The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-02-09
The GOLD LEAF.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8. 1905.
MRS. ROGERS IS
GIVEN A RESPITE
Vermont Governor Reprieves Con-
demned Woman Until June.
SHE HAD GIVEN UP ALL HOPE

Windsor, VT, Feb "A few hours
after receiving the last rites Of the
Catholic church and hearing her father
confessor read the prayers for the dy
ing Mrs. Mary Mabel Rogers, who was
sentenced TO die upon the gallOws TO
day, listened with amazement to the
announcement of High Sheriff Henry
H. Peck that Governor Charles J.
months.
The news from Montpelier that the
governor had consented to defer the
execution of Mrs. Rogers came as q
surprise, not only to the condemned
woman but also to the sheriff, his dep
uties and the prison officials, as it had
been generally accepted that the gov.
ernor would refuse to interfere.
Sheriff Peck carried the news Of
the reprieve to the prisoner. He was
accompanied by Superintendent
Cakes, States Attorney Bechelder and
Chaplain Fuller. AS the party ap'
preached the grated door Mrs. Rogers
was seated at table writing a letter
TO her mother Apparently supposing
that the sheriff had come to read the
death warrant, she arose and moved
toward the door.
Sheriff Peck had never seen Mrs.
Rogers before that moment. Walking
up to the door he said: Mrs. Rogers,
/ am the sheriff Ihave brought you
good news"
Il am glad to meet you Mr.. Sheriff."
said Mrs. Rogers, as she extended her
hand through the grating. Il have
often heard of you, but l have never
met you before. What is the good
news?"
Governor Bell has granted you q
reprieve until June g" replied the
sheriff.
Mrs. Rogers remained like a statue
as though unable to comprehend the
meaning of the words. Without a
sign of emotion she gaZed at the sher-
itf a moment and then said: 81 had
given up all hope, but l am glad that
the governor has granted me more
time. He is a good man"
The crime for which Mrs Rogers
was sentenced to death was the muir
der of her husband, Marcus Rogers, On
August II. 1902, at Bennington. He
held a life insurance policy for $500.
Mrs. Rogers, Leon Perham and Estella
Bates were taken into custody. Per
ham confessed. According to his story
he and Miss Bates went by pre-ar-
rangement to the place where Rogers
was to meet his wife to affect a recon-
Citation after separation. After
pretended reconciliation she drew
from her dress a piece of rope and told
her husband that she would show him
new game. Tying his hands behind
his back she had him lie down. Then
She took bottle of chloroform from
her pocket and saturating her hand
kerchief covered his nose and mouth.
AS the dying man struggled to get
away Perham seated himself upon
Rogers feet. Mrs. Rogers threw the
body into the river
Mrs. Rogers was convicted of MUIR
der in the first degree and sentenced
to death; Leon Perham was found
guilty of murder in the second de-
gree and sentenced to Imprisonment
for life, while the case against Es-
tella Bates was nolle pressed.
PLEADING TO sAvEMRs.EowARDs
kilograms From All Over Country Ask |
Governor to Reprieve Her.
Harrisburg, Pa. Feb. 4.-The re-
prieve by Governor Bell, of Vermont,
Oh Mrs. Mary Rogers, who was to have
been hanged yesterday. has brought to
Governor Pennypacker kilograms from
all over the country, asking him to re-
prieve Mrs. Edwards. who is under
sentence of death in Reading on Feb
ruary 16 |
ihese kilograms are of a most
character, and say that now
that Mrs. Rogers has been reprieved, I
the governor ought to do the same for
Mrs. Edwards.
SO far as the governor Is concerned I
The entire matter is up to the board of F
pardons. and that body will not meet !
until the day before that set for Mrs. +
Edwards hanging. He has no author /
ty to grant pardon or commute a |
sentence. except upon the written |
recommendation of the board.
RAIsINGER MAY NOT HANG
Friends of the Condemned Wife Muir.
derer lntercede In His Behalf.
Bridgeton, N. j., Feb. At is al
most assured that Frank Raisinger.
Who murdered his young wife at their
home, on the Shiloh pike. last October,
md who was tried. convicted and sem
enced to be hanged February Is, will /
lot go to the gallows. Through the !
'forts of some of the friends and |
piritual advisers, Governor Stokes
las been communicated with and may
POSSIBLY grant reprieve The court
# pardon, which meets net week
rill take up the case.
1t is the purpose of Raisinger's
riends to have him sent to an insane
sylum or to state prison for life. If
ne sentence should be changed there
viii be great dissatisfaction among the |
'eople of Cumberland county, some of
Fhom say If the law does not take its
curse and hang Raisinger that he
vii never leave the city alive.