Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-26
ASKED FOR PRAYERS.
Dramatic Incidents Connected
With The Sentence Of Price
ri AM INNOCENT" SAID He,
But He Bears the CommOnXealth's
Attorney No III Will.
JUDGE CRUrE's GRAVE REMARKS.
The saddest of All His Judicial
Duties-Iic Has known the Aged
Prisoner and HIS Family for
Years
Years

FARMVILLE, VA, August 25.-(spe.
was brought into Prince Edward Court
and received the sentence OF death for the
murder OF Mr.. Hall Carter on the morn
ing OF July 29th last. When asked TO
stand up and speak. il he had anything
to say why Judgment should not now ba
passed." the aged prisoner stood erecy
and replied: yes. am an innocent man
before God my Maker. In whose presence
l soon shall come. l am innocent OF muir
der, and have not had justice shown me-"
He repeated several times that justice had
not been done him. and then. lifting his
eyes heavenward. he offered fervont
prayer. asking for divine aid 10 dispel
from his heart and mind every harsh
feeling ever entertained to his fellow
man. II was one Of the saddest and most
solemn scenes ever enacted in court.
CAREFULLY AND AYERFUl.LY
TRIED.
In the presence OF not more than
dozen persons. and amidst severe thun-
der-storm. the sentence of the court was
pronounced. The prisoner asked that ne
be allowed to put his chair near tho
Judges stand, and remain seated. which
was done. lie listened intenty TO every
word spoken.
Judge Crute. I'm dlscharging his painful
duty. spoke as follows: "Mr. Price. TO mo
this IS the saddest duty of my official life.
extending through three and into tho
fourth term. have had to pronounce the
death sentence in more cases than one.
but never before have been called upon
to say 10 one whom had known for near
ly lifetime, and whose family l have
known, that on given day Thou shalt
die You have been carefully and prayer
/ fully tried by as good a jury as was ever
ompanellcd i'm this Commonwealth. You
! have had the strong arm Of the law 10
! produce every witness asked for. You
Rave been prosecuted by an attorney
whose earnest effort was 10 bring 10 light
the whole truth, and who, notwithstand-
ing the great ability with which he per-
formed his duty yet was absolutely free
from bitterness. and who was actuated by
desire 90 do you justice.
THE PRISONERS ABLE COUNSEL.
I'm your behalf you bad as your council
one who, I'm the opinion OF the court, Is
second 10 not one In our State and who
exercised a degree OF fidelity, energy, and
ability that / have never seen equaned.
have carefully and with all OF the ability
that God has given me, striyen 10 know
my whole duty In this ease. | can see no.
thing but justice and truth I'm all OF tho
proceedings, and this being true. II IL my
very sad duty 10 say 10 YOU that the sem
tence OF the court is that on the 10th day
Of October. 1888. at the usual place Of exc
cution I'm the jail-yard Of this county, be-
tween the hours OF A. NJ. and 6 L. NJ,
YOU be hanged boy the neck until dead by
the proper officials. / have given YOU
every day on earth that the law permits
ne. and | trust that. with the aid of the
Christian people OF our community, you
will use every day in a sincere humble
and earnest desire TO prepare 10 meet
your God"
"ASA, HAVE NO HARD FEELINGS"
At the conclusion OF the sentence. Mr.
Price advanced 10 the Judge and extend
cd his hand. asking at the same time th1t
he be prayed for, and requesting the Judge
to come 20 the jail 20 see him.
The prisoner then walked over 10 Judge
Watkins, who prosecuted him. and said:
"Asa. / have no hard feelings for you:
won't you pray for meT Judge Watkins
told him ''Yes"; that he had been praying
for him snd would continue TO do so. Az
ter shaking the hands Of all those present,
the prisoner was taken back TO his cell.
The sentence to-day was an entire sur
prise TO sir. Price, and not until the court
had begun passing IL did he know the ex-
act reason for being I'm the courtroom.