Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-10
INSANE In JAILS.
THE NUMBER MAY NOT BE 50
GREAT As BY SOME ESTIMATED.
SAID TO BIZ ROOM At STAUHTOI,
for Admission Are Being
Taken Ina Mothers Thanks to
the Governor-Picas for Pardon
Capitol Notes.


we're 800 insane of both races and sexes
in this State confined in jails and guarded
at their homes because of inability TO get
them into the overcrowded asylums has
caused Governor Tyler 10 devote much
thought to this deplorable condition OF
affairs. The statement was first made
In the Dispatch upon information con-
tanned In a letter to the Governor from
DR.. Drewry. superintendent of the Cen
trail State Hospital. at Petersburg.
Hon. A. +. withrow, member OF the
House of Delegates from Bath county.
and or the board Of the Western State
Hospital. is inclined to think the estimate
too large.
II understand there Is room for more
patients at the Western Hospital said
Mr.. Withrow. II received letter from
DR.. Blackboard, the superintendent, the
other day, in which he stated that du-
ring the previous thirty days there had
been forty-seven applications for admis-
sion TO the hospital, and that OF those
applying thirty-seven had been admitted.
That does not look as though 1T were
impossible to get a patient into a State
hospital"
A MOTHERS THANKS.
Governor Tyler recently pardoned Ed
ward Higgs, OF Shenandoah county, who,
eleven years ago killed a friend In a sud-
den fit OF anger by striking him on the
head with a wagon-spoke. He was sem
fenced to eighteen years. The pardon
was recommended by the Judge, Com
monwealth's Attorney, jury. and many
citizens. 1t was stated that the prisoner
mother was one of the best women in the
county: that she was very poor and old.
The Governor yesterday received letter
from a lady in Rockingham. which gave
a most pathetic description of the joy
of the old mother on hearing Of her sons
pardon. The lady said the mother sank
on her knees in prayer. and that she
says now she prays every night for the
welfare of the man who set her boy free.
The old woman has nearly lost her speech,
and the son is similarly afflicted.
PLEAS FOR PARDONS.
Application has been made to the Gov
ernor for the pardon of Jacob Shipp, OF
Rockingham county, who, in 1889. was
sent to the penitentiary for killing John
Hottinger. lie was sentenced to eighteen
years. The case attracted much atten-
ton at the time. The petition states that
Ship was acting under undue excite
ment. which should be regarded as a
palliatiOn.
The Governor has been asked to pardon
John Jones, who has been in the county
Jail of Henrico since last October He
was convicted in that month of highway
robbery and sentenced to the penitentiary
for five years. The sentence was com
muted TO one year in Jail. The Jail physi-
clan says Jones has dropsy. which cannot
be cured while he remains in prison.
The mother OF Claude Wright, young
man Of Lynchburg, sentenced to six
months in Jail in that city some time
ago for grand larceny, continues TO plead
with the Governor for her sons release.
She has seen him in person, and has writ
ten numerous letters. The Governor will
not act.
CONVICT STILL MISSING.
Nothing has been heard from William
Cobbs, the colored convict who made his
escape from among the gang at work
at the Capitol Saturday afternoon. The
manner in which Cobbs escaped is mex
plicable.
He was not out of the sight of the
guard ten minutes previous to being miss
ed when the convicts were turned over
to the penitentiary guard, who came over
10 take lHtm Ddth W Nit BiiS'hs ih'
statement that the convict had been miss
ing an hour or two before his absence
was discovered was incorrect. The most
thorough search OF the building was made
but not a single trace of the fellow could
be discovered.
CAPITOL NOTES.
Governor Tyler has ordered the State
offices to be closed to-day after II o'clock,
I'm honor of lakewood Memorial-Day.
Two negroes, representing industrial
schools in North Carolina and the Indian
Territory, respectively, called to see the
Governor yesterday in the interest of
their institutions They called at differ
ent hours, each without knowledge OF the
others intentions
Notice has been sent the Governor that
the Board of Trustees of the Union The
illogical Seminary will meet at the semi
nary, near this city. on May 3Oth. The
date of the annual meeting has been
changed from June 9th to May Goth.
The date Of the meeting OF the State
Board of Fisheries has been changed
from May 3lst TO June LIST. Governor Ty-
Ter will attend the session, which is 10
be held at Wachapreague.
The Governor has been forced by pre-
yious engagement to decline the invita-
ton 10 attend the reunion OF the Blues
to-day.
A Halifax farmer writes TO the Cover
nor. making application for the lease of
ten convicts for work upon the farm.