The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-06-23
HAMILTON TO DIE
IN CHAIR FRIDAY
Gov. Mann Reiterates Decis-
ion Not to Interfere in Case
of Condemned Man
FRIENDS OF PRISONER
OVERCOME WITH GRIEF
John Armstrong and Mrs. Parsons
Weep Bitterly When Told
Their Friend Must Meet
Awful Fate.

Angelo Hamilton must forfeit his
life to the State in the electric chair
At the penitentiary Friday morning.
All hope OF saving the condemned
man from the awful fate prescribed
for him for the murder OF Mrs Sallie
Hicks In Lynchbufg last summer. was
abandoned Thursday. when Governor
interfere in the case.
John Armstrong, a witness to the
shooting. who says he Was drinking
with. Hamilton on the day OF the
tragedy at a picnic, and who swore
that the killing was accidental, called
at the governors Office again Thurs
day to ask that HamIlton's life be
spared. but the chief executive said
inc law must take It's course.
Explains but IN vain.
Armstrong called TO see the Cover
nor W ednesoay to further explain an
aff1davit he made in Hamilton's De-
hsia, but the chief executive was not
in Richmond. Armstrong described
to Secretary Ben owen how the shoot
ing was done. and illustrated how he
pulled hamilton's arm down on
level with Mrs. Hickss back and
thereby caused the fatal injury to the
woman. he returned Thursday 10
tell the governor the same story.
Governor Mann was busy, but
Secretary owen told him Armstrong
latest version OF the shooting. the
governor said he had made most
exhaustive investigation OF the case,
consulted Judge Christian. of the
Lynchburg corporation court and
Commonwealth Attorney yanesy as to
the facts adduced at the trial. and was
convinced that Armstrong; story was
unreasonable and improbable He,
therefore. requested Secretary Owen
~ inform Armstrong and Mira John
EArs0n. q TREAD az Hamilson.s FAM
aly, who accompanied him. that HAM
uton must die friday.
Innocent Man 20 Die.
Armstrong reeied and staggered and
gaxed vacantIy into space when told
by Secretary Owen that his friends
fate had been sealed. After struggling
with eontending emotions for several
moments Armstrong began to weep and
said. An innocent man IL going to be
killed" Mrs. Parson also wept for sew
eral moments. Although neither of
them is related TO the doomed man.
both were as deeply affected as If he
were brother.
Hamilton was convicted at the No
vemoer term OF the Lynchburg Cor
porafion Court OF the murder of Mrs
Hicks at a picnic In West Lynchburg
last July, the testimony showing that
he was drunk and threatened to XIII
the woman before firing two bullets
Into her back The conviction In No
vember came after two previous juries
had disagreed as to his guilt. the first
being hung by two jurors and the sec
ond by one man.
Three Rsspitss Granted.
He was first sentenced to be electro
cuted on February 18th last Governor
Swanson respited him until March IS,
because the condemned mans sister
said witness who could clear her
brother was being sought by attorneys
for the prisoner. Governor Mann grant
ed Hamilton respite until April 20. to
allow further time to apprehend the
witness, Armstrong. and still another
until May 30 to allow time to find him.
Several days before the date OF the
eiectrocution Hamilton's attorneys
found Armstrong. and the death chair
candidate was respited until June "a.
Governor Mann has given the closest
study to the case and sat UP several
nights examining the record. Arm
strong's affidavit. Armstrong's verbal
testimony. and petitions from Jurors
and citizens asking for Communication OF
sentence or a pardon. He also received
letters and kilograms from several
ministers and business men OF Lynch
burg, who requested him not to inter-
fere. as several murderers had escaped
punishment in the Hin City recently.