Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-07-15
ARREST OF a RAPER.
Luctan weaver. who Outraged Mrs.
Howell Picked Up sunday.
Taken to Strawberry Plains and Iden-
titled by the Victim of His Deed.
VALVES am Examination and Is Com
mEtaea-HeidU Under Guard with
Threats of LynchhDg.


VALVES am Examination and is Conn
mftaea-H ela Under Guard with
Threass of LynchfDg.
About O'Clock Sunday morning,
Tom and Dan Foster, two brothers,
picked up a negro who was travelling
along the railroad track, about three
miles below Knoxville, under suspic-
ion of being the fiend in human
shape who committed the outrage on
the person of Mrs. Howell, wife OF John
Nee. Howell, near Strawberry Plains.
on the 10th of May last, an account of
which we gave. The Foster boys
have been on the lookout for him, as
many others have been, for some time.
When arrested, the negro gave his
name as Williams. He had no pistols
or weapons of any kind on his. person.
He was brought up to Knoxville and
committed to Jail Sunday. While
there he was confronted by several
persons who knew him, one brother
in-law and who readily recognized him
as Lucian Weaver. After this he ac-
knowledged that was his name, but
denied the charge against him, affirm
ing that he could prove where he was
that day.
Yesterday morning the Foster boys,
accompanied by Sam. Allison and Tom
Arnold, started with the prisoner on
horseback, securely handcuffed aud
tied, and took him to Strawberry
Plains. They arrived there about noon
and took the negro at once to the resi-
dence of Mrs. Howell, which is a short
distance from the Plains, where he was
confronted by the injured woman.
She clearly identified him the moment
she flashed her eyes on him aud ex-
claimed:
"HE Is THE GUILTY SCOUNDREL!'
Weaver seemed somewhat affected
at the accusation, still denying his
guilt, and saying she ought not to &C
cuse him Of it. He was brought back
to the Plains. A considerable crowd
was gathered and there were some Sc
cret intimations of mob law, but there
was comparative peace and order.
Esq. w. 81. Vance, Justice of the
Peace for Jefferson county, was sent
for, a warrant was taken out, and trial
set for 4 O'Clock. In the meantime.
the prisoner was kept guarded.
A CHRONICLE representative, TAX
ing the evening train, reached
there just about the time they
were going into the trial. A court was
constituted in the back yard of Milo
M'Bee's store, with Justice Vance pre-
siding, and Arthur Caldwell as officer.
He was specially deputised for the
occasion, no Jefferson county officer
in reach. Col. Jno. M. Meek appeared
as prosecuting attorney, and Mr.. J. w.
Borches, was appointed as counsel for
the prisoner. Weaver claimed that he
was not ready for trial, saying he had
Witnesses to prove that he was in
Knoxville the day of the rape, men
tioning among others, son oil
Sergeant Thomas Ridge, at the
National Cemetery, who knew him.
His counsel announced, however; that
he would waive examination, aud &C.
cordingly a mitimus was prepared
committing him to the Dandridge Jail
By this time the crowd which was
gathered around began to show signs
I>F - xxTnr IN INC
fifty persons, a large proportion OF
boys. It was evident that there was a
disposition among some, at the head
of whom seemed to be the Stipes
boys, brothers of the outraged woman,
aud Cam Gillett, a cOlored man who
worked for Mr.. Howell, to wreak VEN
geance upon the guilty wretch, but no
Outright attempt was made. Col. Meek
after the commitment, made very
sensible speech, counseling the friends
of the outraged family in the name OF
law and order, and in the good name
of the community, not to commit any
rash act, although the provocation was
great, still, he told them, 1t would be
far better to let justice be obtained by
law, which he was sure would be
| done. This seemed to have good
effect, but there were still some de-
monstrations, and some of the crowd
| being in liquor little were somewhat
noisy. Weaver appreciated the situa-
ton and seemed pretty much alarmed,
but was assured by the officers that he
would be protected from mob law.
While there was no one in the assem-
blage who was ready for one
moment TO excuse the brutal
outrage, still, we are glad to say that a
large majority of the citizens there
assembled did not approve of the
lynching of the prisoner, but were foE
letting the law take it's course, which
speaks well for the community.
The officer, Arthur Caldwell, by in
struction, summoned strong guard oil
about a dozen men, and took the pris-
oner in charge, taking him to the va.
cant house of Tom Douglass, where it
was proposed to guard him till morn
ing. Sheriff Webb was sent for, into
whose hands it is proposed to deliver
him this morning.
The impression prevailed among
many that a rush would be made on