Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-20
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE VIRGINIA RIOTS.
Continuation of the Investigation. - An
Impartial Hearing.

WASHINGTON, Feb 10.
w. X. Graves (white) a commission mer-
chant OF Danville. an intelligent benevolent
looking gentleman, was the first witness call
ed today in the Danville investigation.
He was armed and fred four shots into the
crowd of crowd of colored people. He fired
because he Twas never yet able to stand and
allow man to shoot him, or ctrike at him.
without retaliation. The colored men were
firing in his direction. The firing for short
time was as hot he ever saw. The witness
denied that he shot Charles Adams. He had
fired four shots but did not know whether he
hit anyone or not. He would not say that he
fred without intending to hit anyone, but he
saw no one fall as the result of his shooting.
He had purchased a revolver because he an
ticipated difficulties with the negroes.
George Adams (colored) described the riot
in the Quaintest of negro dialects. Witness
described the scene which took place last
Wednesday night after he was subpenaed to
come to Washington. He was sleeping in the
depot when Freeman came and the witness
let him ia. Freeman then called in Hatcher,
Barksdale, Lee and others, all of whom were
on their way to Washington. The told him
he had better know but id little about the
riot When he went to Washington Lea did
not speak, but looked as if would jump
through the witness.
Charles Adams, powerfully built colored
man, the man whom Captain Graves denied
shooting, WAS the next witness. He saw Cap
tain Graves with a revolver in his hand, and
said to the captain ''For Gods sakes, don't
shoot me. ri am going to catch my hoses"
Captain Graves said "We'll get out of the
way. Go into the house," Witness turned
to go into the house when Captain Graves
shot him.
The witness rolled up his sleeves and dis
played the would. The witness had heard
Captain Graves testimony. Heard him say
he had saved the witness life on that day,
twice. At the same time | knew he shotme
Senator Lapham-Was there any predeter-
mlnation on the part of tie democrats to break
up the procession if it took placer
Witness-No, sir. | will tell you frankly,
sir. There was no understanding to that
effect, but if it had been attempted, it would
have brought about collision.
In reply to Senator Vance, the witness said
he drew his revolver and fred for self pro-
lection. Bullets were whistling about his
ears, and from their direction they could not
have come white men. He did not, however,
see any pistols in the hands of colored men.
As soon as the firing was over the witness
mounted his horse and went home.
A letter had been intercepted which con-
veyed the information that if fighting took
down town the women and children in the
borders of the towns were to be murdered in
their houses.
X. J. Adams, we'll dressed intelligent
looking colored man, brother of the proceed
ing witness. was called. At the time of the
riot he was policeman. Two months before
the riot the grand jury indicted the whole
police force and some others. white and col
ored. for carrying concealed weapons. The
colored people were poor and could not afford
to pay fines; the white people were better
able TO pay. The outcome was that the
colored people ceased carrying arms and the
whites continued The witness saw Capt.
Graves shoot his brother.