The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-02-24
SENTENCED TO DIE.
Marion PAR, a White Man, Must Pay
the Penalty
For Numbering Another White Mar
on tho Galrows mt Columbia
on April IL Next
on April Ii Next

The State says that there was en-
acted in the Riohland court Thursday
a scene dramatic in the extreme and
only too ipfrequently seen in the State
of South Carolina. Marion Parr, O
convicted murderer, was placed teiore
the bar and sentenced to be hanged
On the 14th day of Aprii next. The
court room was we'll filed with spect.
ators.
Before the car stood the criminal,
the first Of his race to be in such q
position since Robert Hodge stood up
to receive his sentence in 1869. There
was a deathly silence over the Assem-
bled crowd, and during this time
scarcely a word was spoken save by
the principal actors In this tragedy In
The life OF white man who had bean
convicted Of foul murder.
When asked the customary question
by the judge, as to whether he had
anything to say why the sentence of
death should not be passed upon him.
the prisoner in q calm and cool man.
ner expressed the opinion that he had
proved an aiiti and consequently was
innocent OF the crime. He claimed that
becauce he was poor AMI friendless he
was being prosecuted by some one, fer
what cause he did not know. His re-
marks were short and he display ed lit.
6le, In TACT not any, nervousness while
making bis speech. Parr closed with
a plea for the mercy Of the court.
seemingly not knowing that the only
punishment which could be inflicted
under the verdict was that of death
At the conclusion Of the prisoners
remarks and amid complete silence,
the judge started upon the speech
which was to conclude with the words
which would, in all probability, settle
the fate OF the prisoner at the bar.
Judge Mcdonald said that he would
not review the evidence adduced dur
ing the trial and also stated that he
regretted that he could not grant a
new tIiii. This he said he could not do
and perform his duty, and perform his
duty he would, unpleasant Though l.
might be. The contentious OF the de
fendant's counsel he had carefully
weighed and nothing would have
pleased him better than to have grant.
cd the new trial, but he had not been
conscientiously able to do so.
He said that before him was one OF
the unpleasantest duties which man
Is called upon to perform for his coun-
try. Counsel had been appointed for
the defendant and we'll had they rep.
resented him. He hoped that they
would be able to carry the case to .the
supreme court, SO as to decide upon
all points Of the law. Upon the evil
dence, that court had no power &c
act. The correctness or the falsity OF
that had been passed upon by fail
and impartial jury.
Judge Mcdonald went on to say
that the prisoner had claimed that he
was Innocent, but In the human trib-
unals such matters Guild only be indg.
ed on the evidence presented, bott
Tor and against the prisoner. Tnere
might be an error, but 30 far as hu.
man justice could decide the prisoner
was guilty Of a most foul and unjusti
he'd murder. Under the verdict de-
livered by the jury there could be only
one sentence passed. There was ONLY
one power that cIuld save the guilty
man, unless possibly The supreme
court granted new trial, aud that
vas the governor. The Judge said thai
he was sorry for the man and hoped
that every effort would be made uC
save him from death. During the
time which will Oe given to the priY
oner the judge said that he wouit
commend him to God and hoped thai
the. condemned man would spend tlft
time In praying 10 the Almighty G )c
Tor forgiveness. He would find in til,
Christian religion that comfort anf
consolation or which he was In sor;
need. The guilty man had been 'triec
before God and his country, SO his oul,
nope was to pray God grant him Hi
forgiveness.
Judge Mcdonald then sentenced
the unfortunate man to be hung o,
Friday, the 18th day Of April next
There was sigh Of relief as soon a!
the fatal words had been pronounced
and the crowd quickly left the cour
room. Parr did not.exhibit ary emo
tion and seemed as little Concerned
In the proceedings as heretofore. FL
was returned to the jail until the ds,
OF bis execution, which is Frlda,
morning, only 20 days distant. An.
on THAT morning, unless there Is ia
tervention, Marion Parr will stant
trial before his G ID as here he ha
stood trial before his country.
kilird by Train.