The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1909-11-17
COLUMBUS BELCHER
SOON TO BE HANGED GOVERNOR NOT
LIKELY TO INTERFERE.

Unless Governor W. E. Glasscocl
nterferes, Columbus Belcher, white,
will swing from the scafoId of the
penitentiaFy, Friday, November 10Th
for the murder of Kirk Carter, whom
he shot and killed near Williamson,
Mingo county, nearly two years ago.
With his checkered career it is not
thought that Belcher WILDE granted
another stay by the Governor or his
sentence commuted to life inn
prisonment. He will be the FIRST
white man to be hanged since Moon
ey and Friday, we're swung into eter-
nifty for the murder of an aged man
near Elm Grove, several years ago.
While Governor Glasscock does not
believe in capital punishment he has
on several occasions stated to War
den j. E. Matthews, that he would
not interfere if he thought that the
guilty party had been granted fair
and impartial trial and that there was
not shadow of doubt to his guilt.
Confined in a cell in murderer's S
row. in the south hall of the prison,
Belcher, has become very nervous
curing the past two weeks and has
appealed to his child and wife and
friends in Mingo county to secure for
him stay of execution. While they
are doing everything in their power
for the condemned man little hope is
given for stay of execution. War
den Matthews has received no word
from Governor GlasscOck in regard to
what action, if any he would take.
Tic latter part of last week Warden
Matthews, stated he would start to
issue the death invitations which will
number about IS. These invitations
are issued to the press and physici-
ans and few outside people. The
chamber in which the condemned
prisoners are hanged is very small and
only seventy-fve persons can stand
in it. There is always large de-
mand for tickets and already over
two hundred persons have asked the
Warden for them.
This week the rope will be tested
and the scaFold given thorough
overhauling. Belcher, will probably
swing from the same rope that Frank
Johnson, alias Walden, and Arthur
Brown, were hanged on.
Belcher has twice been confined in
the penitentiary at Moundsville. Af-
ter being pardoned by Gov. Dawson
for shooting man after serving
about four years. Belcher returned
to his home at Williamson. Within
short time after being free man
he shot down Kirk Carter, killing
him Instantly. Belcher pleaded self
defense, but was found guilty of
murder in the first degree and SEN
fenced to be hanged. A motion was
made by his attorneys for new trial
and the authorities fearing that the
slippery Belcher would break Jail had
him removed to the penitentiary un-
til his second trial was given and he
was again found guilty and sentenced
to be hanged. His child and wife is
making an effort to secure a stay for
her crime stained husband.
Isaac n. Yates, is also confined in
the south hall ofthe penitentiary un-
der sentence of death. He was found
guilty of committing a criminal as
sault upon his own daughter and SEN
fenced to be hanged. He has twice
been granted a reprive but will hang
early in December, unless Governor
Glasscock interferes.
Ohio authorities are waking up to
the fact that it is not a good thing