Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-09-10
HENRY MUST DIE.
Gov. White Refuses to Exercise
Executive Clemency.


Exhaustive Review of the Case Does
not Impel Him to Interfere Sentence
of the Court Must be Carried Out
| William Allen Accused of the Murder
for Which Henry viii Hang.
State Henry must die by the
hangman's moose at Moundsville.
Such was the news conveyed yes
terday by Gov. A. B. White to Hon.
j. w. McIntire of New Martinsville,
who has fought all along TO have the
sentence of State Henry committed to
life imprisonment, and later on, an
unconditional pardon.
Thus ends chapter of crime,
waged IN Wetzel county during the
construction of the Short Line Rail
road, which was the scene of more
than one murder State Henry has
protested his innocence from the
start, and says he will die an limo.
cent man. He was the first man
ever sentenced by the Circuit Court
of Wetzel county to hang for the
murder of man. The story of the
crime told in few words is as fol-
lows:
During the construction of the
Short Line Railroad between Wheel
ing, New Martinsyllle and Clarks-
burg, negro by the name of John
Richardson was enticed away from
the camp, SO it is claimed, by State
Henry by promise that he had some
nice apples hid up the road. The
old man was very fond of apples and
this was quite an inducement. The
night previous to murder was pay
day, and Richardson had received
his money along with the other men.
He was a very religious negro and
did not mix with the tough element
about the camp. He had saved his
money which he intended to send to
his family in North Carolina, of
whom he often spoke.
State Henry enticed the old man
up the road and brutally murdered
him by hitting him in the head. AT
ter the murder he endeavored to con-
ceal the body by burying it near
the creek; some say he was buried
alive. In his attempt TO cover up
the crime he left an arm and a leg
protruding from the earth. The
absence of Richardson from camp
caused considerable comment among
the worknen, which was something
unusual as no notice was ever taken
of a disappearing negro. The search
resulted in finding the body of Rich
ardson half buried, about 100 yards
from the bank of the creek. State
Henry was accused Of the crime and
was arrested and taken before JUS
tice of the peace near the scene of
the murder who committed him to
the county Jail at Wheeling to await
the action of the grand jury.
The workmen were so Infatuated
when it was known that State Hen
ry was accused of the crime that
they wanted to lynch him on the
spot. State Henry claims that one
VIM. Allen, who was hung at Union
town, Pa, committed the murder.
Allen confessed to the murder before
he was hung.
The following is the letter received
by Hon. James w. McIntire from
Gov. A. B. White:
Executive Department.,
Charleston, w. Va, Sept. 8, '02.
Capt j. w. McIntlre, New Martins
vile, W. Va.
My DEAR SIR:-Some days ago l
reached decision in the case of
State Henry, but deferred final &C
ton until yesterday, awaiting the
result of some correspondence.
/ regret to say that my conclusion
is that can not see my way clear
to interfere with the execution of
the law.
Regretting that the painful ne
cessity of making such a decision
rests upon me, and approaching the
splendid fight you have made in the
prisoners behalf, l am, with regards,
Very truly yours,
A. B. WHITE, Governor.
In accordance with the law State
Henry will now swing for the crime,
as there is no further appeal posi-
bic.