Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-10-06

They eloctrocuted Albert Barrett at
the Virginia Penitentiary, Friday morn
ing, August 81, 1917 and thus rang
down the curtain on one OF tho In
dividuals implicated In the killing Of
w. T. Roach, the white farmer. This
was done as much to appease public
sentiment in the county from which
he hailed as anything else. Barrett
was an Industrious citizen. Ho had
purchased a farm. mules, and no had
a devoted wife and sixteen year old
boy, who Is now behind the bars in
tho same institution. Barrett had a
good reputation and If he had ever BIO
fore taken his neighbours goods, tho
courthouse records do not show It.
Roach charged him with taking a
load OF his wheat from his farm and
he alleged that he tracked the wagon
wheels to. EarIattsa premises. Barrett
returned to Roach the quantity of
wheat alleged to have been taken and
1t Is in tho testimony that he offered
to pay him. Roach insisted upon turn
Ing him over to the county authori
ties and proceeded to arrest Barrett
upon his own promises without the
authority Of law. He sent Mr.. Col
Inns to secure warrant for Barrett
and In the meantime stood guard over
this colored man on the colored mans
own premises.
Barrett ran away from Roach and
Roach pursued him, Barrett stumb
ling over pile of brush fell and
Roach got on him and was choking
him, when Barrett called on his six
teen year old son. Aubrey for help.
Aubrey came to his fathers aid with
q ut{ nj Ia fI0a II
blow. which fractured the skull. The
two hid the body in order TO give
them time to leave tho neighborhood
and they made their escape, being ar
rested near Lynchburg. Attorney W.
l.. Lancaster Of Farmville represent
cd the prisoners. He protested against
tho ruling Of the Court and upon
seeing that tho case was hopeless
withdrew from tho boys defense leav
ing him without counsel
Helpless and alone, Judge Hundley
over his own signature admits that
no tried this boy, who was without
counsel and that he sentenced him to
be electrocuted. Attorney Lancaster
gave as his reason for not represent
Ing the boy, that he felt that he could
not secure for him that justice to
which he was entitled. 1t has been
shown, despite His Honor, Judge
Hundley's statement to the contrary
that he was without any discretion
in the matter, that he could have sent
this boy to a reformatory he being
under tho age limit. eighteen years
being the number Of years specified
in the Virginia statute.
The only redeeming feature about
the whole matter Is tho fact that Vir
ginians came to the rescue OF this
helpless, sObbing. frightened black ur
chin, who had In q time Of dire dis
tress rallied to the aid Of his father.
You may say what you will, but to our
mind, he needs no reformation. Lot
us suppose that tho color OF the par
ties In this CONTROVERSY could be re
yersed. What IL Roach had been a
colored man and Barrett white one?
Would not Aubrey Barrett havo been
hailed as a hero, instead Of now be-
ing within the shadow of the electric
chair. where his unfortunate father
has already paid the penalty for his
hasty action?
1t Is sad story 1t has aroused
the latent feeling Of sympathy in the
white men Of this commonwealth.
Numbers OF white citizens have
signed a petition to the Governor for
the communication Of the sentence Of
death. We would to God that they had
gone step further and released from
confinement one Of the most remark
able children OF paternal fealty ever
In the history Of any commonwealth.
1t may be that his Excellency, IT. c..
Stuart. Governor OF Virginia may
SEQ 1t In this light. Certain it Is that
he has been deeply moved by this trag
ic happening and in the turmoil Of
passing events may exercise his DOW
ers to the end that life Imprisonment
shall not be the portion OF a devoted
son, who went Just little too far in
executing the command Of a loving