The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-11-04
ROBERT MORTON
TO HANG TO-DAY.
He Was Baptized in Jail in the Pres
ence Of Friends.
PREPARED TO MEET HIS FATE.
The State Anatomical Board Claims
His Body-Maj. Lassiter's Reasons
for Declining TO Endorse an APP
piication for n Respite.

Robert Morton, a negro. who was con-
victed some months ago In the Corpora
ton Court OF this city. OF the murder
OF George Westmoreland. and sentenced
TO be hanged. will be executed in the
3aa-yard of this city tomorrow between
10 A. NJ ard T.. NJ.
Morton was baptized this afternoon at
the Jail by Rev. Bowman, assisted by
Rev. Farrell. in the presence of his faith
er. mother and few intimate friends.
The scene was very solemn and impress
sive one.
Morton says that he is prepared to
meet the awful fate that awaits him.
Dr. Il. /. Hume. representing the State
Anatomical Board, OF Richmond, arrived
here tonight for the purpose OF claim
ing the body Of Morton.
WELLS-BLANKENS
Mr.. w IL Wells and Miss Daisy II.
Blankenship were quietly married to-
night at o'clock by Rev w.
A. r. Goodwin. rector of 81. John 5
Episcopal church. Mr.. W. 5. Hays was
best man. and Miss Annie Il. Crowder
maid Of honor.
The groom is a popular young ma
chinist. aud the bride Is an attractive
young lady of Ettrick. Chesterfield coun-
~. The mother and sister of the groom
resides In Richmond. The marriage was
a great surprise to the friends Of the
contracting parties.
MAJOR LASSITER's LETTER.
The letter sent by Major Francis Rives
Lassiter to Hon. Charles +. Collier TINS
morning says;
have carefully considered the memo
randa OF telephone conversation between
yourself and the Governor. in regard to
the application made by you for re-
spite for Robert Morton. l have con-
ferred 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 "a respite Of sentence. am by no
means satisfied that the act of the pris-
oner IN giving the alarm Of fire was
more than the natural impulse of per-
son I'm danger. and even If he had not
given the notice the prisoners in the cell
above him did give an alarm almost SIM
ultaneousy.
MORTON READY TO DIE
/ am advised that Morton has received
consultations of religion and now pro-
fesses his readiness to meet his fate. lie
has taken leave Of his family; is un-
advised of the present application in his
behalf. and awaits calmly the final scene
tomorrow.
Believing as l do chat the crime was
without excuse. the punishment should
not be delayed. ] feel that it would not
be merciful to the prisoner to grant
another hopeless delay In the interest
of mercy. as well as justice, l deem
q reprieve inadvisable
TOBACCO SALES.
The best price that has been obtained
for loose tobacco sold since the opening
of the season was that for pile of go
pounds sold at Oaks warehouse Yester-
day for Robert Gibbs & Bro. of Dinwid-
die county. The price obtained was Sli23
per hundred pounds
A meeting of the board Of visitors of
the Virginia Normal and Collegiate In
stitute will be held on Thursday. Novem-
Der 10th. a new teacher will be elected
TO fill a vacancy In the normal depart
ment
WEDDING CARDS
Cards OF invitation are out for the mar
rage of Miss Essie Riddick Stradman and
Mr.. Robert T. Turner. on Thursday
morning next at $3.50 o'clock at Washing
ton Street NJ. +. Church. The bride-elect
IS a daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs f. T.
Stradman. OF this city.
LITERARY CLUB.
A literary society has been organized
here and the committee on organization
will recommend that it be called The |
Tuesday Clubs and also the election of |
"A president. one lady vice-president and |
one gentleman vice-pre sident a secretary, |
two reporting secretaries. business editor |
also a programme committee, consisting of |
the president ana secretary, eX-ofhcio |
and four members 70 be appointed by
the president. The committee also recon- |
mends that meetings be held every Tues |
Gay night. The scope Of the club will |
be Instrumental and vocal music, read |
ings, Rotations one substantial paper |
each meeting. and a discussion thereof |
These papers will embrace literary. his !
torical. philosophical. sociological eco |
nomical and scientific subjects. the pre- |
scntation and discussion OF current !
events and topics, authors, novels, poets |
etc.
MONEY IN HIS SOCKS.
j. r. Mclaughlin of Ettrick, Chester |
field county. has been visiting his family
near Ford ; Depot, about twenty miles /
from Petersburg. lie started on his return |
home this morning but missed the train. |
lie then put on foot down the railroad |
track for this place where he arrived |
this forenoon. Shortly after he left |
Ford's. Mcl.aughlin was held up by six |
men, two white and four colored' who de- |
manded his money.
Mclaughlin gave 10 the men thirteen |
cents which he had in his vest pocket
Mclaughlin, however, had four dollars |
stuck away in his socks which he did not |
surrender TO the "Hod-up" party.
Mr.. Powhatan Weisegar. formerly of |
Richmond. now of New York. is the guest |
OF Captain Nelson T. Patterson.
No CLEMENcY FOR MORTON.
Major Francis Rivcs Lassiter who was
the Commonwealth y Attorney that prose
cuted Robert Morton. the negro VINO is TO
be hanged In the Jai,-yard mere to-nor-
row for murder. this morning wrote a |
communicable TO lin. Charles +. Col |
lier, who Is trying to secure respite Tor |
Morton In which he says that ne cannot |
approve the Application FOR respite OF
sentence and believing as he does that
the crime was without excuse the PUNISH
ment should not be delayed
Mr.. W. A Fem, who has been seriausly
sick, Is somewhat improved.
WAS INSURED.
The damage TO the city jail by fire |
IS covered by Insurance In the Virginia |
Mutual and the building will be imme-
diately repaired.
H. c. Newscm. white man from North |
Carolina. has been arrested on the charge
OF stealing a fine OK from Mr.. X. y.
Mayes. in Dinwiddte county. tustAoutside (
OF the city. The animal was recovered |
from a butcher 90 whom Newsom had |
sold him. lie represented that he had a
drove OF cattle just outside OF the city, |
The mayor sent him on 10 the next term
OF the Hastings Court for trial.
Some seventv-ive or more ladies and
gentlemen met Tuesday night az the
Southern Female College 10 organize
literary club. Mr.. James NJ. snick, Jr,
was made temporary chairman. and Mr..
=. w. Arlington temporary secretary.