The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-24
HAMILTON GWEN
Weeks RESPITE
Governor Stays Hand of State
Electrician Who Had Pre-
pared Death Chair
EXECUTION DELAYED
FOR SISTERS SAKE
Loved Ones of Condemned Slayer
of Mrs. Hicks Believed His
Sentence Would Be Commut-
ed. Want to Say Goodbye.

On the eve Of his fatal march to
the electric chair, after he had bade
goodbye to his fellow prisoners and
thanked the penitentiary guards for
small attentions 10 him, Angelo S.
Hamilton. whose fifth respite from
eiectrocution for the murder Of Mrs.
Sallle Hicks in Lynchburg on June
II, 1909. expired Friday morning. was
given seven-day lease on life by
Governor Mann.
A few hours before sending Score
tary Ben owen TO the penitentiary to
Inform Hamilton that his doom had
been postponed until next Friday,
Governor Mann had washed his hands
of the case which has so long been
before him and claimed so much of
his time and attention. lie informed
two friends of Hamilton that he had
made most exhaustive and careful
study of the facts and circumstances
IN the case. and although he was pre-
disposed to commute the condemned
| mans sentence, he could not find
single logical ground upon which to
base such action.
Case ON Governors Mind.
The two friends were greatly af-
fected by the governors decision. The
chief executive carried the case on
his mind all day, and each time II
was mentioned to him. he shook his
head and said: II don't know OF an
other case OF condemned man that
have been as deeply interested In
as the case of Hamilton. To be frank
and honest. ] have granted several
respites to the man hoping something
would turn up from some source or
other upon which | could base a COM
NJ a mt hAQ
commanded the respect and admira-
ton of the guards at the penitentiary.
mild hammered, accomplishing and
spending his time in preparing to
meet his fate. / have gone over the
record in the case several times, hop
ing to find some reason for saving
him from the electric chair. but have
failed"
When the governor left his Office
Thursday evening he was still thinking
of Hamiltons case and turning IL over
in his mind. trying to think of some
extenuating circumstance which
would warrant his arresting the stern
hand of relentless law. AT supper he
discussed the case and expressed the
deepest sympathy for Hamilton and
regret that he could not help the
doomed man.
Shortly before O'Clock a telegram
was received Uy the governor, IL
came from two sisters. Of Hamilton.
They explained that attorneys for the
doomed man. who had worked many
months to get Jurors who convicted
their brother to sign q petition for
Communication OF sentence, and to find
John Armstrong. who witnessed the
staying of Mrs. Hicks, that Hamil-
toms sentence would be changed to
life Imprisonment. So confident were
- 10
their telegram, that they did not come
to Richmond to have a final talk
with their brother and tell him good
bye. The sisters pleaded for another
respite. however brief, that they might
see the brother In life once again.
Lost No Time.
Immediately after receiving the
telegram. the governor realized that
this was one humanitarian phase OF
the case that he had not thought OF.
and he communicated with Secretary
owen. telling him to go to the peni-
Tertiary and inform Superintendent
Wood not to execute the laws decree
until next Friday.
Hamilton had already been trans
ferred from murderers row to the
death cell. The electric chair had
been gotten in condition to claim an
other victim. Hamilton had shaved.
dressed himself IN Diaek SUIT IN
which he wished to be buried. and
taken his Bible. his only comforter
during the many months of weary
waiting, to his cell with him.
Because of the completed prepare
ton and the near approach of the
hour for Hamilton's death, Governo
Mann did not wish to lose any time
In getting news of the respite to Ham
ilton, and had Mr.. Owen personally
inform the doomed man. Hamilton
was glad to learn life had been spared
him long enough to say a parting
word to his relatives. although he
declared that he had given up hope
since the governor declined to accept
John Armstrong; story of accidental
shooting. and had become resigned TO
his fate The condemned man was
taken out OF the death cell and re-
moved to murderers' row again.
Hamilton's sisters live In Durham.
They are expected to arrive at the
penitentiary within the next day or
two,
Unless the governor takes further
action in the case. Hamilton Will die
next Friday at dawn. and one of the
most interesting homicidal cases and
experience of q doomed man will
be closed.