The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-04
MURMURED HIS GRATITUDE.
CHANNELL RECEIVED NEWS OF
COMPUTATION QUIETLY.

Sheriff Sweeny Broke the News TO
the slayer of Postmaster ThOmp-
son, who Was Too Much Affected
TO Do More Than Murmur a Few
IncOherent WordS-After Few
Moments, Though, He Was as Com
posed in His joy as He Has Lately
Been in His DepressiOn-The
Doubt as to His DestinatiOn-His
Wife Not ia savannah When the
News Was Received.
Walter r. Channel who has been sem
fenced in the Superior Court of Mont
gomery county to suffer the death PEN
alty tomorrow, for the murder of Post
master Thompson of Glenwood, received
the news of the Governors computation
of the sentence 10 Imprisonment in the
penitentiary for life, with every indication
of relief and delight. ~
Sheriff Sweeny received telegram from
Gov. Gambler yesterday afternoon, an
nouncing that he had approved the rec
ommendation of the Pardon Board in the
case of Channel, and that in accordance
with this recommendation the sentence
had been computed. The message was
received by the sheriff while he was in
his office at the Court House, and he went
Immediately to che Jail to bear the joyful
news of the commutation to the con-
demned man.
Channel has borne up well. under the
fearful strain he must have suffered dur
ing the past few Gays, waile the issue. of
his application for a commutation of SEN
tence was in the hands of the Governor
and his fate rested with the chief exec
utive of the state. He had been perceptt-
bly, cheered by the action of the Pardon
Board in recommending the Communication
of his sentence to Imprisonment for life,
and had been hopeful ever since this news
had been received. But the anxiety, the
fearful desire and yet dread to know def
nitely his fate, had not left him.
The sheriff, with the message in his
hand found Channel pacing the floor OF
his cell, and as gently as possible told
him that his sentence had been committed.
Then man was too much overcome 10
do more than murmur a few incoherent
words of thanks. He received the news
with dignity, though, and in his joy was
as composed as he has shown himself
when he walked in the shadow of shame
worked day and night in mis- behalf, was
not with him when the message was re-
ceived She was lately in Atlanta, inter
ceding with HE Governor in his Behalf
and 1t is thought that she is still there
There seems to be some doubt as to
Just what will be done with Channel
The Governors telegram to Sheriff Swee-
ny stated that a special guard would ar
rive this morning to take the prisoner to
Atlanta while the Morning News Atlanta
dispatches say that he is to be taken 10
Fargo. 1t may be, as the dispatches sug-
gest that the Governor is anxious TO
keep the people of Montgomery county, as
well as those who favor and those VINO
hate the prisoner in the dark, and that
a variety of information is being given
out, to the end that amid so much chatf
il will not be possible TO discover the
grain of wheat, until Channel is safe in
the hands of the guards of the camp to
which he is to be sent. }os
Tomorrow the thirty days respite that
the Governor had granted Channel, while
the Pardon Board was examining his APP
plication for Communication. of sentence,
would have expired and deputy sheriff
from Mt. Vernon, the county seat, was eX-
pected here to take him back for execu-
ticn. 1t is understood that all the prepara-
lions had been made.
CHANNEL was condemned to death for
the murder of Postmaster Thompson, Of
Glenwood. the little town in which Chan
nell represented the Georgia and Alabama
Railway as agent. Glenwood is in the
midst of the section from which come the
alleged conspira tors, said 10 be headed by
D. A. Tyson, who have been indicted by
the federal grand jury for conspiring to
use the mails TO defraud. Al the time of
Channels trial IL was contended by his
counsel that he had killed Thompson be-
cause of the latter's improper relations
wi h Mrs Channel, but the story was but
thinly substantial ed It has since been in
iimated that Channel was connected with
the band of conspirators and that Thomp>
son knew too much and wanted to report
the matter to the government. 1t is stated
that had it not been for the sentence
hanging over his head, his name would
have been presented with those of Others
to the grand jury for indictment as one of
the conspirators.
Channel has always seemed to he re3s-
onably confident that his sentence would
be committed. He has spent much OF his
time lately in discussing spiritual ques-
tons with Rev Mr.. Stevens, a city mis-
sionary, who has interested himself in the
case. After a few years CT imprisonment,
following the precedents in such matte 3
that have been recently set Channel Will
doubtless apply to the then Governor for
a complete reversal of the sentence of c
court and absolute release from the pen-
Tertiary and further punishment.
COLD WEATHER AGAINST CRIME.