Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-04
MORTON THE MURDERER.
Mr. Lassiter Advises Against Fur
Their Respifc-Petcrsbur Notes.

PETERSBURG, VA, November g.
Special before conserving to consider
a further application for respite in the
case OF Robert Morton (colored). under
sentence to be executed tomorrow for
the murder of George Westmoreland,
counsel for the prisoner were requested
by the Governor to consult with, and
obtain an expression Of opinion from, the
commemorative Attorney. The ground
on which the further mercy Of the Execu-
tive was asked was the fact the
alarm OF the midnight fire in the city
jail was given by Morton.
Major Francis II. Lassiter was the Com
monwealths Attorney at the time of
Morton's trial, and it was he who prose-
cuted the prisoner To conviction. Major
Iassiter to-day addressed the following
communication to Mortons counsel:
Petersburg, Va, November 8, 1898.
Hon. Charles +. Collier, Attorney for
Robert Morton:
My Dear Sir,-I have carefully consid-
cred the memoranda of telephone COM
municaton between yourself and the
Governor in regard to the application
made by you for respite for Morton. l
have conferred with the Judge, Sheriff.
and his deputies.
Though it would give me pleasure to
meet your wishes in this regard, / cannot
approve the application for respite of
sentence.
/ am by no means satisfied that
the act of the prisoner in giving the
alarm of fire was more than the natural
impulse Of a person in danger, and even
If he had not given the notice, the prison.
crs in the cell above him did give an
alarm almost simultaneously.
l am advised that Morton has received
the consolation of religion. and now pro-
fosses his readiness to meet his fate. He
has taken leave of his family. is unad-
vsed Of the present application in his
behalf, and awaits calmly the final scene
tomorrow.
Believing. as / do, that the crime was
without excuse, the punishment should
not be delayed. i fear it would not he
mercful to the prisoner to grant another
hopeless delay. In the interest of mercy,
as well as Of justice. l deem respite
inadvisable. Very respectfully,
FRANCIS r. LASSITER,
Formerly commemorative Attorney.
This communication was telephoned to
the Governor, but as yet no response has
been received. It is not believed that the
Governor will grant any further respite.
pay the penalty of his crime on the scat
fold tomorrow morning. Everything is
in readiness for the execution.
Having made full profession of religion,
Morton was this afternoon baptized by
Rev T. NJ. Bowman OF the High-Street
(colored) Baptist church, In the presence
of other ministers. and of a number of his
friends. The exercises were impressive
All day long the friends of the condemned
man have been calling TO see him and
bid him farewell Among the visitors !
We're his father and mother.
Benjamin f. Hume. Of the Richmond |
Medical college, arrived In the city this /
evening, bringing with him an order on |
Sheriff Watson for the remains. Mr.. |
Hume brought with him a coffin, and act |
ing under the law Sheriff Watson will |
turn Morton's body over TO Mr.. Hume i'm |
mediately after the hanging. Morton ate |
q hearty supper tonight, and requested |
the Sheriff to have a breakfast of fried |
oysters prepared for him in the morning. |
that he was very fond of fried |
oysters.
Cards have been issued to the marriage |
Of Miss Essie Riddick. daughter Of Mr.. /
and Mrs. f. T. Strailman, to Mr.. Robert !
p. Turner, on Thursday morning, Novem-
Der 10th. at $3.50 o'clock. at Washington /
Street Methodist Episcopal church.
Miss Willie II. Phillips, of Richmond. !
who had for some time been visiting her
sister Mrs. j. W. Holt, on High street, |
died this morning at o'clock. She was
Is years old, and had long been in I'll
health. She was member of Leigh |
Street Baptist church. Richmond. The
nterrent will be in Blandford Cemetery. |
While riding his bicycle several days
ago. Mr.. Samuel A. Mann, Commissioner
Of the Revenue for the Second District, in
Chesterfield county. fell and broke his
les He has been a great sufferer,
4 meeting of the Board of Directors Of
he Richmond. Petersburg and Carolina
-ailroad was scheduled for to-day. but The
members OF the board have not yet ell
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