The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-17
EXTRA GUARD FOR
MURDERER HITE.
Report That an Effort Would Be
Made to Release Him.
A PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR.
The Supervisors of NeckIcnburg 90
Distribute Col. Goodies Generous
Donation 90 the Needy Con-
fcderatc Veterans

BOTDTON. VA. Jan. s.-Special.-1he
fine IS almost at hand when George w.
Hite. the murdered OF old man William
Bowers. will pay the penalty of his crime.
Dne week from to-day the death SEN
,encc pronounced upon him by Judge
Homes. Will go into effect unless the
Governor interposes TO save him. The
prisoner is strongly guarded, having two
deputy shefins and Il special guard who
sleep In the Jail at night.
A report was circulated a week or two
since that an effort would be made 10
release Hiie, and for that reason the
fudge OF the county court, as precau-
tionary msasuro. put on an extra guard.
Hite is clinging with great tenacity 10
fhe hope that his counsel Will yet be able
10 save his neck lie told the coiored
3aniior at the jail that although the time
was near at hand for his execution. he
had strong faith that the Governor would
spare his life.
CLOSE CALL.
lie said that he had close call last
summer. when he was sentenced 10 lie
executed, but the papers from the SUI
preme Court OF Appeals. granting su-
persedas came just in time 10 save him.
Z fear that that circumstance alone. en-
courages him 10 believe that something
now will turn up" as IL did then 10
eavo his neck from the gallows
think il unfortunate for the condemned
tnan, that he should cling 10 this hope,
as it is doubtlessiy having the effect of
lulling him into comparative security
and preventing him from making that
preparation for death so important 10
one whose end, 20 all appearances, IS so
hear at hand
As an evidence Of his depravity and
utter lack OF repentance he was told by
one of his spiritual advisers on one OF
his visits that Il was necessary and all
important that ne should ask forgiveness
of the Master for his past life and that
be should particularly ask forgiveness
for the sins committed against mis- fe
low man. to which he replied. Il have
never done anything TO anybody I'm my
life" although he had shot and wounded
one man some ten years since with his
gun and killed another.
A PETITION.
The friends of Hite are busy I'm their
Efforts in getting signatures 10 the petit
lion TO the Governor asking that the
prisoners sentence be committed % life
Imprisonment. but ! have understood
that they were not meeting with much
success. a report was in circulation
here a week or two since that a revulsion
in the sentiment Of llte's neighbOrs had
taken place, and that they were now
willing that he be imprisoned for life,
but upon inquiry find that the report
was untrue.
A circumstance in connection with the
lives OF the two men, which has been
recently told me. agravates .he tnormity
~ the offence Of the killing of Old man
Bowers by Hte. when it IS known that
1fite at one time was the recipient OF the
bounty of Bowers and a benefactor. so
10 speak, when liite was in great dis
tress.
AN INCIDENT
The circumstances were these when
gIite came home. after his term in the
penitentiary expired some ten years
since. he was pcnnyless and fr,endless
and after making many vain efforts 20
secure help for himself and family. he
went 10 Bowers. who was a thrifty man.
Rnd told him that none of his eiehbors
would help him and that ne had come 20
him In hts desperation. Wen said
kind old man Bowers. III no one else
will help YOU 7 will. you can get bread
and meat from me until YOU can get Upon
your feet" Such treatment reminds Us
Of the frozen viper which being taken
into the bosom. warmed and brought 20
life. turns and stings his benefactor 10
death
COL GOODIES MUNIFICENCE
The Board Of Supervisors Of Mecklcn-
burg will meet here on Saturday next
90 distribute the one thousand dollars
given by that generous gentleman. Col
Thomas f. GoOde TO the disabled sol
riiers OF the Confederate cause in Neck
ienburg county. The Colonel has given
this sum for the past FIVE OF six years.
and II is great help 10 those poor,
MANNED and helpless persons. rendered
so by their hard service in the civil war.