The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-30
The Raprieve of Hall.

Almost on the eve Of the day or ms exc cution, Felix Hall, a negro. has been saved from the gailows. Friday was the day for him to be executed for the murder of Norwood Clark near Enslcy, in October, 1900.
 A train that arrived in Birmingham this morning from Vicksburg. Miss. brought T. H. Morrissey, whose coming was announced yesterday He came to identify Hall as a man name Jackson. who Is said to have been in the State Of Louisiana when Clark was shot and killed.
 From the depot MT Morressey went to the sherff's office in company with Halls attorney Charles Denegre, appointed by the court to defend Hall and at whose expense MT. Morrissey came to Birming- ham. This witness could not be reached by correspondence until a few days ago, as he has been away from Vicksburg. He was not present at the trial.
 When Mir Morrissey arrived at the off, flee of the sheriff Chief Deputy Sheriff Stradford went to the county jail and had the negro prisoners turned from their cells into the big corridor. There were proba- bIy lE9 negoes in the crowd. The heavy door to the jail was thrown open and MT. Morrissey was the first to enter. The chief deputy was next. Several jail of- ficiaIs were also in the Jail. Hall was standing among tho large crowd of prisoners. Only for second did MT. Nor rissey glance around. and then he went straight up to the negro supposed to be Felix Hall, and who was condemned to die Friday.
 This Is the man. If you hang him you will hang an innocent negro" said MT. Morrissey. as he caught hold of Halls Cor Jacksons) shirt.
 The other negroes looked at Hall, and as the officers went out the door they gave three cheers.
 MT Morrissey told the officers that he knew that Jackson worked for Robert Nicholson at Salem, La, from the last Tuesday in September to the 2 of Decem- Der, in 1900. He said also that Nicholson had told him that Jackson. otherwise Hall, was one of the best workers on the levee. Mir. Morrissey further said that of his own knowledge the negro was at work on the levee on October 8 and 17 of that year and that others had told him that he had been at work steadily all the time from the last Tuesday in September. He also said that he could get at least ten witnesses to swear to this fact.
 Judge Dan A. Greene, who has been at Cullman. came to Birmingham this morn inf, having been telegraphed by Attorney Benegre. He listened to what Mir. Nor rissey had to say and recommend to the
  of sixty days. This the Governor agreed to. During this time Judge Green will thoroughly investigate the matter and may have witnesses come from Mssis- sippi and Louisiana.
 At the time Hall was tried witnesses swore that they had known him for many years and that he had worked for Oliver & Company during the months of July, August and September of 1900. There Is of course conflicting statements in regard to his identity.
 Mir Morrissey said that he had sold liquor to the levee mining contractors and one day Nicholson asked him to try to secure him some laborers. That he found seven and among the number was the negro now under sen tence of death. He sent him to Nicholson. under the name of Henry Jackson, he that as his name.