Richmond planet., 1903-10-03
VOL. Xxx NO. 43.
Petersburg, Va. sert. 9TH. 1903.

PETERSBURG, Va, Sept. 9th, 1908.
Mr.. John Mitchell. Jr.,
Dear Sir and Brother:-I have lust
arrived home (Petersburgl from Bovd.
ton. Governor Montague gave Doc
Bacon three days respite. He did not
interfere any further. Anderson Finch
was. hanged "Wednesday evening, Sept.
Snd; Doc Bacon again was brought
back to Petersburg for safe-keepirg ur-
I'll Friday, Sept. 4th. Deputy Sheriff
Beals carried Doc Bacon back to Royd-
ton Tor execution Fri lay evening.
BEGGED AND PLEADED
l only Just went to the depot With the
intention of bidding Doc Bacon good
bye. He cried and begged SO pitifully
that would please stay With him TO
the last. l decided then that for his
comfort, l would go along back to Boyd
ton, as 1t might make his burden light.
so ~ way OF the S. A. L., we left Pet
ersburg on the 9:5S south bound train
changing at Lacrosse to the Southern,
hence ON to Boydton. Three stations
before coming to Boydton. Mr.. Gnode,
the prosecuting District Attorney.
jumped on the -ain.
A PoINTED.QUEsTIoN
After talking awhile with the Denutv
sheriff and Doc Bacon, he took me TO
one side IN a seat TO ourselves and spoke
to me in confidential way. / could
see IN his face that he was deeply af-
fected and interested on account of Doc
Bacon's sad case. He at once began
the following conversation:
"Bave you been with Doc Bacon since
his first confinement
"Yes sir
Let me ask you right point blank.
Do you think Doc Bacon is guilty?'
81 fully believe that man is Innocent. :"
was my response.
Explain TO me-" said he, "why YOU
believe he is innocent"
/ said: Because, in view of the fact
since the first, he has made but one
statement, and after much critical ca
techizing he still retains his firmness. /"
He said: "God forbid that l ever have
anything to do with the life of an inno-
cent man."
TELEGRAPBED THE GOVERNOR.
BY this time we were coming near
Boydton. He took from his pocket tele-
graphic blank, wrote a message and
showed it to me. 1t read something
like this:
"Gov. Montague, am satisfied now
IN my mind that Doc Bacon is not gull
ty. Also have just been talking with his
spiritual adviser. He also, ON the face
OF facts, believes Doc Bacon innocent.
In your wise Judgment, why not re-
spite him for thirty days?''
by this time we were now at Boydtop.
saw him myself go to the office to
send this telegram to the Governor. /
was still going ON to the Jail with Doc
Bacon.
k A TOUCHING SCRNE.
Bacon-Everything was now in readi-
ness for the execution. 1t was now about
BIO. Other brethren were admitted in
to sing and pray with Bacon before time
Tor him to hang. Such a swarminp
crowd out side was never seen. Voices
! outside IN the crowd, .'Stop that singing
and praying in there and break that Mig
gers neck. And many similar express
slons We're heard. 1t was now lorg after
the time appointed for the execution
No one understood the long delay, when
at last 10, behold sure enough, the Gov
ernor had sent respite for 80 days for
Doc Bacon.
THE MOB ANGRY.
Night was close at hand. The mob
Inside was at fever heat. The High
bherlft was busy at work swearing in
Yextra deputies armed with winchesters
Tor Doc Bacon's protection After swear.
ing IN, say % it was time to make a move.
for Boydton was no place to have Doc
Bacon after sunset. Having cheated
the ready-waiting gallows when we
came to behold, the High Sheriff had
already dispatched to officials of the
Southern railway company.
SToPpFD THE Tp,1
They stopped an east bound freight took
the engine and caboose and came to
Boydton at about a mile minute. 1t was
now at sunset Judge Holmes stepped on
the Jail office steps and made loud stir
rpg speech begging the citizens please
nIanake confusion. Let the law have its
course. Respect your county" said he
respect law, order and justice. When
these 80 days respite is over the prisoner
will be brought back here and be hang
ed" And many other such expressions
were made by Judge Holmes:
TWILIGHT CAME.
t was now twilight. They slipped Doc
pom out side-door quickly and down