The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-21
HITE'S COUNSEL
WORKING HARD.
He VIII Make a Personal Appeal to
Governor Tyler.
QUESTION AS TO HIS SANITY.
A Suggestion That an Expert Pass OH
His Condition oydton's Burned
Hotel Will BE Greatly Missed.
4 Prompt Adjustment.
QUESTION AS TO HIS SANITY.

BOYDTON, VA, Jan. .-special.-The
destruction Of the Exchange Hotel leaves
a great gap on Main street and from an
architectural standpoint, much of the
beauty OF that part OF the town Is de-
stroyed, for the large building made a
pretty picture. particularly in the sum
mer when its green and picturesque row
OF maple trees in front, with cool. shady
porches. gave to the traveller an invi.-
ing resting place and comfortable home.
Mr.. Haskins, the proprietor of the Ex-
change, has rented the Boydton Hotel,
which has been closed for three or four
weeks and will open up in that hotel IN
a few days. The Exchange Hotel was
insured with Mr.. G. y. Williams, agent
for the Hartford Insurance Company Tor
! one thousand dollars. The fire occurred
| on the 18th instant and Mr.. Haskins was
paid on the 18th The company's special
agent, Mr. John $. Goldsmith happened
to be in GAINESVILLE on the morning OF
| the fire, and came over and adjusted the
| loss at once.
DID NOT SIGN.
Judge Homes, of the County Court OF
| Mec klenburg and Commonwealth attor-
ney Goode. have been informed that a
report was circulated here last Monday
| Court Day. 10 the effect that Dotn OF
| them had signed the petition to the Gov
| ernOr, asking that the death sentence or
| the prisoner. George Hite. sentenced to
| be hung here on Monday next, be COM
muted 10 life Imprisonment. These gen
| tlemen are somewhat indignant. that
| their names and official positions, should
| have been used in this connection and say
| that they have not signed II. nor will
| they sign il IL II Is presented to them.
Mr.. G. r.. Reekes counsel for Hite, left
| here yesterday for Ricbr nd, with the
| petition for communication. which he will
| present in person TO the Governor and
! plead for the life OF his client.
j have heard grave doubts expressed
here as 10 whether or not old man iiite
| ought 10 he hung. for the reason that his
conduct for the past twenty years has
been such rs 10 throw some doubt as to
mis- responsibility.
SOLUTION.
4 very intelligent lawyer made 4 sug-
gestion TO me yesterday. which struck
| me as being an excellent solution Of the
difficulty and one that might prevent
| any mistake as to the sanity Of the prls-
| oncr as far as human skill goes and
4
| shoulders Of Governor Tyler It Is this
| That the Governor grant the condemned
man a short respite Of say from thirty
| 10 sixty days and I'm the mean time let
the Governor call to his aid the services
Of an expert from one OF the lunatic asy-
lums. men who have spent great part
! of their lives with the unfortunate luna
tics and are better qualified to give an
| opinion ON that subject, certainly than the
| average physician.
When the opinion Of tho expert was OBJ
| tanned. the Governor would then have
something definite for his guidance and
| action.
II Hite should be pronounced irrespon-
slble by such authority as that, no rea-
sonable person ought TO expect the Gov
| ernor 10 allow him 10 be executed, and
on the other hand IL this authority says
that he is Of sound mind and ought TO be
| held I'm every way responsible for his
acts. then the Governor would let the
| law take its course and the sentence be
executed.