Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-12
AccowAoK AROUSED
nv the Criminal Conduct OF n Negro
Towards Lady.
rspocial telegram % the Dlspstch.l

especial telegram 20 the Dispstch.1
OEsNCOCH, VA, March ii.-Lste last night
Magfudei Fletcher. powerful Young negro,
broke into he house Of Mrs. ObedIah Nc.
Cready. in Messongo Neck, In the northern
part % AccOmack county. aud crimlnslly
assaulted her.
Mrs. McCresdy's husband was absent from
home ct The time. being engaged in catching
oysters acrOss the Chesapeake bsv, and the
only persons In the house besides Mrs. 30.
Cready were her two young children, gged
Eve and three years respectively. The negro,
who had been employed by Captain Mc-
Cresdy 10 cut wood 'of hts wife during his
absence scross The hay, Effected IN entrance
through qn upstairs window
When Mrs. McCready first became aware
OF the negTo's presence in The house be was
standing bv her bed with his hand on her
throat lie threatened 20 kill her and ner
little children II sbe should scream. The
Just before day break.
As soon ss the negro was gone Mrs. Nc
Crtady, bali dead with fear and excitement,
FASTENED to her nearest Dttghbor and gave
the alarm. The news spread rapidly, and 4
crowd soon collected and went in pursuit OF
The negro, determined TO swing him TO the
most convenient limb. In the mean time
Justice Ambrose Taylor, being informed Of
the facts Of the case, issued a warrant and
dispatched Constable Gladding with posse
TO arrest the negro, who was thought TO be
hiding in the swaups near bis home.
Constable GladdiDg succeeded 10 arresting
Fletcher, who was hiding from his pursuers.
All the surrounding country was aroused
aud men were securing the woods
In every direction, determined to hang
the negro as soon as he could be
captured. Constable Gl&dding managed
to take his prisoner away 10y a cir
cuitous route without meeting any OF the
would-be Iypchers Til he was several miles
from the scene OF the occurrence, when he
was met by several men who demanded
that the prisoner should be surrendered 10
them, but a. the Constable and his posse
showed determination 10 prevent breach
Of the law. they were allowed 10 proceed.
They then fastened on rapidly with the
prisoner 10 Accommack Courthouse, where
he was nut in jsi th, AFTERNOON and chained
10 the floor 10 prevent his escape.
The negro seemed greatly relieved when
he was put in jail and spoke OF his narrow
escape from lynching. lie denies that he
assaulted Mrs, McCready, but his wife testi'
ties that be was away from home all night
and did not return until nearly sunrise. The
negro himself has made several conflicting
statements.
The people in the community where the
assault was committed are intensely excited,
and many persons believe that the laIl Will
be stormed aud the negro hung before morn
ing. but the officials appear to have no appre'
tensions Of such an occurrence.
The negro is about thiriy-flve years old,
very black, and OF powerful frame.
Mrs. McCtesdy Is about thirty, belongs
to highly respected family, aud has always
enjOyed an excellent name among those who
have known her.
A messenger has been sent across the bay
to carry che terrible news 10 Captain Nc
CresdY.