The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-04-04

va lnter1ere, MS Willingness last /
MT to await written opinion from
thtorney general, who had already |
rf verbally that he was without |
s3ority, was accepted outside to
nm that the life Of Claude Allen
nit be spared. Governor Mann,
lever, cut through the maze of un-
hinty and doubt by fastening
e.
Floyd Allen Executed First.
he jury, which under the law is
hired to witness all executions as
bled outside the penitentiary
es shortly before 1 o'clock, ming
there with the crowd. The pro-
m, as originally announced, was
Fied out without change. While
ministers, who have been unfal-
ng in their loyalty to the con-
pned men, were telling them good
the prison superintendent
pped into the corridor, which sep
ted the cells of father and son, and
d the death warrant. Floyd Allen,
u iimping from the wounds he re-
we'd in Hillsville court battle, said
last fearful farewell to his boy
ID went with tile prison guards to
death chamber.
IA groan escaped him as he sat in
3e chair, while straps and electrodes
1ere being fastened about him. The
aren't was turned on at 1.22 o'clock
shl in four minutes the surgeon mo-
doled to the superintendent that he
was dead.
fTi9 body was speedily removed.
81 Il Claude Died Like Man.
hin the chair was tested while
Glsi e Swanson Allen, namesake of
a 1ited States Senator, was being
led hrough the corridor to the cham
be,Hoor. A trifle pale, he marched
NH measured stride, his head held
kih, his wonderful nerve with him
kcthe end. AS he took his seat he
hked his arms to assist the guards
&o were adjusting the straps and,
u, his father, he went silently and
nafraid. When the autopsy had
ban performed the bodies were Civ
3 over to Victor Allen, Floyd's son,
b whom they were taken to the
puntains of Southwest Virginia for
trial.
A Letter From Claude Allen.
A letter, little short of a dying
tclaration, was issued by Claude
Aen to the press expressing his
tanks for the efforts friends made
| save him from execution. The let
~ reads:
fou have worked hard that JUS
might be given my father and
u. and ! write this to thank
3 exarass sE iaG 16z SIS q
IT to you for your efforts to save
lives. AS the time passes I feel
Ore that the world will learn the
ttue facts.
1T have but few days to live,
shd / want to assure you that your
forts have been for justice. AS I
4ll say at the bar of God so I can
sly to you'll knew of no conspiracy,
aid I did not fire the first shot in the
cfrt room at Hillsville March ID,
1t2.
FPraying God to bless you for
ytur kindness, I will say farewell.
a CLAUDE ALLEN"
Letter from Claude's Fiancee.
letter was dated Monday, and
b Apeculiar coincidence letter
W on Monday by Miss Nellie
w of Pulaski, Claude's fiance
VI o received. Her letter read:
one whose heart is very sad
I to express my deepest thanks
an appreciation to Virginias JUS
tid Dknd mercy loving citizens VIII,
hAe so bravely and so earnestl!
w9ked to save the life of my yer!
de4r friend, Claude Allen, and Will
th{ battle seems lost, and poo
CAude's doom sealed, yet it is SOM
co3solation to know that, though h
still lives-lives in the heart of ev
ery thoughtful man and woman
AMI when he meets God he will no
hate to suffer what his father
un4e, or cousins may have done o
said when he knew nothing abou
it.
81 had hoped, prayed and expect
ed our governor to commute Claude
sentence, feeling sure that he ha
every reason for so doing, but
seems that everything done or sal
in his favor fell on ears steele
against mercy or justice. Yet l full
and freely forgive all vino have erre
i'm this matter. as our heavenl