_Serial No. 3944_—Committed from Wirt County, under sentence of death
for the brutal murder (by means of an ax) of his wife and step-son, a
child in years, the motive being to obtain money to be inherited by
them, is a constant reader of the Bible, and at all times is ready to
argue passages of the Scriptures with any one who will do so with him.
His attorneys secured for him a stay of execution pending an appeal to
the Supreme Court.
_Serial No. 3972_—Colored, was committed from Kanawha Co. in 1901, for
the brutal and unprovoked murder of a negro on account of some money
won by gambling. He is a large, middle-aged, gross-looking negro, who
has served a term in the penitentiary for stealing. From his life
record he appears to have been a vagabond, gambling, preying on the
people of his race for a living. He is possessed of some education, a
glib tongue, and appears to have made some friends among white people,
whom he says are his only friends and are the only persons who will
give him any assistance in his effort to escape the gallows. He was
to be executed March 22, 1901, but his attorney procured a stay of
execution until April 25, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court. He is
a constant reader of the Bible.