The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-30
'TW0NECROES
ARE TO HANG
Death Sentence Passed Upon
Bacon and Finch.
TRIAL WAS SPEEDY ONE
Execution viii Take Place on Second
Day Of September Motions tor
New Trial We're Over
ruled.
TRIAL WAS SPEEDY ONE
Especial to The Times Dispatch.)

I
BOYDTON, VA, July 29.--The jury yes
terday convicted the other negro, Ander-
son Finch, of being an accessory 70 an
attempt to assault Mrs Geoghagan. The
Judge passed sentence upon both men this
morning. The sentence Is that Dock Ba-
cor and Anderson Finch shall both be
hung on the I'd day Of September, 1908.
On Saturday they were Indicted by the
grand jury, and on Tuesday both were
tried and convicted, and to-day the death
sentence was passed upon them
Before the sentence was passed ex-
Judge Alexander, OF counsel for Anderson
Finch, asked for q new trial upon the
ground that his client had been dealt with
too harshly. which motion was overruled
BY the court. Mr. Powell of counsel for
Dock bacon, then asked for new trial
for Bacon, which was overruled.
The court then, in most solemn and
impressive manner, proceeded to pass the
death sentence.
The prisoners stod side by side, neither
showing any emotion. Anderson Finch.
who Is about eighteen years old. stood
tho sentence. Tho other prisoner stood
gazing at the Judge. The Judge has or
dered the prisoners to be sent to Peters,
burg and kept there until the day OF e1-
ecution.
THE SENTENCE.
Judge Homes, In sentencing the prison.
ers, said:
Before the people Of your race in vir-
ginia and other Southern States had con-
:errred upon them their freedom. and
while they were held rs slaves, ! want
To say to their honor and credit that the
crime OF assault among us upon white
ladies' by the men OF your race was al
most II not thing unheard OF.
Far from such existing, your race en-
2joyed and deservedly so, the confidence
OF the white people. This incumbent OF
this bench remembers we'll those four
years 1861 to 1865, during which time
nearly all Of the white men were called
from their homes to the army and battle
field, when they left behind at home their
wives. daughters and little ones; IN
great measure. In the care and under the
protection OF the colored men OF the
South.
Your race, then. proved faithful to the
trust imposed and when remember! the
same I feel profound respect for the
old colored men OF those days.
When your race had conferred upon 1t
freedom 1t was indeed TO be hoped that
1t would make you even q better people,
and more worthy Of the confidence and
respect OF the white man. I am sorry
to know, however. that while the old
colored men OF those days continued
faithful, that 1t is a lamentable fact that
many of the younger generation. who
have enjoyed the advantages OF freedom
and education have abused the same. and
for years have been committing With
alarming and increasing frequency this
awful crime upon white ladies'.
DnINH THEIR RACE WRONG
In this they have not only committed
on the victims most horrible crimes. but
have done and are doing their own race
great wrongs and Injustice, and exciting
prejudice which would not otherwise
exist It is incumbent on the better ele-
ment OF your race for their own good
and elevation, that they take prompt
steps to cultivate n public sentiment
among themselves, which will condemn
and put stop to these alarming crimes.
Whether they will do It or not remains
for them to determine, either for their
veal or woe. One thing. however, can
be said, and that is that tho verdict OF
juries and the judgment OF courts under
the law In such cases have plainly de-
clared to the world that. he who commits
this crime shall, when proven guilty. pay
the penalty thereof with his own life
You both have been indicted and tried
for an attempt to commit this awful
crime upon refined Christian lady, In
the very heart Of a populous town. A
more desperate and daring act can hard
~ be conceived OF.
BOTH TO HANG.
The juries who tried each OF you under
the instructions OF the court upon the
law, have, upon due elaboration, found
each of you guilty. and declared by their
verdict that you be punished with death.
1t only remains for this court to pass
sentence upon you. Before discharging
that solemn and painful duty. as may
never see you again, allow me to suggest
that you employ the few days that re-
main to you In this world In preparing
to stand before the great Judge of all
mankind. and remember that only the
blood OF Jesus Christ can absolve you
from your sins.
The Judgment OF this court Is that you
be taken to Petersburg. Va, by the
sheriff of this county. and there securely
confined In jail until the I'd day of Sep
TENDER, 1908. upon which day. between
the hours OF 6 A. M, and 8 P. NJ. each of
you will be hanged by the sheriff of this
county at the jail OF this county, by the
neck until you are dead. and may the
Lord have mercy upon you.