The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-01
Governor Will Be Asked
To-Day for Commuta-
ton of Sentences.
JUDGE BOLEN TO
SEE EXECUTIVE
Claude's Sweetheart Sees Him
Again-Plea to Be Based on
Inconsistency of Various
Sentences and c audcs
Youth-Judge Ma sizes
Chair Here.

Final assault upon The sympathies
OF Governor Mann will be made this
morning in behalf Of Floyd Allen and
Claude swanson Allen. when those
who are espousing the cause OF the two
men under sentence OF death IN the
electric chair will present their pleas
for combination. Practically all the
efforts viii be put forth 10 save the
life Of the younger man. since most OF
those behind the movement have de-
clined to aid the father.
Among those who will appear before
the Governor will be Judge d. W. Bolen,
OF Carroll County, the lifelong friend
and attorney Of the Allen family. II
was he who has testified at all the many
trials tina, he saw Claude Allen FIRE the
fret shot on that memorable March
morning-the shot that killed Judge
Thornton l.. Massie. first among
iurists oimodern times incivilized lands
20 be sho of the bench in the discharge
Of his sworn duties.
viii Plead for Claude.
Il had half d dozen small errands
in Richmond said Judge Bolen yes
terday. and so chose this time 20
come expec. 20 ask the Governor
10 commute the sentence of Claude
Allen because he was always an obe-
dent son and his fathers VIII has been
law. | feel that he would have done
ANYTHING Floyd Allen told him to do.
As 20 the father. | would not stand in
the way Of cemency for him. although
I do not know that could say anything
in his behalf
Judge Boen. perhaps CAROLS lead
ing citizen was member Of the Con-
siItutiona Convention and formerly sat
on the bench Of his circuit. He has an
cngagemeh, With Governor Mann for
Q 30 o clock this morning. and VIII dis
cuss with the executive the details Of
the court murders.
Al II o'clock the formal hearing viii
be begun The prisoners will be rep
resented by Victor NJ. Allen, son of
Floyd Allen Judge William r. Rhea.
of the State Corporation Commission.
and Luther l.. Scherer. of the board Of
directors Of the State Penitentiary.
Victor Allen said last night that he
expected R. II Willis. OF Roanoke,
attorney for the defense in the trials.
20 arrive this morning 10 speak before
the Governor.
Il is not known that the Common
wealth will be represented.
sweetheart Still Faithful.
Miss Nellie WIsler Claude's sweet
heart. is also In the city She went 20
the State prison al O'Clock yesterday
morning and remained in the death
tier until noon. talking with the youth
and his father, who occupy opposite
cells She may go again to-day Her
plans for The next few days were un
certain last night. She may not see
the Governor to-day. but may defer
visiting him until later. II that rs per
mitied
The length Of the argument. which
will be he'd in the anteToon 10 the
Governors Office. IL doubtful While
II was stated when the last respite
was granted that the argument would
be limited to one hour. II IL improbable
that a strict tine limit will be i'm
posed.
Governor Mann stated yesterday
that after the hearing he would pro-
coed with the preparation of his state
nen- 10 the public lie Indicated that
perhaps three or four days viii elapse
before it IS ready for the public. but
will tx upon no definite time.
Chair Brought Here
The chair in which Judge Thornton
l.. Niassle sat when he was killed by
claude Allen has boen brought 10
Richmond. and was seen by many
people Yesterday in the law offices OF
O'Flsherty, Fulton 4 Byrd. on the
eleventh floor Of the Mutual Building.
Richard Evelyn Byrd. who repre-
scented the prisoners IN the recent
supplement- proceedings before the
Supreme Court Of Appeals. may take
the chair to the Governor Office to-
day. This however. has not been
definitely determined upon.
The presence Of the chair N Rich
rnond is accounted for by the existence
of q bulc, hole in the left side. or on
The opposite side from where Sidna and
claude Allen fred the fatal shots.
Judge Bocn. who knows more Of what
happened than any other witness. dis
cusscd this matter last night. His
theory is that when Clerk GOad'
pistol hung as he testified. and he
stepped into The inc.o sure at his own
dc-k for protection while trying 20
put II IN working order he did not
emerge 20 quickly a. he had thought
On the contrary. thinks Judge Bclen.
when the pistol was repaired Goad
stepped 10 the entrance and there.
paueing. engaged IN a duel with Sldua
Allen. who Was partially protected by
he large pillars which stand a. each
end 81 tho railing In front % the Judge
bench. In this position. Gosd might
have fled The shot that lodged IN the
nudge char. However. the wounds
received by Judge Niassic did no; come
from that direction. having been fred
by Claude and Sdns Allen from tho
northwest corner uf Tho courtroom.
says claude Pred shot.
Judge Bolen is still Arm iu th~ con
v.cfiun. based upon what hc saw. that
claude Allen fred tho first sho; IIc
also insists that FLOYD Allen was
reaching 90 The rear. apparently for
his pistol Of winch Judge Boicn saw
tho CLEAN. before any shot was dis
charged IN the courtroom Floyd
Aliens defiance Of the courts order
that he g. to jail. says Judge Boicn.
was notably vigorous and positive
" l. understood that no additional
evidence il 70 be offered. but that the
appeals Of today will 30 limited 20
pleas for mercy for Claude Allen be-
cause Of Nh youth and HE fathers
influence. and % arguments for making
fhe sentences o. tho Two condemned
men coniorm 20 those ~ Sidna
Allen and Wesley Edwards These