The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-12-13
GOVERNOR BRADLEY's MISTAKE.

The action of Gov, Bradley in par
doning VIM. Todd, sent up for life from
this county for the assassination of his
brother, Matt Todd, is being severely
condemned by all good citizens here ir-
respective OF party. A prominent at
tOrney expressed the opinion that il
was useless for the State to 90 10 the
expense to convict criminals ifthey are
to be given their liberty 10y such an UNI
considerable Disregard OF Justice. An
other weil-known attorney whose repu-
tation as a criminal LAWYER is State
wide, asserted that with such an ex-
ample OF executive clemency before the
people, il would be difficult TO repress
the mob spirit should it manifest itself
here again. And of numerous citizens
who were interviewed. all but one were
of the opinion that since Todd
had been liberated. Jesse Hatton, his
negro accomplice, should also be
allowed to 90 free.
The crime for which Todd aud Lat
ton were tried and convicted. was one Of
the foulest that ever stained the fair
annals OF Madison county. Matt Todd,
prosperous farmer and member of
one Of the largest families in the coun-
ty, while sitting at his own fire-side,
one Saturday evening about dark,read-
Ing his daily newspaper, was assassin
ated. the assassin slipping up to awin-
dow and firing a load OF buck-shot into
his unsuspecting victim, killing him in
stantly. The dastardly deed was not
discovered until late Sunday evening.
The crime aroused the entire county
and for three days the county officials
and citizens we're Ell gagged in a COM
bined effort to run down the guilty
parties. Suspicion was finally directed
to VIM. Todd and Jessie Hatton, negro,
who worked for the .Todds. They
were arrested, Hatt0n confessine
and duplicating William Todd, the
oldest brother Of the murdered
man. They were placed inthe county
Jail and for several nights a strong
guard was Kept about the jail to pre-
vent mob violence, to such a pitch
were the people aroused bv the pefpe-
traitors OF the crime Finally, after as
surances from the authorities that the
law would deal out swift aud certain
Justice, the excitement subsidized anc
the culpTits were brought to trial. i
was one of the most sensational murdei
trials ever conducted In the RichmohC
court house and consumed nearly the
entire session OF the circuit court The
ablest lawyers at this bar were arrayet
on the one side or the other, and ia,
three young sisters Of the murdered ant
the murderer appeared as witnesses fol
the accused. After q memorable lega
struggle. which attracted more than 10
; cal interest, the case went to the jury
which contrary to public expectation
/, brought in the sentence of life i'm
prisonmant instead of hanging, which
vas recognized as the only punishment
: commensurate with the crimes clever
of the jury at first being for the deatl
penalty and only one for life sentence
Thus public sentiment, instead o.
: being appeased by the verdict. felt ont
ragged and was again aroused, and hal
! not the coantv officials exercised tn
! precaution Of taxing tine prisoner
} off to Frankfort before the news Of the
/ verdict became generally known moth
ing could have prevented Judge Lyncl
} from sitting in FINAL Judgment on tn
case. When six monlbs later SquirI
, David D0ty was assassinated In tia
same neigbborhcod by William Tay
lor, cclored, it was flung into the iaai
) of the jury that tried Todd that Tay
!. lor's crime was the outgrowth Of thl
Todd verdict and it was all the auther
tiles could do 70 restrain the law