Year: 1868

On Friday next Jeter Phillips was to have
paid the penalty which righteous law pre-
scribes for the man who murders his fellow
man. On that day felon's grave was to
have received the body of the reputed mur-
derer of woman whom more than three
years ago he swore at the altar to love and
cherish, and whose cold and lifeless body
was found only few months after, stretched
upon the damp sod in Drinkers Woods.
The sentence had been pronounced; a new
trial had been refused for sixty days he
had stared death in the face; ministers Of
the gospel had by day and by night ex-
horted the criminal to flee to the Lamb of
God the gallows was being built ; the rope
was bought; the coffin prepared.


But while there is life there is hope.
Yesterday morning there flashed along the
electric wire message which brought joy
to the prisoners cell, inspired him with
new hope, stopped the wheels of justice,
and now it seems that Jeter Phillips has yet
6fty-seven days to live.


The readers of the Dispatch will not be
surprised at the new aspect of the Phillips
case, having been informed of the steps
which his counsel proposed to take. On
Saturday night Messrs. Crump, Johnson,
Guigon, and Thomas decided to avail them
selves of the decisions of Judge Under
wood in the cases Of Cesar Griffin and
Sally Anderson to secure postponement Of
their clients execution. On Monday night
Colonel Johnson followed Judge Underwood
TO Alexandria, and yesterday morning the
writ of habeGS corpus was awarded, direct
ing the sheriff of Henrico to appear before
the Circuit Court of the United States for
the district of Virginia on the 9th day OF
February next, and to have then and there
the body Of James Jeter Phillips, said to
be illegally confined in the Jail of the said
county.


Phillips was not apprised until Monday
evening of his new hope. At that time his
counsel explained the decisions Of Under
wood, and their probable bearing on his
case, and presented an affidavit to which
they desired his signature. He did not
seem hopeful, but received the information
| with the simple words, I'm glad of it,
| He particularly inquired whether it was
necessary for him to swear positively to the
facts set forth in the affidavit, or whether
he must swear that they we're true to the
best of his knowledge and belief. Being
informed that it was only necessary for him
to believe the statements to be true, the
oath was administered, and his signature
appended to the document. yesterday he
evinced the same nonChalnnce when Mr.
| Guigon told him of the result of the appli-
cation to Judge Underwood. There was
a slight smile, but no evidence by word OF
act of any undue elation, or even as much
as might have been expected.


But it must not be supposed that Phillips
is now the unimpressible creature that he
appeared to be during his several trials
confronting the sister and brother of the
murdered wife without emotion, and re
| ceivins the death sentence, pronounced IL
! words that thrilled to the heart every other
auditor, with stoical Indifference. The
! ministers, who have been unceasing II
their attentions, unite.in saying that since
the decision Of the Court of Appeals he hal
| been different man. Since the first out
burst his heart has seemed to be open t
the truth, and he has received it gladly
Of late he has professed q profound sorrow
for his many sins, claiming to have truly
repented, and expressing hope in Jesus
as his Redeemer. 1t has before been stated
that he has applied to be baptized, and hi
spiritual advisers, before the case assumed
it's present phase, we're considering th'
propriety of taking him to the Leigh-stre
Baptist church, where the ordinance wa
to be administered. We are not advised o
what will now be done about the matter.


Yesterday, just after his counsel left tn
cell, an uncle of the condemned man, VIII
is Baptist minister, visited him ant
talked with him on the subject of religion
To him he said that he had never befor
realized his sinful state. Now, however
he saw how wicked he had been, and fel
that nothing but the infinite mercy of Co.
| could save his soul from hell. Both partie
were much affected during the interview
and the farewell scene was touching indeed


There seems to be difference of opinion
about whether the awarding of writ 0
ha6eas corpus by one Judge suspends tn
sentence pronounced by another. Sheri
Smith says he believes it. his duty to pro
ceed toith the execution unless he receive
an order from the Governor, and publ
opinion at least will sustain him. Th
Governor has not yet granted g secon
respite, but the prisoners counsel clair
that he will do so to-day.