Oh, to See His Face Again
December 30, 1899
Summary
A black man escapes prison after being sentenced to death, and the Governor is asked to "offer a reward for his capture, dead or alive."
Transcription
While his death-watch slept Walter Cotton (colored), under sentence to be hanged January 12th for the murder of Charles Wyatt, an aged Portsmouth citizen, escaped from Portsmouth city jail at 4 o’clock this morning. Cotton, with a file, sawed the steel bars of his cage, walked past the sleeping guard, stole the latter’s overcoat and hat, and walked out of an unlocked door to liberty.
A posse, with hounds, is in pursuit, and to-night is heading for the Dismal Swamp, where the murderer is expected to be. The death-watch, Saunders, was arrested. Cotton is a giant in stature, and the most dangerous prisoner ever confined in the Portsmouth jail. The Governor has been asked to offer a reward for his capture, dead or alive.
A posse, with hounds, is in pursuit, and to-night is heading for the Dismal Swamp, where the murderer is expected to be. The death-watch, Saunders, was arrested. Cotton is a giant in stature, and the most dangerous prisoner ever confined in the Portsmouth jail. The Governor has been asked to offer a reward for his capture, dead or alive.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Elias Sturim
Citation
“Oh, to See His Face Again,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1763.