Governor Commutes Death Sentence of Kohler Holtsclaw, Jan. 1, 1921

Raleigh, Jan. 1—It was understood this afternoon that Governor Bickett, who has given careful consideration to the petitions and letters in behalf of Kohler Holtsclaw, will commute the death sentence of life imprisonment. The announcement was expected to be given out late today. Holtsclaw was convicted at the murder of John W. Gabriel at Terrell more than a year ago. A verdict of murder in the first degree was rendered at the July term of Catawba superior court, but the sentence was held up pending an appeal, which was lost in the supreme court. Petitions and letters in the meantime were forwarded to Governor Bickett and it was assured this afternoon that he would extend clemency. From the front page of The Hickory Daily Record, Saturday evening, Jan. 1, 1921)