Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-25
CLEMENCY IS XMAS GIFT
OF WESTMORELAND DAVIS
Virginia Governor Issues Pardons
to 1,wcnty-Onc Prisoners in
Pcnitcntiary.
WILLIAM MOORE is FREED
Accompc Man. Sentenced to Five
Years Imprisonment Last Christ
mas, Is Released Today by Ac-
ton OF Chief Executive.

Jostling their fellow citizens, rush.
ing, scrambiing and perusing Christ
mas cards. Yuietide shoppers yestcr-
day launched n mad last minute Of
fcnsivc in an attempt to purchase
gifts for those they had forgotten. All
the while this mad scramble was tax
ing place Governor wesimorcland
Davis sat in his Office and gave out his
one Erctest Christmas gift--clemcncy.
The Governors present was in the
form Of pavdons 10 twcnty-one in
mates OF the state Pcnitent!ary.
No amount OF money could have
purchased 4 gift which would have
brough; as much rejoicing the ac-
ton OF the chief executive OF Vir-
Eina. Liberty at Christmas time
meant more to those prisoners than
anything they nigh; receive from
their fellowmen. Today there are
twcnty-onc light hearted. care-free
and grateful former inmates of the
penitent!ary en- route TO their homes
and their families.
William Moore Pardoncd.
While the pardons came from the
Office of the Governor. Colonel lie Roy
Hodges. chief of staff, also had hand
in bringing about Il joyous Christmas
20 one Of the individuals. The colonel
himself journeyed 10 the State Farm
yesterday to carry one OF the pardons
to William Moore. native OF Acco-
mac County. The colonels desire to
set Moore free and his knowledge OF
the case. which he regards as one OF
the most deserving on the list, would
not allow him 10 trust the precious
document TO the mails and he handed
it TO the prisoner yesterday after
noon.
Moore was sentenced 10 five years
as the result OF hrawl At a carnival
in Accomac last fall. lie struck a
man on the foot and blood poisoning
Sc, in later and the latter died
Moore began his sentence last Christ
mas Eve ard received his pardon ex-
act!y one year later. Citizens OF Ac-
comac sanctioned the pardon and have
been active in setting Moore free
Is Trustworthy Prisoner.
Since being confined to the state
Farm. Moore. who is farmer. has
been one Of the most trustworthy
prisoners ever placed there. His CON
duct from the outset was such that
he was given every liberty possible,
and he has held down Il responsible
clerical position in the Office at the
farm. Moore. who has family. left
last night for Accomac. He will ar
rive a; his home in time to spend
Christmas. and Colonel lie Roy
Hodges has The satisfaction of know
ing that II WAS he who had n part in
making this happy and merry
Christmas for AT least one individual
The list OF pardons. which includes
the names OF nine white men. follows:
Charles T. Cole twnitc). No. 1919.
convicted in Newport News.
g. Jackson tcolorcd). No. lil7G. con
victcd in Portsmouth
Fred Adams Cwhitc). No. 1855. con-
rictcd IN Lee County.
ice Bruuskill tcolorcd). No. 1867,
convicted in Cumberland County.
Bruce Monroe Ccolorcd). No. l2OS5. |
convicted In Richmond.
James Moslcy twhi,e). No. 1861.
convicted in Norfolk
Emma Foster Ccolcrcd). No. 1878.
convicted in Norfolk.
Ienny Thornton (colorcd), No
lo?So, convicted in Henrico County.
S.-muei Hardy ,wh!tcJ. No 1885.
convicted in NanserpInd County.
Orrin Num- Cwhjicj. NO. 1850. CON
vic,ed in Henry County
Frank Brooks (colorcd), No. 1920.
convicted in Prince Edward County.
Fritz F.eeb ,wh!,e). No. 1899. con-
victcd In Norfolk
Thomas Spady Ccolorcd). No. 1850.
convicted in Warwick County.