Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-23

had been maltreated only by his own color
that he bore no malice, and was neither
sorry nor ashamed TO be there; that the
Attorney for the Commonwealth was right
in prosecuting him: but he blamed the
Jury, two Of whom he saws admitted that
they believed INN innocent, even after
they had brought in a verdict OF guilty;
that if any say he was guilty they he, and
they know IL: that the Sheriff had always
been kind TO him: that he knew If he lied
about il he could not 90 10 Heaven; that
he confessed 10 drunkenness and gam
bling. but not 20 the burning. He took
his seat.
EARLY PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE.
Early then said that he. too. was inno-
cent. that when he confessed he lied that
both white and colored had lied on him;
that he had forgiven all. and wanted all TO
meet him in Heaven: that God had for
given him-no, for the burning, OF which
he was innocent, but for other sins which
he had committed.
DEAD.
Both submitted quietly to the adjust
ment Of the caps and ropes, and at 1906
the traps were sprung, the prisoners fell,
and in twelve minutes and forty seconds
they were dead.
History of the Crime.
The readers of the Dispatch will remember
the exciting contest for the gOyernorship
in Old Virginia last fall in which the De
mocracv and the anti-Mahone Republicans
of the State defeated General William Ma
hone. the regular Republican candidate, by
the unprecedented majority OF 1900.
During this excitement in the Old Do
minion Malone made an appointment to
speak in the quiet and unpretentlous village
of Rocky Mount.
The Democrats had not been idle in the
canvass. -,
"Parson" Massey and Cyclone jim"
Marshall followed Malone and spoke to
large crowds in warehouse owned by
Democrats of the town.
Mahones friends asked permission 10
occupy this same building on the occasion
of his visit, but were refused
This fred the malicious hearts OF some u
the black politicians Of the place. and tnat
night they determined to burn the town IN
revenge for the aGront put upon their po-
htical boss.
A SAVAGE RETALIATION.
Twenty-six stores and dwellings were
burned, and many OF the inmates OF the
buildings barely escaped with their lives.
The wind was from the west. and from
the first the fire was beyond control The
sight was appalling. In less than an hour
one third of the town was Wild scene OF
fire. fright. and confusion. Main street
for one half a square was rooted by solid
sheet Of fame, flowing from west 70 east.
Frightened women and children fled bare
foot in every direction before the flames,
having had scarcely time to wrap them
selves in blankets under which they had
slept Little was saved. and II was a mar
vel that no lives were lost.
IL was scene Of terror well calculated 70
So
burned everything within reach, and all
efforts 10 impede It's progress proved futile.
That night It was noticeable that the ne.
groes. who were afterwards suspected OF
participation IN setting fire 10 the ware
house. took but little interest IN extiu-
gushing the flames. The rest Is easily
told.
Prosperous citizens were reduced to
penury, and for a time were without homes,
food, or raiment. These, however, We're
quickly supplied by their moro fortunate
friends and neighbors.
HISTORY OF THE IScENDIARY FIRE.
The connection between General Ma
homes visit TO Rocky Mount and the in
cendiary fire was easily traced.
The indignation aroused among the ne
gro followers Of the Boss by the refusal of
the use OF the warehouse for Malone
meeting was intensified by the spectacle
of Parson Massey and Marshall addressing
a large and enthusiastic meeting OF Demo-
Gratis in the same building on October
County-Court dav. That evening Henry
Smith. a sort Of local political leader
among the negro MahOneites, was arrested
on the charge Of lighting and fined. Some
of his friends wished 10 pay his fine and
keep him ont Of jail, but the Sergeant de
chned to release Smith aud put him IN jail
10 remain till morning TO meet the charge
Of being drunk and disorderly.
This action of the Sergeant seemed TO in
flame the anger Of Smiths friends TO the
highest pitch. and many threats of revenge
against the corporation were made. Henry
Smith was beard 20 say IN jail that night
that the town would be on fire before 2
o'clock. George Early was heard 10 say
that he would have Henry Smith out Of
iail before morning or burn the town.
Other threats were made that evening.
but no one suspected that dreadful catas-
trophe, which was to bring ruin 10 so many
happy homes, was at hand. That night
about II o'clock the alarm of fire was given.
At that time the fire was confined TO the
northwest corner of the warehouse, from
which it soon spread 20 the rest Of the
warehouse and the adjacent buildings.
The Council Of the town took immediate
action looking to the detection of the
with plenary powers 10 contract with and
employ detectives.
COLoRED DETECTIVE.
The committee quietly communicated
with Wrens Detective Agency Of Rich
mond. Va, ard in few days two opera
tiyes. one white and one black, appeared
IN Rocky Mount and began operations.
The Chairman of the committee was ac-
quainted each night with the progress
made. The colored detective, in the guise
of q Malone politician, made rapid head
way in the confidence of the suspects and
Others towards whom suspicion had not
been directed at first. Notable among
the latter class was William Brown, who
had been the first to give the alarm Of fire
on Monday night.
After two weeks the colored detective
was so highly regarded by George Early
that in a moment of confidence. when his
tongue was loosened by liquor, the latter
confded TO him that he was present when
the oil was poured on the warehouse and
the match applied.
The affair was now ready for the au-
thorities. and George Early, Morgan Dick
lnson, Henry Smith, William Brown, and
Others were quietly arrested.
ARREST OF THS IScESDARIEs.
In few DAYS George Early confessed
that William Brown and BIRD woods We're
with him when the warehouse was fired.
Woods was Immediately arrested and the
three were taken To Lynchburg. as pre-
caution against violence, as the people
were much enraged and threats of lynch
ing had been freely made.
Judge Peters had grand jury sum-
moned for November court, aud they en-
tered upon a patient and laborious inquiry
into the circumstances connected with the
crime. Asa result of their investigation
the grand Jury indicted Bird Woods, Nan
ME Woods, William Brown, Morgan Dick
inson, and George Early for arson, and
Henry Smith AZ an accessory before the
fact. The woman Mamie Woods was
proved to have been present and held her
dress so as TO keep the match from being
blown out by the wind.
TRIED AND sESTEsCED.
The prisoners were tried at the Decem-
Der term of the County Court and George
Early, William Brown. Bird and Mamie
Woods found guilty and sentenced TO be
hanged.
The rest of the prisoners were dis
charged from custody. They were
n