The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-18
Trial OF tho Negro Conspirntors at
I.ynchkurg-Th Rurcau Demands
tnc Release OF Jones.

rria, Of tho Negro Conspirntors at
the Release Of 5oncs.
From the Republican.
The negroes, Jacob Jones and Jacob
Johnson, who were apprchcndcd last Satur-
6sv on the charge of making threats and
conSpiring with others to murder the family
orDr. McAllstcr and others, near McAllis-
Ter, shop, in this county, were examined
Yesterday. While in Jail they gave the
names Of a large number of negroes who
were present NJ the same meeting. and
some twenty Of these were arrested yes.
tcrday. Mrs. Margaret McAllistcr testi-
fed as follows:
cavcsdroppcd the cabin in which the
meeting was held on Wednesday night a
week ago. knew the voices of Jacob
Jones and Johnson. There were a great
many others in the house, whose voices !
roa!a not distinguish. They threatened to
XII, my husband, myself, and sister, and to
swing to limb Mr.. Bernard C. Brooks,
Walker Reynolds, and Christopher Rev
ra.&S: they also said they would hang
Charles Wheaton, q negro, with a crane
vine. as he was no better than a white
nan.
Witness had been suSpecting that the
negroes were engaged in some plot ever
>acc last JUly. On the l4th of July Jones
stopped st her house and had talk with
lrr. He had just registered. He asked
her wha; the white people would do after
their lands were divided. Witness replied
that she did not know they were to be di-
y..ed, when Jones said they would be,
Is hey had been bought by the labor Of
.ae blacks, who had a right to them.
Ilc meetings had commenced about
the Isl OF July. There were crowds OF
negroes in JoncS'S house nearly every
n..bt. On Tuesday week (the 5th in
s,aut} 4 negro had died in J0ncs's house,
and they Kept his body out for two DAYS
and -, up over it. On the second night
"wednesday it was very dark, and She
thought she could eavesdrop them without
danger. The cabin was about two hun
Dire: Yards from her residence. She met
three dogs, which she pacificd with bread
and they did not disturb her. She came
close L. the cabin, and remained there per
laps an hour, and could overhear what
vas passing. Her husband was not at
10wc-only her sister--about fifteen years
Old, and her mOthcr-in-law, an old lady.
10 was about 10 o'clock, she thinks, when
sic went back to her house. Did not
LINK Of the danger until it was past.
Jones here asked witness was she sure
sac heard his voice.
Witness was sure that it was his voice.
The prisoner said he was in bed and
asleep at the time, and did not get up
until after midnight.
Johnson asked the same question.
Witness" Yes; you we're the man
who was going to hang Wheaton with q
ggapcyine.'
Justice Bruce" Why did they want
TO hang Wheaton 2"
Witness" Because they said he would
~. vote the Radical ticket, and that he
carried tales to the white people, and ocas
uo better than q or',ite man"
Daring the examination Of Mrs. Meal
lister the negroes gave expression to fire.
g0cut eXclanativuS OF incredulity and
surprise
Bernard Brooks, Christopher Reynolds,
aud Walker Reynolds (whiteS) were eX-
ahmed, but knew nothing OF the con-
sgiIacy except what they had heard
through Mrs. McAllistcr.
Mrs. McAl!jSter Uccailcd) She did not
tell her husband about the conspiracy when
lie came home ; was afraid lie would do
somethjng rash. She first sent word for
Ar. Taylor, am! told him about it, so that
lie people might know their danger.
Charles Wheaton (colorcd) Didn't
vote on election day; Jacob Jones came
5y lis shop that night. and asked him why
be hadn't done 50. Witness said he didn't
know enough about it, and didn't want to
ytc Jacob didn't seem mad at all, aud
gseI no threats. Witness had been to
,evrral meetings where there was worship
Fl he african lcay. Had never heard any
violent language. Had never lad any
difficulty with any Of the prisoners. His
first information about this business was
when he was summoned to attend the OK
amuation-only he had heard achiSper Of
what Mrs. McAllistcr had overheard.
Four negroes were here introduced,
who SwUre they were at the wake, but
;.at no threatening language was used,
a.a that the names OF DR.. McA!listcr,
Brooks, Reynolds, and Wheaton were not
mentioned at all They also swore that
Jones aud Johnson were in bed and asleep
.uring the most Of the night. One Of them
sdi there was no conversation except
singing, and another that he hadn't heard q
lr.f about hanging anybody. Their evil
Grucc was very much confused and in
con>Stent.
Messrs. James Cough, Glover Cough,
olmeS w. Pettgrew, and John McAlliSter
We're introduced, who gave the prisoners
an excellent character. Mr.. McAliSter
said that Jones had once belonged to his
.ainer, and was most correct and worthy
servant. He had also employed Jones's
@ry5ccs for one year after the surrender,
and never saw anything amiss in his do
1.eIapr.
Hare he testimony closed, and the
magistrates decided, after conference, to
-ul Tie accused on for indictment, and
mean while TO commit; them to Jail. Mr.. Nc
Alister eudcaYored TO induce the magis-
ua,es to release Jacob Jones on bail, and
referred TO the Code Of Virginia to show
taa, he was entitled to it. Failing in this,
Nr. McA!liSter went after Lieutenant
Stevenson, OF the Frccdmen's Bureau, and
Prevailed upon hun to come to the Negroes
tcscuc Stevenson came into court and
demanded the release OF the accused on
tail. Twas finally determined to commit
them, and leave the case open for further
investigation this morning.