The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-10-20
HARRIS DIED
ELECTRIC CHAIR
This MORNING
Appeals To Governor of
North Carolina Failed
To Interfere With the
Due Course of Law AS
Carried Out In the State
Penitentiary At Raleigh

Raleigh, n. C., oct. POI. r.
Harris, former Ridgecrest merchant,
and brother-in-law of the late United
States Judge letter G.. Pritchard was
olectrocuted at the state prison here
this morning at 1920 for the killing
of F. w. Monnish, philanthropist of
Tuscaloosa. at Ridgecrest, on Septem-
ber 3, 1920. Two shocks were re-
quired to produce death. Harris
made no statement regarding the kill
ing.
Story of the Crime
Raleigh, ~ c.. oct POI. T. Har.
r's. who was electrocuted at the state
prison here today was convicted in
Huncombe county of the murder of
+. W. Monnish, philanthropist. of
Tuscaloosa, Ala, at Ridgecrest on
September 3, 1920.
Harris was tried in Buncombe
county superior court. found guilty by
Il jury OF murder in the first degree
and Judge b. +. Long sentenced him
70 be elcctrocuted. At the trial Har-
rlS counsel set a plea of insanity,
while the prosecution contended that
Harris had killed Monnish because of
the latter's activities against block
ade runners.
Harris appealed to the supreme
court Tor new trial, but by three
to two decision. the verdict of the
lower court was affirmed
On September , of this year. one
year after the killing of Monnish. n
hearing was held in the offices of
Governor Morrison on petition fo.
communication of the sentence. At
torneys for Harris attacked the char
acter OF Rev. Livingston r. Mays.
manager of the Baptist Assembly
grounds at Ridgecrest, one of the
principal witnesses for the prosecu-
tion, and argued that no other man
had ever been executed when the SUI
preme court had been divided three
to two. The governor declined the
application and set October Goth as
the day for the execution.
Three days ago Harris chief coun.
sci Judge Frank j. Carter. issued a
long statement in which he appealed
to the conscience" of the people. to
prevent the execution of Harris. de-
claring that on newly discovered evi-
dence as to the character of the
states principal witness the sentence
should be cOmmuted and also de-
clared that Harris father had been
insane and that he had a sister at
one time confined in an insane asyl-
um at Knoxville. Tenn. In response
to this appeal the governors office
yesterday and last night was flooded
with telegramS and telephone calls
urging him to commute the sentence.
The governor issued u statement last
night saying he would not interfere
with the judgment of the courts, and
that Harris must die this morning.
Monnish was shot shortly after
leaving the store of Harris at Ridge
crest, Harris using a shotgun. Mr..
Monnish died on a railroad train
while being taken to Asheville for
treatment. Harris has never made
any statement regarding the killing.
although no effort was ever made to
deny that he shot Mr.. Monnish.
The defense claimed that Harris
was suffering from a hallucination
that Monnish had been intimate with
Mrs. Harris.
Harris was a brother-in-law of the
late Judge Peter c. Pritchard and
at one time was reputed to be veal.
thy He leaves a widow, daughter
and son. all of whom have made per-
sonal appeals to the governor recent
ly to have the sentence committed.
The son and daughter were with
their father up to late last night.
His body will be accompanied by
them to Ridgecrest today
until Saturday, when he will go to
WI III in otAn to Ia