Articles Regarding the Murder of Frank Tabor, 1904 - Tazewell Co. VA Clinch Valley News Tazewell, Tazewell Co., VA J. A. Leslie-Editor Published Each Friday Established 1845 Cost-$1.00 per year-In Advance Articles Regarding the Murder of Frank Tabor This was Francis M. "Frank" Tabor, born 1872, Pocahontas, Tazewell, Tazewell Co., VA. Frank was the son of William J. Tabor & Elizabeth Jane Crockett. William J. Tabor was the s/o Francis Tabor & Mary Shrader. (NOT Sanders. The name was entered on the marriage record wrong). I would love to know if his name was Francis Marion Tabor. Several men in this era were named after Francis Marion . As an added note of interest: Francis Marion , 1732? ? 1795, was also know as the "Swamp Fox" of the Revolutionary War era, known for his guerilla tactics against the British in South Carolina. Warning: You might not wish to read the last article dated May 6, 1904., it is about Henry Woodward’s hanging. The articles have a discrepancy in the date of his death. The first article listed the date as Christmas night the second article stated December 26th. Friday, January 8, 1904 Negro Kills a White Man In Sam Matz’ saloon at Pocahontas Christmas night , Frank Tabor, inside foreman for the Pocahontas Colleries Company, was shot and instantly killed by a Negro variously known as Harry Parks and Henry Woodward. It is said that an hour or two previous, while Tabor and a friend were having a social drink in another saloon, they became involved in a quarrel with some Negroes, and Tabor gave one of them a thorough thrashing. The Negro then went home and getting his pistol came back down the street. Finding Tabor in Matz’ saloon, he opened fire without a word. Tabor fell at the second shot. The Negro made his escape, but was captured at Coopers next day, and was hurried across the mountains to Tazewell to prevent a lynching, of which there was strong talk. He is now in Tazewell jail. Friday, February 19, 1904 HENRY WOODWARD TO PAY PENALTY Murderer of Frank Tabor Sentenced to Die Henry Woodward, the Negro who killed Frank Tabor in Pocahontas, on December 26, last, was tried at this term of the Court., and found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced by judge Henson to be hanged on April 22nd, next. It will be recalled that Woodward shot and killed Tabor in a barroom in Pocahontas, the particulars of which were published at the time. The Negro defended by Mr. D. M. Cosby, who was appointed by the Court, and the prosecution was assisted by Mr. W. M. Minter. The condemned man heard the sentence with apparent indifference Thomas Moxley, the Negro who struck Mile Rupert, from the effects of which he died, was, on yesterday given five years in the penitentiary. The jury which tried and convicted Woodward, were: Jos. Meek, Chap H. Peery, P. H. Hilt, E. B.Scott, J. A. Neal, Haynes Buchanan, Jas. Ed. Peery, Austin Kinser, M. W. Humphrey, C. Mitchell, W. W. White and J. M. Alley. Friday, March 4, 1904 CONDEMNED MAN Quietly Awaits Doom In Tazewell Jail A News man was allowed to see Henry Woodward, the convicted murderer of Frank Tabor, who is under sentence of death, and now confined in out jail, awaiting the day of execution, April 18th. Woodward is confined in an ordinary cell, with a number of other prisoners, and like them, has the freedom of the corridor inside the large iron cage. There are now nine prisoners-seven colored and two white-confined in the jail. Woodward was perfectly willing to answer questions, but had little or nothing to say on his own accord. He says he was born near New Orleans, Mo., and that his mother is a Cherokee Indian. He came from Tennessee, where his mother now lives, to Pocahontas four or five years ago. When asked if he was married there were visible signs of emotion in his eyes, and his voice trembled, as he said, "Yes, I have a wife and two little children." His wife has been to see him once since his conviction. His mother was thought to be coming to Tazewell, but has decided not to come, it is said, but will furnish money to defray expenses of a petition to Governor Montague for commutation of sentence to life imprisonment, which is now being gotten up by Col. H. C. Alderson. The condemned man seems to realize something of the awfulness of his condition, but like all such, has not given up hopes. When asked about it he replied, with some degree of indifference, that "it would be a good thing if they could get it up, but if I have to go to the gallows I am ready." Asked about his trail, he said, jokingly, that three witnesses had sworn falsely. He is 51 years old, tall, a bright mulatto, and looks as if he might be of Indian origin. Woodward professes to have been converted soon after the trial, at which time he expressed a desire of have prayers with the members of the jury and others and expressed himself as ready to meet his doom. Unless the Governor grants the petition which is now being gotten up. Woodward has only 48 days to live. Friday April 15, 1904 HANGING MAY BE POSTPONED Woodward May Not Be Executed on 22 Inst. (sic) Woodward’s days of earthly existence are slipping rapidly away, and the 22nd of April is alarmingly near for a man whose career must end on that day. There is a shadow of possibility that the execution may not take place on the day fixed. Senator J. N. Harman has voluntarily undertaken to get a stay of execution for Woodward, and petitioned Gov. Montague to grant a respite of sixty days, but the Gov., in a telegram received here on Tuesday, declines to grant the respite, or otherwise interfere. Mr. Harman has appealed to judge of the Court of Appeals , and the matter is now pending. The ground of the respite, as we understand Senator Harman, are based upon a failure in the trial to comply strictly with the law of the new constitution in the selection of jurors. The new law, which was passed only a few days before the trial of Woodward, and consequently not known to the courts and lawyers over the state, provides that jurors shall be drawn from a box containing a list, and not summoned from a list furnished by the judge, as under the old law, and therefore, was claimed, illegally. These facts were briefly and clearly laid before the Governor, and a respite asked in order to allow time for a through examination of the case. Governor Montague wired Senator Harman on Tuesday declining to grant a respite. The judge of the Court of Appeals has been petitioned to grant a supersedeas (sic) in the case, who, it is hoped by Mr. Harman, will reply favorably. It is true, however, that very little hope is entertained that the judge will grant the petition, even if they have time to examine the papers before. It is not entirely impossible, however, that a stay may be granted, and Woodward granted a new hearing. In the meantime the sun is sinking rapidly in west. Friday, April 22, 1904 WILL NOT HANG TO-DAY Woodward Respited until March 6 by Governor Governor Montague, for special reasons, has respited Henry Woodward, who was to have been hanged here to-day (sic) to may 6th-two weeks hence. As stated in out last issue, the Governor refused, on the first application, to interfere, but upon further information granted two week’s respite in order to allow the Judges of the Court of Appeals to pass upon a question of law submitted by Senator Harman, who is interesting himself in Woodwards behalf. The question of the legality of or illegality of Woodward’s trial is now before the Judges of the Court of Appeals in vacation. Should there be a disagreement then as we understand it, the case will be formally heard at the regular tem of the court of June, when the decision of the lower court will be affirmed or a new trial granted the prisoner. It a new trail is refused Woodward will have to be resentenced. Woodward takes the whole matter not at all seriously, but on the other hand seems very indifferent as to the outcome. Friday, April 29, 1904 WOODWARD TO HANG MAY 6TH Judges Find No Error in Trial The last and final effort to get a new trail for Henry Woodward, the Negro condemned to be hung for the murder of Tabor, a white man at Pocahontas last fall, the execution is now a certainty, It will be recalled, that Governor Montague granted a respite of two weeks from last Friday, the day fixed by the Court for the execution, which expires one week from today, and unless there is some unforeseen interference Woodward will be hung next Friday, in the Court House square. During the interval of respite the matter was laid before the Judge of the Court of Appeals, asking for a writ of error. The answer to the appeal was returned confirming the action of the lower court. This ends the proceedings for further delay. The sentence of the court will be carried out next Friday. Friday, May 6, 1904 WOODWARD HANGED HERE TO-DAY Pocahontas Negro Pays Extreme Penalty For Murder Henry Woodward, colored, the murderer of Frank Tabor, who has been under sentence of death here since February term of court, was hanged today. The drop fell at 12:30 o’clock, and life was pronounced extinct in ten minutes. His body was buried on the Poor farm. Woodward slept last night waking at daybreak. Sheriff Harman provided him a sumptuous breakfast, of which he ate heartily. Rev’s Hill and Smith, colored Methodist ministers called to see him about 9 o’clock, and he spoke of the beautiful weather, and expressed himself as feeling splendidly, and absolutely certain of a happy future. The March To The Gallows For an hour before the execution Rev’s Hill and Smith, colored ministers, were with Woodward, and engaged in singing and prayer, the prisoner taking part. At eight minutes to 12 0’clock, the procession began from the jail to the gallows. Erected in the jail yard, only a few feet from the stairway leading down into the ward, preceded by the Sheriff and guards, and followed by physicians, and the colored ministers and a few other witnesses. His step was firm. His face, however, bore marks of a fearful struggle, In the yard he was photographed by Mr. J. E. Warden, He stood quietly and calmly. After entering the jail enclosure he walked firmly up the steps, and out on a small platform, where he made a short speech, saying in part, that he hoped all young men, white and black, would take warning from him, and also make their peace with Jesus, as he had done. He then requested the privilege of praying, and kneeling, prayed at some length. He was taken back into the enclosure, and taking his place firmly on the trap door, took the rope in his hand and kissed it. The black cap was adjusted, and Woodward swung into eternity. His neck was broken and in ten minutes he was dead without a struggle. People from the town and county begin to assemble here at an early hour this morning. The narrow street landing from Main street to the jail was well filled. As the day wore on the crowd increased in number. The 9 o’clock train brought more people than could be accommodated by the public conveyances. There were no women among the sightseers. Everything was quiet and a feeling of suppressed dread and suspense was apparent. The scaffold was well enclosed, having a canvass roof, but the enclosure itself was an object of attraction, the first one most of the crowd had ever seen. The Crime Woodward, who was part Indian and part Negro, came to Pocahontas a year or two ago from Tennessee, being originally from Louisiana. He had the reputation of being a bad man, and had been in a number of scrapes, making several attempts to kill men on different occasions. It is said he carried a gun for sometime to kill his brother, who had given him some little affront. On one occasion he tried to shoot A. J. King, the Supt. Of the Colleries Companuat the tiem. Mr. Frank Tabor was mine Boss for the Colleries Company, and discharged Woodward nearly a year before the tragedy, at which time, it was shown at the trial, Woodward declared he would get even with Tabor. On the 26th day of December 1903, Tabor, with a number of other men, white and black, including Woodward, were in Sam Matz’a barroom, when , as witnesses testified, Woodward shot and killed Tabor without the slightest provocation. His arrest and trial followed. He was defended by D. M. Cosby who was appointed by the Court to do so. The jury was out only a few minutes, and brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree. 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