Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-17
THE HENRY SENSATION.
ABour QUEENsroNES DEATH

ABOCT VbbbN %
Tn, scene Of ,h, AGair-Thc Tes''monf-
au.x,s s.nei Trestmsns--t Edtxnaiien In
the ceussy-sisn shot.
Tcorrespondence the Richmond pispa'on'I
MARTrYsvILLg, VA, July IA, 80.
Leaving Martinsville on horseback,
A brisk ride up the head-waters oil
Smith river, as they gushing down
from the mountain seward, soon brings
one TO the mouth Of the valley OF
Berren's creek. Though struck with
the picturesqueness Of the scenery all
along the course. yet one is nowhere SO
forcibly impressed with the grandeur oil
Gods handiwork as when ushered into
tbis lovely scope Of country. Stand
ing upon its threshold looking west
ward, the pi;ture is complete. On
either side the mountains, looming up
to an immense height, seem to kiss the
sky, their rugged, jagged appearance
varying the monotony Of the scenery
below. The valley will vary from an
hundred and fifty to two hundred yards
in width by two miles long, hemmed in
on every side by mountains, the whole
resembling an amphitheatye. Straight
through the centre of this valley flow
the placid waters of Berren's creek.
In aad around this valley lives the
Stone family. As one stands here
enjoying the beauties Of nature,
now hard it is to realize that
perhaps they have been the scene
Of most horrible crime. Here it was
that Gregory L. Stone, stout, robust
young man, in the capacity Of teacher,
met that innocent girl, Queen johnson.
She was his favorite pupil. He sang Of
love, and she, yielding to its blandish-
ments. confided her all to his keep
ing. Forced to marry her, he began,
it is alleged, a system Of the most
cruel and inhuman treatment, which
terminated only with her death. 1t
is in evidence that she was an
exceedingly weak little creature, and
that in ten days after she became a
mother she was forced to help burn and
dig up plant-bed. When her child
was only two or three weeks old she was
seen wading through snow up to her
knees carrying frewood on her shout
der, while her husband in the mean
time was roasting his shins by glow
ing fire. He planted a big crop and
put her in the field, and compelled her
to DO as much as he did, never per-
hitting her to 60 to the house to nurse
her sick baby except at meals, and it
finally died. 1t is also in evidence
that she, not being able to do
a mans work, he struck her
with his hoe and knocked her
down, from which blow she fingered
between life and death for long time.
These and other cruelties and indigni-
ties that shock the common mind were
perpetrated upon this poor girl until
death came to her relief. In all this
the son is heartily supported, aided,
and abetted by the father. The cir
cumstances attending her immediate
death point strongly to the prisoners.
Not content with their brutal treat
ment while alive, they insulted the
dead by an indecent burial. Daring
the inquest, while these outrages were
being exposed by witnesses, while
even disinterested parties were bowed
with sorrow, these men laughed
and talked immoderately. The good
people Of the community arc very
indignant. Nor does the feeling con-
fine itself to one particular locality.
1t is widespread and general. Lynch
ing is freely talked Of, and it is feared
the Jail will be forced and the prison.
ers killed. DR.. j. K. Anderson will
leave for Richmond to-day with the
contents OF the stomach. No action
will be taken by the Commonwealth
until his return. The prisoners have
been warned by counsel not to talk
with any one. They profess their inno-
ccnce, but have not given any eXplana-
ton Of the matter. Thlrty-fve Wit
nesses, their next-dOor neighbors, have
sworn strongly against them.
John T. Ross shot negro man yes
terday and shattered his right arm
dreadfully. He has skipped the coun-
ty.
The only child Of Mayor II. G. Null
Inns will be buried to-day.
At a Democratic Convention yester-
day delegates were appointed to 60 to
the State Convention to be held at Rich
mond. There was large crowd present,
Notwithstanding the heavy rain, and the
best of feeling prevailed among the
Democrats. CoLFAX.