Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-07-29
The Awful Judgement OF Law
Passed on Richard Williams,
DRAMATIC HALF. NlNI)TE
Like One DaA-d the Condemned Man
Faced HIS Fate without q shade Of
Emotion on Kis Face or the
Realisation If Muscle,

OF the gallOws.
unless some unexpected action is
taken in his behalf, unless there is
some unanticipatcd ,lispcLsatii,a in his
favor. by o'clock L. MI OH Friday,
September ~, 1899, he Will be a corpse
He was sentenced at 4:45 O'Clock yes
terday afternoon by Judge T. j. Bar
ham. OF the Corporation Court, to b.
hanged on that date between the hours
vi III ~. NJ. and 4 2. M in the la II OH
closure .
he case of Richard Williams is IL
fe"arkablr one. He has, apparently.
sNt friend in the world but himself
anu is his own worst enemy.
When he was arrested for the kill
ing of Newman and plared in Jail. he
made no effort tu get a lawyer To help
MN out of his terrible prodictmcnt
ate mas mother in Richmond, and she
gas never been here, nor has she been
heard from. She has manifested abso-
lutely no interest in the case at ALL Vic
has brother living here. This brother
retained Mr. Nv. l.. Hillycr to defend
the man. engaging to come in and con-
suit with the attorney and to secure
evidence and bring it before him.
From that day the brother never show
ed himself in MIR. lillycr's Office He
made no effort whatever, nor were
there any friends to make any
Williams own lith and kin not caring
whether he lived or died and refusing to
ASSIST him in the defense, Mr. IIillyer
Withdrew from the case
the court designated Attorney
Clarke to defend the prisoner when the
case came to trial. The brother was in
The court room and did not make his
presence known. The accused man did
not have witness except himself and
IN his evidence practically corruborated
'ne testimony Of the commonwealth 4
ne evidence was conclusive. There
was but one thing for the jury to do
a verdict Of murder in the first degree
was reached on the first ballot AS ;,
matter of formality and to place his
client in the most advantageous posi-
ton possible should his people show a
disposition to fight the case further, At
torney Clarke moved to set aside the
verdict. This motion was to nave been
argued yesterday afternoon but tho
prisoners counsel did not argue it.
While the matter was pending, Will
hams brother made his first appear
ance lie was sitting back in the uu
dlence taking in the proceedings in the
most mattcr-of-fact way when the ser
geant recognized him and called him
forward. Both the prisoner ana his
brother stated to Attorney Clarke that
nothing had been done.
uudgc Barham then overrulcd the
motion to set aside the verdict the de
tense formally objccting to this ruling
SO that there Should exist Il chance to
appeal. however hopeless
MURDER AVID CHARITY.
Just before the court ruled on the
motion. Richard Williams, handcuffcd
Ir,t !, ,,.;t
20 'onn 'harlty, a tWo-ycar man, was
brought up
Before his arrival the Common
wealth's Attorney and others nresent
discussed every possibility by which the
man might benefit. every one connect
ed with the case being exceedingly anx-
nous 70 avoid taking any advantage of
the prisoners defenscless position.
But turn where they could, no loop
hole could be found.
In this hour of extremity. ill.,, Off
cials of the court-the Judge the
commemorative Attorney, the Ser
seant-took more interest in Will
Hams than his own kth and kin. They.
at least, guarded his interests to the
extent OF seeing that no possible in
justice was done him.
But there was nothing within lc,.,
bounds to be done. and Williams was
called upon to stand UP and receive tho
sentence which should place rome
around his neck and a shrond about
his body
ne stood there. virtually deserted.
without d friend in the world. With
out a plea, without an excuse, looking
as unconcernedly at his fate as though
II were pleasant thing: but there was
no smile upon his face
Asked if he had anything to say as to
why the sentence should not be passed
upon him he replied almost inaudihIv
mo"
Judge Barham then sentenced the
prisoner to be taken into the Jail in
closure on Friday, September 80 1899. |
petween the hours of 10 A. M. and 4
NJ. ana hanged by the neck until
DEAD, dead. dead, and may God have
mercy on your soul"
DRAMATIC HALF- MINUTE
1t was the first time Judge Barham
ever sentenced man to the yaJIows |
and he did it in as few words as ii is
possible to use to hang a man. The ia
tai words were spoken in low firm
tone without a culver. When the SOL
emn conclusion was reached Williams
stood for half a minute as though daz-
.ed, then sank in his scat beside the |
man to whom he was hanrlcuffed. |
Ihere was upon his face not the Slight |
est token of emotion. There was not
the relaxation of muscle He might
have been carved of ebony. John
Charlty was vastly more excited and
seemed to take Atlle sentence as an al |
most personal matter 'sWhat time
did he say it was to be-" he asked as
the twain were being led back to Jail. !