Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-19
@S1! 5''sE
THE, DANVILLE RIOT.


Privileges and Elections.
GIr. w. P. Graves, white, commission
merchant ofDanville, an intelligent, benevo-
lent looking gentleman 63 years of age, was
the first witness called in the Danyille in
yestigatiou to-day. He said he took little
terest in politics except to vote. he dld,
however, attend the opera house meeting OF
November sd, and he had signed the Dam
vile circular and approved It's contents J
SAW no women or children, only men IN the
crowd Of negroes during the riot lie was
not at the scene Of the riot when the hrlng
began, but was going toward his place oil
business which was in that direction. lie
was armed and fired four shots into the
crowd of colored people. He fired because
he was never yet able 10 stand and allow q
man to shoot at him. or strike at him.
Without retaliation He described each OF
his shots in detail The colored men were
firing in his direction. The firing for a
short time was as hot as be ever saw.
Witness was soldier during the Mexican
war and Confederate officer during the
late war lie bought his revolver month
before the riot. Witness did not know OF
any secret political organization III Danvllle,
except the democratic club. Witness de-
MED that he shot Charles Adams. Descrb'
ing the scene he arose and said that he
saw Charles Adams approaching him try
iEg to escape from the crowd. Adams threw
up his arms and asked witness not to fire.
Witness told Adams to 20 into store.
Shortly afterwards Adams came out OF the
store and ran away. Witness "hollered'
at him, telling him to 60 back into the store
Adams turned and threw up his arms, beg
ging witness and others not to shoot. AT
| ~. "a hot in bn 4 4.
ness didn't fire the shot. He had tired four
shots before that. Witness did not know
whether be hit any one. He would
not say that he fired without in
tending TO hit any one, but he saw no one
fall as a result of his shooting. He had pur-
chased his revolver because he anticipated
difficulty with the negroes. Witness de:
scribed several personal difficulties he had
had with negroes. On one occasion, few
weeks before the riot he had been iDsulted
and threatened by negro and replied only
by striking him with his cane. Witness
was arrested and fined for this otense. The
Justice had asked if witness was in bodily
fear and witness replied in the negative
Hence the fine. Witness said rumor had
become current the day before the election
that the negroes were TO have torch light
procession before daylight on election day
and were to march in three columns to the
polls next day aud take possession of them.
Senator Lapham-Was there any prede-
termination on the part OF the democrats to
break up the procession, if it did take place?
Wtness-No Sir. will tell you frankly,
sir, there was no understanding to that eff
feet, but if it had been attempted it would
have brought about a collision
In reply 10 Senator Vance, witness said
| l. nd for coll.
lection. The bullets were whstling about
bis ears, and from their direction they could
not have come from the white men. He did
not, however, see any pistols in the hands of
colored men. Witness said that social and
other influences had combined for years to
prevent the negroes from voting the demo-
cratic ticket. There was no conspiracy
among the whites to bring on the riot, but
on the Contrary the influence of the whites
was exerted to the utmost to prevent col
lision. AS soon as the firing was over, wit
ness mounted horse, and went home. A
letter had been intercepted conveying the
information that if fighting took place down
town the women aud children on the borders
of the town were to be murdered in their
houses 10 reply to Senator Lapham wit
ness said he went with others from Dan
Vile to New Design went there to see how
the election was going. Witness was armed
with pistol. His weapon was concealed
George Adams, colored, was called. He
described the riot in the quaintest of negro
dialects, arising to his feet and swinging his
arms and body in illustrating the move
ments Of different individuals and Of the
| crowds Witness was the man who at
| Noel's companion, at the preliminary riot.
While scutiing with Lea the latter fell and
witness fell on top. Taylor, one of the pre-
liminary white rioters seized witness by the
heels and sort turned him q somerset
like" illustrating by diving motion of the
body, his hands over his head.) AS witness
was engaged in his involuntary gymnastics
Lea fired twice, the bullets passing under
witness body. NO, sab, de pistol did not
fire hissef." The witness manner was pro.
ductive of some suppressed merriment
among his auditors, but he was himself in
tensely in earnest. There was scared
look in his eyes as he glanced from one
questioner to another-and his voice took a
plaintive infection as he described the shoot
ing at himself, as he ran, and told of the dead
men he had seen on the street.
In reply to Senator Sherman, witness de-
scribed scene which took place last We'd
nesday night after he was subpenaed to
Washington. He was sleeping in the de
pot with an old man, and Mr.. Freeman
came and shook the door. Witness let him
in after some delay. Freeman asked what
he knew about the riot Witness said he
saw it all. Freeman asked if he had any
whiskey aid came up and felt of his pocE
cts illustrating by sIapping coat and trow
sers' pockets Freeman then called in
Hatcher, Barksdale, Lee and Others, all of
whom were Oil their way to Washington.
They told him he had "better know but
ID little about the riot when he went to
Washington. Lea did not speak, Blu. look.
ed as if he would jump through" witness
Mr. Barksdale came into the room and
witness described the affair to him. Mr.
Rarksdale said, well, Goge, if vouse anv.
ways jubus, ! Wouldn't advise you to ven
ture." Witness did not venture. but ra.
manned in Danville until last night. when
ne came on with crowd of coored com.
panons
Charles Adams a powerfuI1v bu;lt oo1oo,