Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-11-06
MINISTERS lPPEAL.
Asks Mercy for Claude Swanson Al
len Sentenced to be Electrocuted.

Richmond, Va, Nov. eff Claude
Swanson Allen s electrocuted, in ac-
cordance with the judgment of the
courts, YirginiI will have commit
ted judicial murder, in the opinion
of Rev. George w. Mcdaniel, D. D.,
pastor of the First Baptist Church
of Richmond.
In a statement he has issued to the
people of Virginia, DR.. Mcdaniel asks
I for mercy for the young man who IS
to die in the aectric chair.
Among Other things he said:
Claude Swanson entered the Hills
Vile courtroom late on the day OF
the tragedy. He did not think that mis-
father would be convicted, and could
not have beea party TO conspiracy
to shoot up the court for verdict
which he did not expect. On the coa-
trary, the foffense with which his
father was| charged was provoked by
the deputy sheriff, and persons who
heard the testimony thought Floyd
Allen would be acquitted.
Floyd was sentenced to the penl-
Tertiary for one year upon evidence
which would have secured an acqult"!,
or fine, under ordinary circumstances
Members of that jury were biased.
Personal and political bitterness en-
tered into the prosecution. From :
Jury sworn to render justice the &C
cused received injustice. The clerk
| Of the court was determined to huml-
late and disgrace the many whom he
hated. From my information, the
prisoner at the bar had better repU-
tation for truth and veracity than the
man whose Office placed him in the po-
ssition for putting the names in the
Jury box. To the best of my know
ledge and belief Allen is q better man
than Goad. I say this not to excuse
Floyd Allen for rash and reckless
act, but to show that he was provoked,
.sven goaded, to his crime. Up to that
moment he was more sinned against
khan SHINING. The injustice Of it all
.ankled in the bosom Of man, whose
temper became his master. Und.r
the impulse of the moment, he arose
and perhaps, said: II won't go to
hail"
SAT that moment Dexter Goad die'v
his sun. He was armed with an \
tomato pistol and supplied with box
of cartridges. Mr.. Thomas, who was
in the courtroom from the beginning
ITO the end of the tragedy testified
that the first shot came from the di-
(rection of the officers, rather than |
direction of the Aliens.
"Goad began to shoot at Floyd AL
len before Allen fired at him. VIVA:
did Claude Allen do? He did what
any boy worthy the name of son
would have done. He drew his pistol
and began 70 shoot. To use his own
words, spoken through tears and
causing teans in the Wytheville trial,
"When l seen 'enn shooting at pap, l
shot at them" I say any other son
worthy Of his fathers blood would
have acted likewise.
off my boy saw his father under
: he deadly fire of an enemy and did
OF do all within his power to protect
ne, l would disown him. I ask, in all
andor, will Virginia demand, sanction
permit the execution of this youth?
have looked into his manly face and
elt that if Virginia takes his life,
C vii! commit judicial murder /
ould go to my grave before would
,e responsible for such an act. I
7ould be afraid to meet God or Claude
! liens soul in the judgment If failed
. exert my utmost powers to prevent
|,he tragedy of his electrocutlon."
A. q rirrp;t Court OF the CITY of Al