Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-03-11
A Woman TyuciIcd.

The Richmond correspondent Of the New
York Herald says ~ am 10 receipt of inlor.
nation which gives the details Of the unprece.
dented horror Of the summary execution Of
woman by lynch law. The atrocious deed was
perpctrated in the estern portion of Rocking
ham county on Wednesday night, and not far
from the scene of the celebrated Lawson uur.
der. It appears that on Tuesday last negro
boy named Jim Arbegast was committed 10 the
jail of Rockingham county upon the charge Of
having burned the barn of Henry E. Sipc on
Thursday, the 18th ult. Blythe destruction G!
tho barn Sipe lost two horses two head Of ca.
tie, thirteen ploWs, several harroWs aud all the
agricultural implements on the farm, together
with all the saddles. harness and all the pro.
duets of grain, hay and other articles. Subse
Quent investigation disclosed the fact that the
ncendiary torch was applied at the inslieaon
and by tho iuducement Of celored woman
named Charlotte Harris. who Is said to haze
had some grudge against the Slpc family.
"a warrant was procured Tor the arrest Of
the woman, aud on Wednesday evening las: \.
Ii. and j. NJ. Talb and John Sipe, who had
gone in pursuit Of Charlotte Harris, arrested
her and returned with her in custody. They
overlook her as she was attempting TO esc2p.
at tho house Of Henry Banks, colored, abou;
two miles east of E.lrlysVie, III Alternate c..
She was at once taken before Magistrates ).
A. Shipp William ID. Maiden and H. Argeu
right, who gave the case preliminary exam
nation, and the evidence being very sIrJut
against the accused, her commitment to all va,
ordered. Over one hnndrrf! persons We're l'rn
sent at the examination, during which the ~
element was Intense. No threats were mai,
nor were there any Indications visible that I'll
wouans HE wcuId shortly pay the terrible
penalty Of her crime.
IA the conclusion Of the examination, ii.
hour being late, the Woman was placed uo!,f
slroug guard, TO keep her sale and secure IL
| til the following morning, when she WAS ~ T.
| taken 10 the county Jail at llarrisonburg I'll.
guard was composed CT Tour persons. The u.
most quiet prevailed untiI about the hour Of |!
p. NJ, when suddenly two men, vino in cole!
were black, made their appearance III front al
the building in which tue prisoner was contin, l.
| They then rushed iuto the house with draws
! ADD cock cd reviewers and demanded tho peac,
able surrender Of the woman. They ln:armr.
| the guard in q determined manner that Il ttcv
gave her into their hands quietly it would l.
we'll for them, bat if not the rcsu; would l..
serious and bad. While this BARLEY was goio : e.,
and before the guard were allowed time TO III. *
any resistance, there was . rush o! armcf uleo
all hIackened, into the bnlIdlng.
After ctlGctng ~ entrances thee SJr.!d ia
womar, Charlotte Harris, anl at once iracstt
her oulsida and up the road toward David e.
morc's. u distanc, o! abor.i four hnntr tired yard,
Here y pecuIlOr sort OF tree. known rs Biav:
Jack, becaus.' OF It's T. ushucss. was beat ADJ 4
rope attached thtre'.o The tree WAS held l.
It's bent position rntil the Other end ot the rors
was fastened ID the uniortunato WON an \ nccA
ln another ~ tact the tree was let 60 and To;
victim Was .crkcd into midair, where In . r."
moments she expired, and the disguised ynch
ers dispersed 1t WAS an awful peuaIyy Tor 'i'a
crime Of which she had been accused, the Tx
6 which has hardly ever been heard 0! N d
civilized com muuitv. The boy Jim Atb1pa,:
~ now 10 q j. il at lIarrisonburs awaiting tns
and the location Of a court pt Justice IN h,5
| case