The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-11
Little, Murderer Of Six,
Tells Minister He Is
Innocent Man.
CHAIR TO CLAIM
HIM EARLY TODAY
Former United States Marshal ol
Kentucky, Once Pardoned by
Governor, Admits That He
Escaped Arrest for Many
crimes-His Buch-
anan Record.

Every possible effort TO save him
1 from capital punishment, having been
exhausted. Howard Little. convicted OF
the murder of Mrs. Bette Justis.
George Meadows, his wife and three
little children, in Buchanan county
last fall. will pay the penalty of his
crime in the electric chair at the
penitentiary this morning.
Since he was brought to the death
chamber fifteen days ago. Little has
known that his case was hopeless. but
he has stoutiy maintained his nno-
cence up 10 late last night, when, after
his last conference with his spiritual
adviser. REV. j. r. Johnson. pastor OF
The Venablo street Baptist Church. he
said: Il am an innocent man, hut I
had much rather go 10 the electric
chair clear OF the crime of which II
am convicted than TO be executed as
criminal paving his just debt to
society"
Admits other CrImes.
3fr. johnson said last night that he
had been with Little almost every day
since his arrival at the penItentlary.
but that in all his conferences the
convicted man had never given him
any reason 10 believe tnat he was
guilty. although hc never flInched
when reminded that II WAS impossible
TO escape the chair. The preacher
stated further that Little freely con-
fessed to the murder OF George Nc
Kinney in Eastern Kentucky several
a OF
which he had not been tried the ma
ture OF which. Mr. Johnson would not
disclose.
AS during his trial for tho sextupls
murder. .t.itlle up 70 she len.l main ,.ias
An air. not OF stoiid indifference. as Is
exhibited by many confessed criinl-
mails. but that OF q strong man not
afraid TO meet the fate which he has
known FOR some time to be inevitable.
In evidence produced against him.
there was practically no shadow of a
doubt but that he was guilty. in spite
or the fact that - was for the most
part circumstantial. His wife is said
To have been tho only witness to the
crime. but she was not allowed 20
testify. In the absence Of other Wit
ncsses II was thought tnat there was
some chance OF saving his life, but
all efforts OF learned counsel failed
Ia induce the supreme Court TO grant
wrl, of error.
once served ms Marshal.
In spite OF the overwhelming CYL
dence tha, Little is criminal of the
doenes; dye, he certainly bears ou.
few marks OF the ordinary murderer.
He is more than six feet tall, weiGhs
a3s pounds. and is unusually aann-
some Iie was highly thousnt 9. IN
the communities in which he lived. az
~,
friends who came to his aid ana din
everything possible TO save him from
Tho electric chaif, besides taking care
OF his wife and two little c'iiidren
during the trial and after,
He is man OF more than ordinary
ability, having held the Office o.
United States marshal, for the East
ern District of Kentucky for many
Years before he came to, live In this
state. In financial matters ms eon,
duct is said to have been beyond re-
proach, and. in fact, those who knew
him best say that he was ever honess
and upright In all things except ID
his associations with women.
1t was while holding the government
nosition in Kentucky that he commit
ted the first murder. for which ne was
sentenced to life term In the Ken
lucky penitentiary. II was caused ps
a quarrel ever woman. McAlnhe!
the murdered man, in an attempt to
redrcss a real or faucied wrong to her
was shot to death. Little had served
hut few months of this term when
he was pardoncd by the Governor OF
Kentucky, to whom he was very close
politically. Immediately after BEING
released he moved TO Virginia, where
he took position With the Ettci
Lumber Company, one of the larses
concerns OF the kind in this country
KILLED Entire Family.
81 His list of crimes was completee
while acting as foreman for this COM
many. He and his family engaged
board with the family Of George Mead
ows, and for time all Went well
Trouble soon cropped up in the shape
of another woman, and one nlsH
early last fall, when ne returned home
he killed Mrs. Justis, Mrs, Meadows
her three children, anu shot Geofs
Meadows as he ran from ,ne mouse,
when the people of Buchanan count
became convinced that Little va
guilty there was a great deal OF tai
OF lynching. and In order to avoid tn
.hc was moved Immediately after ~
arrest to the Roanoke Nlail. NJ VI
time, set for the trial there WAS som
talk or calling the military to Buchah
an Courthouse, but as there was y
kind OF demonstration 1t was not done
After conviction he was returned
the Roanoke jail, awaiting removal 7
this city for his execution. wa
set for January 7, On day hefor
Y he was to have been brought TO IN
penitentiary a guard was sent TO Roa
noke, but came back empty -landed,
the Governor. on petition OF Little
counsel, had granted respite OF thtrt
! days. which expires this ,morning' 60
After being assured that there wa
NO longer al chance to save his III
Little requested that his body be car
ried hack to MCDOWELL county, w. Va