Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-03-27

MANN IS MEMORABLE.
Letters of Thanks From the Younger
Allen and Miss Wissler, His
Sweetheart, are Given Out.

Richmond, Va, March 27.-Attor-
neys for Floyd Allen and his son
Claude, condemned to die in the elec-
trio chair tomorrow for their part in
the shooting up of the Hillsville court
house on March IA 1912, did rot make
final appeal for clemency yesterday,
but may do so today. In view, how
ever. of Governor Mann'S last state
ment it is certain that the appeal, if
made, will be in vain.
Victor Allen spent the entire al
ternoon with his father anc brother,
who are reported bearing up we'll M
der tho mental strain of certain death.
Miss .;2!lie WisSler, who was en-
gagged % wed Claude Allen. is expect
ed to arrive before the hour Of execu-
ton and bid her sweetheart the final
goodby.
TIE prison authorities say the con-
demned men are passing their time in
prayer and meditation. They are Wis
listed by ministers of the gospe daily.
A letter, little short of dying dec
laration, was issued by Claude Allen
TO the press yesterday expressing his
tharks for the efforts friends have
made 20 save him from execution.
The letter reads:
"l-ou have worked hard that jus
tice might be given my father and my
self and | write this to thank you for
ycur efforts to save our lives. A
time passes feel sure that me world
will learn the true facts.
" have but few days to live, and
want to assure you hat your efforts
have heen for justice. As vii! say
at he bar of God, so | can say to
you'll knew of no con piracy, and |
did Tot fire the first shot in the court
roo!a at HilisviIle March II, 1912.
"Praying God to bless you for your
kindness, | will say farewell.
CLAUDE ALLEN"
Expressing appreciation for the ef-
forts friends have made in hchalf oi
Claude Swanson Alien, her Swceth-
hca:.. who goes to the electric chair
Friday. Miss Nellie Wissler, Of Pulas-
XII, addressed letter to the press yes
terG:y full Of grief at her lovers
fate.
81 had hoped prayed and expected,
she wrote" our Governor would COM
mute Claude'S sentence. feeling sure
that he had every reason for so doing,
but i seems that everything done or
said in his favor fcf! on ears stec!2d
against mercy or justice. Yet I fully
ard rrc eyforgive ali who have erred
in this matter, as our Heavenly Father
says we should.
"Whi!e thinking Of our great sorrow,
God knows | do not forget the loved
ones Of the unfortunate dead, some OF
whom know, and with ali Of whom !
deeply sympathize. Many times !
nave heard Claude express his great
sympathy for them and say that he
wOrld mucn rather have died than to
have brought sorrow to the heart Of
any woman or child
R:cn the most optimistic were skep-
t;cs Yesterday about the usefulness OF
another appeal to Governor Siam. In
the light of the statement that the
Governor made at the Simc Of the last
communication, such step promised no
hope. Talk Of public dcmonstra-
ton on behalf of Claude Allen, if it
ever existed, was generally discounted
as sponsible hyster;a.
Today will witness the firal fare
wells between the condemned men and
the friends and relatives to whom the
prison authorities will grant admit
tance. Victor Allen said last night
tha, he intended to spend most Of to-
day at the penitentiary in consultation
with Claude and his father, and will
probably see them for the last time TO-
night
The only member of the family from
Carroll county who is expected is Gar
land Allen, youngest brother Of Floyd.
He is aprimitive Baptist preacher,
and lies about six miles from HlIlSyil:e.
I'm a conversation over the long dis
,taree telephone with Victor. Saturday,
e,,.. fco,t;,u.d M, ma ,Se f6JIr 0s..'' .