Richmond Times-Dispatch from Richmond, Virginia • Page 1

RANGE OP XUISRMOMETER. ivas tho renge ot the "Uier aiometor at The "Times offlce yestcr.3ay: A. 60; 12 67: 3 6 P. Iff-. P.

CS; 12 averagre temperature, Ci.5. VOL. 15. 40. VKAflBII VOftCCASrC.

Fo recast for Bandar and day with rain ia afternoon oc night, Monday; Sunday In fresh easterly Xorth -in eastern portion; tata, tth creasing. 22 PAGES. RICHMOND. VA. MARCH 25, 1900.

PBICE THREE CENTS. A RIOTOUS MOB LYNCHED TWO PRISONERS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AT EMPORIA BENEATH THE VERY SHADOW OF THE COURTHOUSE, Military Had Scarcely Left the Town When the Murderers Pre? pared to Commit Their Great Crime. EX-JUDGE OF THE COUNTY TOOK PART IN THE LYNCHING Plot Between Bloodthirsty Citizens and the Authorities to Have the Troops Withdrawn and Then Go Ahead With the Hanging, IS BELIEVED ONE OF THE VICTIMS IS INNOCENT OF THE CRIME CHARGED Walter Cotton, the Negro Murderer, and a White Man, Thought to he Named O'Grady, Swung Up loa Limh Despite the Protests of Law Citizens, While the Sheriff, Who Was "Under the Made Himself Hundreds of People, Including Some Ladies, Witnessed the Lynch? ing, Which Was Participated in hy a Large Numher of Countrymen from all Parts of Greenville County. (From a Staff Correspondent EMPORIA. Cot-ton.

the negro muredcr, and Jirandl O'Grady, the man who is supposed to have had part in the killing of Ofiiccn; Saunders and "Weiton. were lynched in the jail yard here to-day. After the whites had taken the life of tht negro, the blacks, led by several men the other race, executed the alleged Irishman. A crowd of large proportions for a town of the size of this one, cheered as the two men strung to the limb of an ancient wild cherry tree. Ttvo shots were "ircd into Hie of tl.e negro a relative of Mr.

Vfc.taa. The unlawful of men was made possible by an cider for semoval of Blues. These soldiers had not reached Richmond on their return before the infuriated mob broke- into ihe jail and brought the negro out. O'Grady was lynched thereafter. A "DAT.

This day has been one the people fit and adjoining counties never fogct. The soldiers were on guard duty all night. They moved er their beats in the chill night air, lounge! about a big leg fire or slept for briet periods their It was a ldamp, dismal morning, weather JUDGE W. SAMUEL GOODWYN. (From a photograph taken some ti me ago.

He now wears no beard.) was anything but such as to make guara duty pleasant. not a soldier com? plained. Ruch one faithfully the duty assigned him. Major Cutehlrs and the other officers stayed up all night Many of the men who had to lynch Cotton went home af.er Mr. S.

V. Southall. and others lud them that Cotton would not be taken away. Some were not satlslie.i and came ba-ik and remained In the neighborhood of tho court-house. REMOVE THK MILITIA.

About seven o'clock somt cf the offi? cials got together and derided tint it would bo well to remove the mil Sheriff Loc. who was not in the of condition th? night before, showed til and relieved Acting Sheriff Robcnnnn. was still a little the wear." but resumed his duties. "By seven o'clock Cutchins rccvivod informa? tion that an order for the of th? military would likely be Issued. Jt was then that he wired the Governor to hold Company of the Blues, asking if he should obey orders, and informing that Cotton would be lynched if the troops should bt removed.

It was sometime before the reply tho Governor was received. In the meant a conference of official? and prominent t-Jtixens was to take pla-ic In Judge Goodwyn's office. "People were by thi? time flocking Into the town. They came from all parts of from Sussex and other adjoining counties. Nearly every man was armed.

TO LEAVE. The conference at Judge Goodwyn's offles took pinci soon after o'clock. There -wer? about a score rersons j.n_*nt. The Judge presided, and sUtsd that tt? Governor had wired Jir CaMMu to orders If fa? tbe i SlTeriff should order tiie troops withdrawn. He asked those assembled what they thought should be done.

Various views were expressed, but all were practcilly agreed that Cotton should not under any circumstances, taken to Portsmouth. Inasmuch lawyers had advisea that tho negro having escaped from Pqrts? while under centenos of death, ho would not be legally tried and con in Greensville, but would have to be carried to Portsmouth and to death. The Greensville people wer? frank to say lhat the man should b3 ex? ecuted In their county. MORE TROOPS NEEDED. Major Cutchins told the gentleman that ii the military were going to remain he would call for additional troops.

"I can hold that jail -with the men I have got against all Grenesville," said Uie Major, "but I do not want to shoot down your people. Many will think they can take on against one company. They, therefore, may make an attack, and then there will be bloodshed. A larger force will have the moral effect of preventing an attack, and will prevent the loss of When the Major had concluded his re? marks a gentleman said: that all who favor discharging the soldiers and placing a citizens guard about the jail hold up their SOLDIERS DISCHAKGED. Major Cutchins at Oneo Leaves AVitii His Soldiers.

The vote was unanimous. Sverlff Lee and Judge Goodwyn at Once signed tha order of discharge und Major Cutchins pocketed the and went over into the court' yard. noUiictl Captain Dauglnry to prepare to le-avc for Rich? mond with his fnen. The soldiers were taken eff guard duty and the crowd of whites and blacks pressed into the Sheriff Le-5 charge the jail. J.

asked him as he was leaving the court yard how many deputies he had sworn In. "We, need practically none during the I he said, "but will at the jail i did see the sheriff during the day. The soldiers soon departed and march? ed down the dutsy road and across Ale River to the station, half a mile cway. T-icro were a number of people present to see them off. Tho boy? were given a farewell chc-er.

JUDGE WARNED TO STAY The clouds that had hovered over the towii during the early part of-'the morn? ing had all at 11 o'clock, and the sun thonc warm and bright, lt was an Ideal spring day. u.nd tne court-houso. green was a very comfortable lounging'.) place. The crowd of visitors' was constantly increasing. They came in all ve-tictes and "on They were th? farmers of tihe surrounding county, who beul known and loved tie.two mur? dered m-n.

There was no longer any low? tallcln? or denunciation of offlcjee. The men got down to the business which brought them to town. They gathered in little groups and discussed the situation, it was quite apparent that something unusu.il was going to happen very soon. Judge Goodwyn had been warned to keep out of the court-house yard. Ho was in? formed that if he attempted to Interfere with anything that might go on his own life would be in danger.

He watched the movements of men from his yard, about fifty yards away. Sheriff had been told also that he had better not stay about the jail. TO LYNCH TWO. It seems that It was at first proposed to lynch the negro to-night, but the way being clear and many persons having come from a distance, the leaders could see no reason for postponing the work. Besides, some reasoned that would have the desired effect upon evil-disposed per? sons to have the execution- take place be? fore th? large crowd assembled.

There were at this time probably one thousand whites and the former being slightly In the majority, in the square. A few nogro women were on the out? skirts of the crowd. A number of white ladles could see what was transpiring from their porches across the main street of the town. About half oast twelve o'clock tho smaller groups of mon to join tho central one. It was not lone: before there was a movement toward the jail.

Then everybody realized- that the lynching of Cotton was about to place. A shout was sent up by a few. EX-JUDGE THE LEADER. Former Occupant of the Conn I Bench Helped to.Lync!- Xci-sro. Former County Judge G.

P. Barbara was the recognized leader of the party. He and a few others had no trouble in entering the jail. The man who had the keys made a formal protest. There was considerable delay In getting- tlie pris? oner out.

He was shackled and chained ihe -floor, lt required about ten get these things unfastened. Outside considerably subdued ex? citement, but no disorder. The average whi to man a very determined look. They seemed to think the lynch? ing of the negro was a very solemn duty. The negroes were Some openly said they thought this murderer ought to die by the method decided upon.

NO PLEA FOR MEROY. Cotton made no protest. He did not beg for. mercy. He old not yell, ln fact, he knew the cure was at hand, and sullenly did as he told to do.

The shackles removed, the rope was adjusted about Cotton's neck, but the handcuffs wero not removed. As he was led out there was fear that an attemipt would be made- to shoot him, as several per? sons appealed to the crowd" not to shoot. No one drew a revolver. The man walked steadily. The rope choked him as he was being dragged' to a tree about' thirty yards distant.

A young man climbed up to the first limb and the end -of the rope was thivTivn to him. He placed' it over the branch. A dozen got hold of the ropa, ar.d the negro was jeo-ked up. Then two pistol balls were fired Into his body. Death was almost instantaneous.

The body was not cut down at once, but was left hanging there. By this time the crowd had doubled. The most exciting incident of the day yet to come. The negroes, looking upon the form of one of their race dang? ling in their sight, began to demand the life of the white man. O'Grady.

"You have negro, now lets hang the white man," they said in a chorus. "We will help you," responded a num? ber of whites. O'GRADY HANGED TOO. Appeals Were "Made in Vain for tii. Man's Life.

-The crowd rushed back to the jail. Hal. a dozen men went In to O'Grady. Judge Barham. addressed the mob.

tori, was a confessed murderer," he said; -but who knows that tho white man is guilty?" v. "We do," responded several voices. "No, you don't," answered the Judge. man may be innocent, let's give him a chance to prove. If guilty, I will go as far as any one of you.

in punishing him." "Bring him out," shouted a chorus of voices. Then several of the mob broke by Judge Barham ana entered the jail. There was some trouble In getting Into the cell. The Jynchers were forced but. But they wen determined to make another effort.

Mr. C. T. Boykin, of Richmond, appealed to (Continued on Twelfth Page.) Statement of Golden on the Witness Stand Yesterday. HOCKER SMITH AND DICK COMBS WERE THE MEN Several Prominent Men Involved in the Murder.

TAYLOR IS IMPLICATED THOUGH NOT DIRECTLY His Name Will Not be Prominent the Prosecution. PLAN WAS ON FOOT TO THIN. OUT DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS Feudists Were to Kill Enough to Give Repub? licans a Majority. THE WITNESS WAS QUITE WEAK He Was Not Subjected to Ex? amination on "yesterday and Ad? journment Was Taken at an Early Hour in tho Afternoon on Ac? count of His "Physical Condition. Enough Evidence Has Been Adduced ito Hold Defend? ants on.

the Charges in tho Opinion of Prosecution. PRANICPORT, KY-, teatch told me they had two niggers here to kill Goebel. They were Hocker Smith and Dick Combs." This statement was made to-day by F. Wharton Golden, a frail, consumptive looking Kentucky mountaineer, while on the witness stand In the preliminary ex? amination of Secretary of State Caleb 1'owers, charged with conspiracy to kill Goebel. Golden told a story of the events lead? ing up- to the murder that, if substan? tiated, will, In the minds of those con? nected with the prosecution, at least go far to prove the contentions of the Commonwealth that the murder was the result of a plan in which promi? nent men were involved.

AY'hether the de? fence will seek to Impeach Colden's testi? mony in this preliminary-examination is not known, as the attorneys for the de? fence will not talk on the subject, but unless such attempt is made the Com? monwealth will rest its case, both Attorney Polsgrove and Attorney Camp? bell being satisfied that enough evidence has been presented to hold the defendant on the charges. TO JOHN POWERS. Golden, who claims to have been a friend to Secretary Powers and his bro? ther, John Towers, for years, gave testi? mony that was particularly damaging to John Powers, but he also brought in the names of many others, including Charles Finley, AV. H. Culton, and Governor Taylor in his story of the bringing of the mountaineers to Frankfort previous to the assassination.

Governor Taylor, how? ever, was not directly Implicated, and the attorneys for the Commonwealth in? timated to-day that they do not expect to have his name brought forth pronriinently in the story of the alleged conspiracy. Golden was not cross-examined to-day, and adjournment was taken at an carly hour, this afternoon on account of his physical -condition, the witness having slight hemorrhage during the morn? ing, and during tho examination in the afternoon he begged to be allowed a respile. He was quite nervous at times, tlolden's testimony tended to show that a plan was made to bring several hun? dred regular "mountain feudists" to Frankfort, who 'would. If necessary, as Golden expressed It, "go-Into the Legis? lativo Ha'l arvd kill enough Democrats to make it our way." The testimony did nof show that the alleged plot to kill Goebel was part of the original plan, nor did it -connect the names of those who conceived' that idea, the Commonwealth sought to show conversations various that not only John and Caleb "Owers, but others as well, had full cnowledge'of the alleged plan of assassi? nation. TO BLOW UP ARSENAL.

Democrats Excited Over Alleged Guy Fawkes Plot. March was much excitement in Democratic quarters over a report that the guards in charge of State Arsenal had laid a mine in front of the Stato. connected with: th? inside by a wire, so that It could be touched off in case of an attack. The excitement was Increas? ed when. another report was circulated' that ono of the officers had! purchased 100 feet of fus? from a local hardware merchant, and it was rer-crted that this fuse was to be.

attached to'-. the mine al le2ed to be at the arsenal. THE GOVERNOR, IN AN THERE ill WAY TO CONDONE THE LYNCHING OF COTTON AND O'GRADY BY EMPORIA HOB, Cites Mitigating Circumstances, But Maintains That the Law Should Have Taken Its Course. THE FAULT LIES NOT IN THE LAW, BUT WITH THE PEOPLE The Remedy is to be Found in the Greater Cultivation of Respect for the Constitution in the Minds and Hearts of the Masses. MAJOR SOL.

CUTCHINS HOLDS THAT HIS FORCE WAS SUFFICIENT Lives of the Two Men Who Were Accused of ihe Heinous Crimes Would Have Been Safe in ihe Hands of the Military Had ihe Troops Remained in Control of ihe Angry Crowd Was Held at Bay and so Long the Culprits Safety from Violence at the Hands of ihe Murdered Men's Avengers Was a Witnesses Regard It and the Feeling in this City is Somewhat Divided. Governor J. Hoge Tyler received the following telegram from a New Y'ork paper last night saying: "Will appre? ciate expression of opinion on occur? rences to-day, and what remedies you think best." Governor Tyler wired the following reply: action of the mob of Greensvllle county In lynching Cotton and O'Grady cannot be condoned. There are some in? stigating circumstances. The -of the county were very much excited and incensed on account of several crimes that had been committed In their neigh? borhood, finally culminating In the mur? der of two prominent citizens, who were' endeavoring to apprehend these two men, who were suspected of committed these offences.

It that it was by and under the leadership ot Cotton, an escaped convict, who had broken jail the night before he was to have been executed, and was boasting, after cap? ture, the twenty-five fiendish mur? ders he had committed; "The result demonstrates that the defect is not In the law; but In the failure of Its enforcement. The troops had the sit? uation well ln hand, and all trouble would have been averted. "The sheriff, who, -under our statutes, has entire the such situations, ordered the soldiers home, and refused'to let them remove the-prisoners to a place of safety. Within a short timo after the troops had left, the mob re? assembled and lynched the prisoners. "The remedy for such occurrences may "be found in a greater cultivation In the minds and hearts of the people of a deeper respect and devotion, for our Con stltution and laws, thereby causing tht-m to select.as their officers -men who wil' I fearlessly -maintain the majesty of thr I law.

"Xo people can afford to have their laws defied, however great the tion." Shortly after he had been advised of the lyndhing of Cotton and O'Grady, Governor Tyler said: "I feel that I did all I could In the mat? ter," said Governor Tyler yesterday after? noon. "The civil Authorities stated that they could handle the mob without mill-' tary assistance and when the sheriff or? dered Major Cutchins to depart, there was nothing left for. him to do but go. "I am greatly distressed at the result, i but I could not keep the soldiers there, without declaring martial law, and I did not feel that the prevailing conditions warranted It. "The soldiers behaved nobly, am told by Major Cutchins.

and I know my own knowledge, that they lest no un? necessary time in getting together on the call to arms. "Tlie law In reference to such matters will, I presume, be carried out. The men who took part ih the lynching will, or should be, arrested, and dealt with accordingly. "As Governor and as a citizen, I deep? ly deplore this flagrant outrage upon law and order. Nothing was left for me to do but what was done.

I exercised my prerogative to Its fullest extent. "The trouble seems to have been with I 'the authorities at Emporia. We were giv? en to. understand that protection would be given the prisoners. The result shows that this confidence was abused.

"A meeting was held by the Judge, the Sheriff and a number of the leading citi? zens in the Judge's office, and pledges were then made to uphold the law. The Sheriff was led to believe that the prison? ers would be protected, and in accordance with that belief, he withdrew his re? quest for military protection. The Sher iff is supreme ln such Instances, except, as I have said, where martial law Is de? clared." '-'There is nothing left that I can see for me to do In my official capacity, but I trust the law will take its proper courte in dealing with those who so boldly trod upon it." LAW IN THE CASE. Says the Governor Shall See That the -jaav bo lilxecuted. Considerable comment has arisen here as to the law la the cape of an "Executive officer ordering the militia to or from a place'for the suppression of riots or other unlawful disturbances.

The law," taken from the, Code of is herewith appended: Article section Constitution-of Virginia, says: -'The Governor shall take care that the laws be faithfully. exe? Hs shall be commander ln-chlef of th? land and naval forces of the -State, have power to embody the militia to repel invasion, suppress insur? enforce ot the section Code of Vir? ginia, says: "If any combination shall become so powerful obstruct any part of this state the due execu tion of the laws thereof, in the ordinary course of proceeding, the Governor may call forth the militia, or any part thereof, to suppress such combination." 212. Governor give orders to officers and appoint or? ders shall be sent to such officers and in such manner as the Governor may expedient, with a notlflcatlon of the place of rendezvous, and the officers to whom the orders are sent shall proceed. Imme? diately to execute the same." MAJOR CUTCHINS TALKS Says That Judge and Sheriff Feared Lives In Dan-jer. Major Cutchins said that he did all he could In the matter.

He under order from the Sheriff, and when that official requested 'him -to return with his men to Richmond, without imperative orders from the Governcr, who l3 conimander in-chief of the State militia, all he could do was to return. "The Judge end tho Sheriff wero two frightened -men," said Major Cutchins. I GOVERNOR J. HOGE TYLER. is being severely criticised fo his action In wlthdrawlng'the troops.) "They 'believed their lives were in dan? ger? and, under the brought to they were forced to act as they did.

-We could have taken th? prisoner from jail. yesterday brought him to Richmond with little trouble. But there would, have been trouble, and probably-a great amount of blood shed had we attempted to bring him awaj this with one company." "I am ln no position to said Major Cutchins. "My telegrams to the' Governor fully explained'the condition ot affairs. Under other orders than those we had we could have and would have acted "differently.

I have made my report to the.Gover nor, and he has complimented my men and myself upon our condurt. "A was held this morning, i in the Judge's-office-, with the Judge the and a number of prominent citi? zens present. took a vote on tha question as to whether we should rst-trix to Richmond or remain, arid It was de? cided that we return home. The. SherltT then gave us formal notice, countersigned by the Judge.

"The people there treated us with re? spect, but they were hitter against Judge and Sheriff Lea was openly stated that the ma? be and when we cium we understood that st-ch would the case. The'lynching would have taken plac? the night before had we- not i-afe' been present, and I atpf confident could have prevented mob i violence wo remained there and received the re inforcements" the Governor intended tis to have." "The Major complimented his men npoa their soldierly bearing. C-iPTAlK VI-OTT. Captain view to that of Major Cotchias. for sbc hours last night on a he saWf, "ami several times tt looked like an outbreak.

But we down. were about mem around; us and in. tho vicinity, armed to the? teeth with pistols, rifler, shot-guns, carbines, and. all conceivable weapons. Our men acted like veterans, and were determined ta uphold the law at all hazards.

"The Judge and the Sheriff were intimi? dated. They were frightened? almost out of their wits, and didn't know their minds five minutes at a time. 'Tha peooje of Emporta were not dis? courteous to us. but there was determina? tion on their faces, and If we had come together violently some blood would ha.v_ been spilled. "Wo went there to uphold the law and honor, and wei would have don? It." COMPANY RETURNS Richmond Troops Ordered Back bj Sheriff Company of the (Blues, which had been stationed at Emporia at th? request of Sheriff "Lee.

left that place at o'clock yesterday morning and reached. Richmond at 12:35 o'clock. They- reported that everything was quiet at that place when they left, bat before the company reached this "city news came that Cotton had been lynched. This news wa3 no surprise to the sol? diers, for they were Impressed with th? idea that, a lynching would take place after they had departed. The whole mat? ter, they said, seemed to have been, pre? arranged, and the Judge and? the Sheriff appeared to have completely collapsed, so.far as their nerve was concerned.

"The guard of clvlllons," said one of the soldiers, "were no assistance to us at all. simply refused to do vice with us, anil, in my opinion, had clash come they would have sided against us. They, were mixed up with the mob, and Ro one could have distinguished from the'other." of the soldiers said that they could have held the jail against any crowd that could have collected, but the. mob increased In numbers there would have been much trouble in getting prisoners from the jail to the train with? out reinforcements. HOW REGARDED HERE "Division of Sentiment aa to Go-erino? The lynching; two at Em? yesterday the topic of con, versatlon in this city yesterday after? noon and last night, and criticisms ta all Its; phrases 'Many citizens dls-approved in language the action of Genauer tai allowing tha troop? to (Continued on VWM..