Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-05
R0. MORTON HANGED.
EXECUTION OF THE MURDERER OF
GEORGE wEsrMoRELAND.
ALL QUILT AND ORDERLY.
Confessed the Crime ON the scanold-
A History of His V-provoked Deed
The Body Turned over to. His
Friends.

lSpecialtARobert Morton (colored), con-
v.cted Of the murder OF George II. West
moreland. paid the penalty of his crime
n the jail-yard here this morning, in
The presence of a number OF witnesses.
as provided by Law. Several hundred
cope, through curiosity and interest,
adhered about the Courthouse Squar,
and on the streets in the vicinity. but
Everything was perfectly quiet and or
serly.
Five colored mlnisters--Revs. Berry.
ARIEL, Vaughan. Bowman. and Powell
we're present. and held religious services
18th the condemned man before he was
,rought out Of the jail, and assisted in
lie exercises after ne had mounted the
,caffold.
Morton was brought out If jail about
40 o'clock, and assembled the steps to
ne gai0ws in perfect caimness On
ns dfold he did not show the culver
II a nerve, and heard with unninching
,ttention the death warrant read TO nim
y Sergeant Watson. He took part in thI
eigious services that followed. ms clear.
NOR vo.ce leading in the two hymns mat
Utre sung-"GJide Me. O, Thou Great
.hovah" ana 'Shali We Meet Beyond
he River" He continued to sing even
ter the moose had been placed arouno
IFS neck, the black cap over his head.
nd his limbs bound.
A portion OF the 18th chapter or J.
orinthans was read by Rev. Berry,
I'D prayer was offered by Rev. Bowman
CONFESSED THE CRIME.
Morton made a brief address from the
eaffold TO those around him. He SAT-
Friends and Fellow Citizens.-I hope
nd trust that you will forgive me for
ne crime | committed. as God has al
eady forgiven me. May you all meet
ne beyond the river where l know
am going. We know not the time when
leath will meet as, but may you all b.
repaired. as l am, for It, Let my life ''e
warning TO you. Don't throw your
lives away, as I have done. Dissipation
vas the whole cause of my trouble"
At the conclusion Of his speech. Morton,
almly turned to the Sergeant, and said
/ am ready 10 die" The moose and cap
yere adjusted the limbs bound. while
ne singing Of the second hymn was in
ogress. The trap was sprung and the
ody shot down at 1895. There were
ew tremoTs. and in thirteen minutes tie
xamining physicians pronounced Robert
lorton dead. The neck was not broken.
Drs p = vvhi'ehurst and Ron 'qm n l.
Hume. OF Richmond. were present to re-
Give the BODY for the Richmond MediCa-
'olege as the law provides. but an
arrest demand was made for II by the
mily and friends, and telegram was
ant 10 the secretary Of the State AnatO-
neal Board asking what disposition
Mould be made of the body under the
circumstances. An answer was received
directing the body to be turned over TO
he friends. and about 2:30 this afternoon
his was done
HISTORY OF THE CRIME.
The crime for which Robert Morton paid
ne penalty Of his life on the scaffold to-
lay was without prov0cation or excuse
lbout O'Clock on the evening Of Satur-
ay. June 25th last. at West-End PARK,
10 shot George II. Westmoreland, young
ian Of respectfully and popularity, who
sided In the western portion Of the city.
Iorton was overpowered and held until
q officer OF the law could take him into
Istody. and young WestmOrelan1 was
arried home ny his friends, where he lin
cred until the following Monday. when
.ath ended his sufferings. His death
reused much feeling in the community,
nd there were at one time fears that
lo.ence might result. but wise counsels
revealed, and the law was allowed to
axe its course.
On the afternoon Of the shooting young
Yes,mOreland, his brother, and one or
NO friends went 10 West-End Park 20
ide their bicycles around the track. THY
lad finally stopped to rest on the side Of
he track. when Morton came along, and
atenuonaIy or otherwise kicked over
Nestmoreland's bicycle Mr. Westmore.
nd spoke 10 him and told him not 10 in
rfere with his wheel In response, Nor
IN cursed and spoke roughly to the young
len and was told to 90 awfy ana not
ause trouble Morton started off. still
.ursing. and after n had gone a few feet,
rned drew his pistol and taking de.
berate aim fired at Westmoreland.
rother Of the latter glappled with Nor
on. and endeavored 10 wrest the pistol
rom him. but he continued 10 shoot, un-
u George Westmoreland feH. pierced
through the head with a ball
In the Mayors Court on the 18th Of
lune Morton waived examination, and his
.ase was certified to the Hastings Court.
N the DIST Of July he was indicted by
he grand jury, and on the 4th Of August,
lfter an able defence by Mr.. James II.
!ahny who appeared as his counsel by
appointment Of the court. he was tried.
convicted Of murder in the first degree.
md sentenced TO he hanged on the 7th of
October. on the Sd of october. in response
10 appeals for executive clemency, Nor
ton was respited for four weeks.
George II. Wes,moreland. the victim,
was q years old and had only been mar
ried about eight months. He was an up
right Christian man, and a member OF
Ii gh-Stree Methodist Episcopal church.
Robert Morton was "A years of age.
Oore a very unsavory reputation ard rad
0een in previous difficulties On the af-
ternoon OF the shooting he had Teen
drinking to some extent. and on his way
10 the park had trouble with several beo-
pie in which he was the aggressor.
wel-known and influential Repubi-
can OF this city. said to-day that nine
tenths of the white Republicans OF Pc
tersburg would vote for Mr.. Epes for
Congress next Tuesday, and that a great
many negroes would do the same.
II is reported that the American Telc-
phone and Telegraph Company will soon
begin the erection Of the Long Distance
Telephone line from this city to Lynch
burg. and thence TO Danviile.