The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-03-04
W ave Of Sy m p a thy
Sweeps Georgia for
FormerDa nvilleOHicer
WON EMS CLUBS
ANXIOUS TO HELP
Will Take Lead in Movement to
Secure Liberty Of Escaped Muir
derer--Prolninent Atlanta
Citizens to Use Influence in
Behalf Of Imprisoned
Man.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. ]

Atlanta, Ga, March 3.--Wearing his
uniform of Chief OF Police. and sur
rounded by prison bars, Edgar Strip.
ling, convicted of murder in Harris
county, Georgia, fourteen years ago
ana since his escape prominent po-
OF Panville. Va, passed to-day a pris-
oner in Fulton county tower.
And while he was shut off from the
world, IS he has shut off many another
man in his official capacity as Chief
OF Police. great wave of synpa thy
for him swept Atlanta and the state
eliminating in the determination to
secure a pardon for man who has
atoned for his crime BY fourteen years
OF right living.
Men and women in Atlanta OF promi-
nencc in social and p litical and civic
life are unanimous in the opinion that
he has expiated his crime, and that
he should be allowed to return to the
life where he had made so favorable a
start.
Petitions are :. course OF prepare.
ton, which Will be circulated over the
entire State. asking for his pardon
The women's organizations of TIE
State are anxious to help, and VIII
bly, take the lead In the matter
Chances Excellent.
The general opinion seems to be that
his chances for securing his liberty are
excellent, and Stripping or Morris, Is
In high hopes of such action.
Until the matter has taken definite
shape. however. Governor Brown re-
fuses to discuss it. In many cases the
Governor has taken a firm stand
against pardons, but it is believed that
the peculiar features of this case, and
the fact that Stripping had such a
splendid record both before the COM
mission OF the crime and after his es-
cape. will bear heavily in his favor.
The appeal must first be made to the
Prison Commission, and in the event Of
favorable recommendation there. will
then go to the Governor. II the recon-
mendation is unfavorable. Stripping still
has recourse to the Governor direct
Adv!ces from Harris county are to
the effect that there is a great deal OF
sympathy for Stripping there, the nature
of the crime and the great provocation,
which Is admitted. being a factor in
this feeling.
No Appetite for Meals
a large part OF the day Stripping
passed in the rotunda OF the Jail. Lying
on his overcoat. which he had spread
on a bench. with his satchel forming
the pillow for his head, which con-
tanned a picture OF his wife and few
personal effects, and dressed i'll his uni
form. he made striking picture. 1t
was explained that he had used his uni
form TO make the Journey to Atlanta
because he had been buying a home In
Danville, and had no money 10 buy
other clothes. lie did not sleep on
Thursday night coming to Atlanta. he
setd, and he had no appetite for his
meals at the jail to-day. One OF the
peculiar features of the case Is that
there is no reward out for Stripping
and yet private detective has been
Working on the case for three weeks
Who is paying his bill is n question
which is being asked II Atlanta. The
detective said that the funds were
provided by Harris county friends of
William Cornett, whom STRIPPING killed
In 1897.
Tonight, Stripping. in custody OF
Sheriff Smith, Of Harris county, who
brought him here from Danville, was
taken TO Hamilton. Ga, and placed in
ia