The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-11-07
RICHMOND, VA Specialize

RICHMOND, VA Specialist
$40 O'clock Saturday morning
the heavy steel gates at the State
pcnitentiary slowly opened and
admitted Floyd Allen and his son,
Claude swanson Allen, closed
again, and forever shut from their
view auSht else but prison walls,
the Striped-ciad cOnVictS, the
Srim-VisaSed guards, the steel
bars of their cages, and, on No
vcmbcr 22d, the interior of the
death chamber.
The condemned men reached
the city few minutes before
O'Clock, the train from Roanoke
being considerable more than an
hour late. They were accOmpa-
MED by Assistant Superintendent
Penn and Guard Mullin. At the
station, when the party arrived,
was Major James B. Wood, the
superintendent, with carriage.
The fact that the men were TO
come 10 this city today had been
kept secret, Major Wood being
considerably surprised when "A re-
porter for The journal saIuted
him soon after . O'Clock.
When the prisoners alighted
from the train they were hand
cuffcd. Claude was on the right
of his father, the latter walking
on clutches. The young man,
straight. broad shOuIdered. his
handsome, clcar-cut features lit
with n smile. walked with his
head high. He appeared cool and
uncOncerned. Father and son
walked TO the carriage and the
young man helped his father in
as best ne could with his olsen
gagged arm.
Floyd Allen entered the car
riage first, taking his crutcheS in
and placing them at his side.
Then Claude took seat. Assist
ant Keeper Penn took a front seat
with Major Wood, and the latter
took up the lines ready to move
Off.
Better let me have those
crutches on this SIDE" said Mr..
Penn, who was guarding against
any sort of an attack. Floyd took
them up and handed them over
without n word. Then away the
party sped, going out Byrd Street
and away TO the prison.
DID NOT SLEEP.
The train left Roanoke an hour
late, and il failed TO make up any
of the time between that city and
Richmond. The men we've given
scat in the sleeping car, but
they declared that they did not
care to sleep. The prisoners gave
not the least trouble.
Did You have a chance TO sleep
on the trip TO the city?" was ask
on the trip to the city," ask a
reporter, the only newspaper man
mt the depot when the men arrived
"Why, no. We enjoyed talking
TO these gentlemen" replied
Claude Allen, abiding to the
guards. 1--WE did not care to
Sleep"
This is said to be the first time
that either of the men has been
more than fifty miles from home.
Before the HilIsville tragedy Floyd
Allen had been to Roanoke once,
and Claude had once visited
Lynchburg.
SMALL CROWD ON HAND.
Major Wood said that he had
purposeIy kept the arrival of the
men a secret, desiring to avoid a
crowd at the station.
81 received the papers in the
case from the clerk of the court
yesterday morning." said Major
Wood, land at once decided TO
send for the men. 1 directed that
Mr.. Penn and Mr.. Mullln should
go, and they left here at o'clock
yesterday afternoon. They got to
Roanoke about 1890 last night.
They had then two hours in which
to get the men from the Jail to
the station for the return trip.
The train was more than an hour
late, hence the delay in getting
here this morning."
There were very few persons at
the station other than a few pas
sengers and the usual station en-
ployes and trainmen. A few per-
sons, on their way to work, when
they heard that the "AIIens are
coming this morning." stopped