The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1902-07-26
GOVERNOR THREATENED
For Refusing to Commute Sentence
of Ashley Cooke.


Jackson. Miss. July 23.-Is Gov.
Longino in danger of assassination as
a result of his refusal to commute the
death sentence of Ashley Cooke?
This startling question is asked
here today by officers of the law, who
were summoned out at midnight last
night by an attempt on the part Of
some one to break into the governors
mansion.
Early yesterday morning. before the
hour of execution of Cooke and Lau-
derdale. the close personal friends Of
the governor were alarmed by a series
Of threatening kilograms from Green
VILE, where preparations for the exc.
cution were in progress.
Violent kilograms.
On Of these messages was couched
in ~peremptOry language, and called
upon the governor to commute the
sentence of Ashley Cooke without de-
lay. The telegram closed with a Latin
quotation, which signiied hat ne who
is wise acts quickly. The governor, Of
course. gave no heed TO this telegram.
but busted himself with his official du-
ties, and shortly afterward another
messenger boy from the Western I'm
ion Office appeared with d second tele-
gram, which was in still more threat
ening terms, and ordering the COVER
nor TO commute the sentence Of Cooke
at once or that dire harm would come
to the governor and his family. This
] telegram with tho first ono WAS
shown TO some of the governors
friends. and he was advised by them
TO be prudent and not to expose him
self TO any possible attack.
Warning from - Friend.
Just before the execution, perhaps
an hour after the receipt OF these TWO
messages, a third telegram was receiy-
ed from Greenville. which was sent
to a very intimate friend Of Gov. Lon
gino's, containing the ominous words:
Watch out for the safety of Gov.
Longino."
This message came from a gentle
man who is friendly 10 the governor,
and it contained further intimation
that assassination was to be feared.
At IL o'clock a message came to the
governor from the sheriff at Green
Vile, stating that the executions were
over and that all was quiet.
Was He an Assassin?
During the entire day the governor
attended to the business OF his office
as usual. and apparently did not seem
to attach much Importance to the
threatening messages. Yesterday even
ing he went out TO the State insane
hospital and reviewed the work in
progress there on the new buildings.
and last night spent the evening hours
with his family, as usual, chatting on
the front porch Of the mansion.
Shortly after II O'Clock Mrs. Lon
gino excused herself and left the
porch to retire to her room. In a few
minutes she came down. very much
disturbed. and informed the governor
that a man had been concealed on the
roof Of the back gallery near her win
, dow, and that she had frightened him
away. Mrs. Longino was in ignorance
OF all the threats and warnings tina
the governor had received. and sup.
posed the intruder was a burglar.
Spot Well Chosen.
The man had been concealed near
the window which opens on the roof
OF the back gallery, and retreated
when Mrs. Longino entered the room.
II is an easy climb from this roof 10
the back gallery below. and the rear
: of the mansion is always quiet and
deserted at night. The governor made
a search of the premises. and the
went 10 police headquarters to inquire
If there were any ~bloodhounds to be
. had. but the police knew of mont in
reach. Several officers went back TO
the mansion and the yard was thor
oughly searched. No further disturb
ance occurred during the night.
> Governor Calm and Quiet.
| Gov. Longino refused yesterday TO
give out the facts about the receipt
l of the messages from Greenyille and
! to the police he would only say that he
: wanted the hounds to track a burgla
that had tried to get in his room and
, had frightened his wife. He stated
: this morning that he did not care ia
! say anything to the press about the
: matter: that he had no fear OF assas
. sination, and did not connect the at
tempt to enter the mansion with th'
. threatening kilograms.
: 1t is the belief. here. however. thaf
. there IS danger behind the threat.
: Threat by Mail.
? 1t is further known that the COVER
nor received an anonymous Communi
a cation p|OstlndGkeO al batesNllle, MISS,
several days ago, which told him tina
unless he committed the sentence O.
= Cooke he would certainly be assassi
a mated. The writer said that he knew
the habits OF the governor; knew how
he came to the Office from the man
sion, and knew that he sat in his of
fee with his back to the eastern win
= dow, which looked out on the darl
q part of the capitol yard. The lette
also said that II an attempt could no
a be successfully made from this poin
there were certain dark corners whiCl
the governor had to pass on his wa,
10 and from the mansion at night. Al
OF these things put together. couple
with the intense feeling that has bee,
. ~engendered by the execution of Cooke
are circumstances which make tn
;, governors position one not to be alto
= gether coveted
LOST HIS VALISE.