the jury had to passAon in this case. You have been convicted of one of the highest crimes in the law of your state and jury of your peers have imposed this penalty. It is my duty as judge of this court to pro- nounce the sentence of the law and to fix the date of your execution. The law in this case provides that may fix that date not less than four nor more than eight weeks from the day of sentence. This Is done so that you may prepare for eternity to prepare that your God may meet you, therefore I appoint the 1st day of April 1898, for your execution, and the sen- tence of the law is announced by the court that the sheriff of this county keep you securely confined until that date and from that place where you are a prisoner that you shall be taken to the place pre- scribed by law and hanged by the neck until you are dead"
 As the defendant remained standing the court told him to sit down, and hurried consultation with Capt. Dinkins followed. Later stay of execution pending the ap- peal was granted, and the judge issued an order removing the prisoner to Montgomery county jail. Sheriff Shanks carried out this order on the first train leaving the town after it was issued.
 About a thousand people were assembled at the station to see the condemned man off. He was accompanied by the sister who had done so much for him. She affectionately clung to his manacled hands and, buying her face on his shoulder, burst into a passionate flood of weeping, which was unchecked when the train left with Gafford aboard.