Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31
THE cuLpEpER TRAGEDY.

LAST week we published paragraph from the Piedmont
Wbo briefly stating the fact that shocking outrage had
been perpe,rated in Cupeper county Since then the de-
tails of the affair have been received from several sources
aud they deveope case of brutal murder and
disregard for the law which is without parallel in the his
tory of Virginia We unite with others in calling upon
the executive TO use the power of the State II necessary to
yndicate the supremacy of the law and bring every pac
ipator in the outrage 10 condign punishment.
The facts of the case given in letter to the Alexan
dria Gazette, dated "Cupepper Courthouse July 18th,
1850" are as follows:
free negro by the name of William Grayson was tiled
q, The une Term. IS49 of Cupeper Superior Court fol the
murder of David W. Miller, a merchant. The jury found
him guilty and Judge Field, refused to grant him hew
trial The case was carried up on bill OF exceptions
and new trial granted by the General Court at its DE.
cember Term. Grayson was tried again at the June Term,
1850, by jury from The adjoining County Of Madison who
found him guilty also Judge Field refused again grant
new trial the case was taken the General Court
ond time. which again granted new trial.
On Yesterday (7th) morning about o'clock the pepu-
y Sheriff arrived the Court House, and informed the
citizens that he had received reabsnformaton that an
armed body of one or hundred men their way
to break open the JAIL for the purpose of hanging Gnyson
By - o'clock upwards of one hundred men from Rap
pahannock and some thirty forty from the upper part Of
Cupeper. had assembled at Church, about three miles
from the Court House, where they were met BY deega;
ton of citizens who demonstrated with them, and begged
them to desist from their purposes but without effect They
proceeded to the court house, and met at the jail door
by the High Sheriff. his deputies, several magistrates and
other officers The party defending the Jail were without
arms Many of the assailng parry were armed WIN pis-
tolls dirks and bowie knives. The asSaans with 'orcc
removed the officers and ehzensbroke open The Jail with
sIedoe hamnars and bars of rontook Grayson out-as
tened rope around his neck led him about half nile
from the village and hung him He protested to the last
that he was entirely innocent, and displayed great ioT
ude."
The Richmond Times, says:
We have received some oral accounts Of this depora6e
proceeding but cannot tell how far they reliable. We
hear that Mr. Wm Green, Of the most prominent cit
liens of Cupeper appeared before the mob and used every
effort and persuasion TO induce them to desls
from their illegal purpose. They thanked him for his adj
vice. but declared that they would have the life OF the
gro Another gentleman is said TO have displayed the mos
remarkable bravery in endeavouring to save the negro al
the jail Taking his position at the door, he is represented
to have invited any nine in the crowd to come forward
and make with him band Of en to resist with their lives
the assault upon the JAIL The proposition not being res
ponded TO- he deliberately took paper and before the faces
ofhe mob wrote down the of all the persons he re-
cognsed avowng his purpose to report them 10 the ega
authorities Such conduct deserves the unmeasuTeo ap-
plause and support of the community