Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-28
NO HOPE soR Me- son VALE
THE PRESIDENT DECLINES TO
GRANT RESPITE.
Hearing Before the Attorney General
The Condemned Man Notified
to Prepare for Death.

A strong effort was made at the White
House today to obtain a respite of thirty
days for Nelson Vale, the aged murderer
who Is under sentence to die week from
tomorrow. The effort failed, however, and
the gray-headed old negro will probably
expiate his crime at the time fixed.
Those who saw the President as to va.e's
case were Representative White, the colored
member from North Carolina; Thomas
Walker, the condemned mans attorney;
Rev. w. ]. Howard and Rev John Rob-
erts the prison clergyman.
The callers told the President that al
though he had declined to commute Wales
sentence they felt that the prisoners case
would be greatly benefited, and his life
possibly saved, if respite of thirty days
could be secured. They said that evidence
had been discovered showing that at least
Two Two OF the witnesses against Vale had
committed perjury. Their object, they said
was TO reopen the case that this new evil
dence might be laid in detail before Attor-
ney General Griggs. with a hope that he
would reverse his action and recommend
Communication of the sentence.
lie President listened to the callers and
SAID that they would have to present the
case to the Attorney General direct.
Appeals to Attorney General.
Inc party went at once to the Depart
h1ent OF Justice. where brief hearing was
had. The main representation made to
Attorney General Griggs was that when he
passed on the case a few days ago it was
with the evidence of the trial before him.
Newly-discovered evidence would, it is be-
IIeVed change his views, If all the facts
would be fully presented.
Inc Attorney General declined to recon-
mend a respite. His decision was influ-
ebceo largely by the fact that the prose-
cutting officials who handled the case have
not been favorable in their recommenla
ions 1or ciemency, and that the alleged
neWly-dlscovered evidence was presented 70
tne courts IN an appeal for a new trial.
"ncn was refused. The Attorney General
sa,u tnat All the facts laid before him this
morning were before him when he passed
upon the case several days ago. He did
hot, ne SAID regard any of the matter nre-
scented to him as new
vale Notified to Prepare for Death.
vale was notified this afternoon that he
VIII certainly be executed one week from
tomorrow Tor the murder of Alex Jackson.
Inc last hope he was told had disappeared.
ms counsel. Thomas Walker and his spIr-
ltual advisers, the Rev. John Roberts and
i me rev; W: j. Howard, called on him and
informed MIN that the President had de-
ci1ned to take any action in his case
HIS counsel he was told. had asked the
PRESIDENT for a stay Of execution for one
III oiueI tLdl the condemned man
might be given the advantage of anything
new that might develop. While the re-
quest Tor stay was not granted Vale was
told that the President would consider
anything further even after he reaches
Canton.
The Rev. Roberts, who has been visiting
the condemned man ever since he reached
the prison in January. informed him several
weeks ago that he might expect nothing on
TINS earth and advised him to devote his
tine in preparing for the hereafter
When Vale was informed today that his
case was hopeless he expressed himself as
being ready to meet his Maker. but said
ne diSliked very much dying on the scaffold
If he could die In any other way, he said,
ne would willingly go before next Friday
Soon after being informed of the Presi-
dent action the Rev. Roberts entered the
cell with the condemned man and remained
with him part of the afternoon
DisDOsing of His Goods.
Vale made arrangements for the dis
posal of his few earthly goods, and will
give messages for friends later. He
said that since his arrest his daughter had
called on him number Of times but he
had not seen his son. The fact that the
son had not called seemed to hurt the old
man, who Is anxious to see him once more
before ne dies. Vale is more than sixty
years old and is a native of North Caro-
lima He was a teamster during the war.
and he frequently tells his fellow prisoners
That he followed Gen. Sherman on his
march from Georgia. So long as the law
DEGREES that he must die on the scaffold,
ne says, he will go up the steps without
fiinching.