The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-06
Fourth Respite Delays
Execution Until
March %.
GOVERNOR WILL
MAKE DECISION
Says Statement Will Be Ready
for Public in Day or Two.
Condemned Men Notified
Yesterday Aftcrnoon-Re-
prievc Given Varying
interpretations.
Execution or tho death sentence on

Execution or tho death sentence on
Floyd Allen and Claude Swanson
Allen was delayed for three weeks,
when Governor Monn yesterday after
noon announced q rcprieve for both
men until March 2S. They were TO have
died in the electric chair tomorrow
morning for the murder OF William
n Foster III the Carroll Courthouse
tragedy OF March II. 1912.
This is the fourth respite given TO
thcse two men. who were convicted
last summer. Twice the case has been
before the supreme Court, and many
times il has been before the Cover
nor.
In connection with his decision on
this new move the Governor stated
that within a day or 80 he will make
announcement OF his final decision on
tho appeals Ter Communication OF SON
tcnce. and that he will then have a
statement regarding the case. 10 bc
made public. lie tried to complete thiy
uarer yesterday afternoon upon his re
inrn, from Washington, but was un-
able TO do go. 1t s possible thut II
may he finished to-day
Prisoners Arc Notified
As soon as he received the necessary
notice or the rcspitc from the Cover
iioi. Nn!Cn was Ht \ q Clock NtSicTuil y
afternoon. Major James Il. Wood Sa-
perintcndcnt Of ihe state Penitentiary.
proceeded at once TO communicate 1t
TO the two prisoners. This was their
request. for they had asked Major
Wood TO notify them OF any action
that might be taken regarding thcir
cascS
Aou,' said the superintendent as he
entered the litt!e chamber that con-
tains tho death cells. The Governor
has given you a respite for three
weeks"
The Aliens. who had risen eagerly
TO their feet at the approach OF the
superintendent. were deeply Interested
in tho news he brought They did not
display great feeling. hut were mani
testify relieved at the action taken by
the executive, which means additional
life for them. They thanked the su-
pcrintcndent for his Kindness IIe did
not DISGUISE with them the bearing this
latest action has upon final disposition
Of their cases.
As q result OF the respite, Major
Wood will not issue his sumnIonses
this morning for members Of the Jury
required by law TO witness the death
sentence carried into execution.
Miss wisIcr Surprised.
News OF the action OF tho Governor
Uns taken To Miss Nellie Wislcr. Claude
Nlien sweetheart, py Il reporter for
The Times Dispatch. She WAS much
surprised. rs shc had not expected fur
thcr delays, in view OF the length of
time that has elapsed. However she
too, WAS Nisibly pleased at the extern
sion of life.
told me that If Tho Governor decided
againtH him he had a. soon 20 quickly
and end the suspense. But | suppose
like any ono else, hc would cling TO
life and would be glad TO have delays
II is perhaps the uncertainty of the
caae rather than continued coniinc-
ncut that has troubled him"
Neither Miss Wislcr nor Victor Allen
who arc At the Hotel Richmond. had
any comment to make as TO the out
1ucl for the prisoners under the now
action taken by the Governor. They
could not say whether il looked favor-
able or unfavorablc for the condemned
men They were plainly puzzled by the
situation.
Miss wislcr called at the state Prison
again yesterday and remained with her
sweetheart. Claude. as long as the
rules permitted. She was accompanied
by Victor Allen. who talked long with
tho two men, especially with his
father.
Public Much Interested.
There was general approval last
night OF the action taken by the Gov
ernor, especially in view of the fact
that the time before the date set for
the execution is SO short Ii was felt
he could not let them die this week
under the circumstances There is
still much interest III the cases Of the
two men among many people, who
make constant inquiries as 10 the sit
uation.
Naturally. there is much difference
Of opinion as t9 the next move. Some
of the many friends of the Aliens think
tho outlook is now more favorable. 1t
has been five weeks, they point out
since the Governor heard what lie dcs-
ignateJ to he final argument OH the
petitions for commutation of the SEN
tcnccs to Imprisonment for life. Had
lo been decided, said these common
tntors. he would have been heard from
some time ago.
On the other hand, tho very fact that
reprievc has been granted is taken
by others to point to a determination
not to interfere with the sentences
since. If clcmency is in his mind, the
setting of another date would have
been 3uperiiuous.
Then the other group comes back
with the thought that the final date
may mean the time Of the death OF
Floyd Allen, and that the executive
preferred to make all his rulings
known at once, rather than separnt te
the two propositions ana deal with
them in detail.
The Governor certainly continues to
have the people guessing.
Stricken Wife aud Mother.
News of tho serious Illness OF Mrs.
Floyd Allen at her home in Carroll
County Is being kept from her hus-
band and her younger son, the two in
mates OF the death chamber Victor
Allen is plainly worried over his
mothers condition. and thinks 1t best
that his father and brother should not
be troubled At this time with tho ad-
ditional burden OF tho faithful wifes
and mothers Illness
It Is certain she will I've unable 70
oome to Richmond to bid them good
(Continucd on Third paEel