The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-28
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AT THE INQUEST.
The Coroners jury Proceeds to Find TIL
Facts Of the Murder.

The Coroner's jury Proceeds to Find tho
Facts Of the Murder.
Tho nefarions killing Of Thomas G.
Massie cngrossed tho attention and
interest of all Roanoke yesterday. Tho
coroner's jury was early secured, and it
will be seen at glance that a better or
moro representative jury could not have
been obtained. From carly morning
groups OF business men stood about dis
cussing tho situation, and many and
loud wcro the dcnunciations of tho
perpetrators Of tho dastardly outrage.
Indeed, there was not wanting senti-
ment in favor of o summary dealing out
OF justice at the hands OF the people az
soon as guilt could be properly fixed.
Nor did this proceed from the ho t.
headed yonth or the Incorporate ones.
Staid men OF family seriously discussed
tho advisability of invoking lynch law,
as this was the fourth unpunished muir
der, and the malefactors in threo in
stances had gone unhangcd.
Before tho jury of inquiSition con-
vcned the accused had concluded that
their interests were unsafe in tho hands
Of ono of their own race, and called into
requisition tho services of Eston Ran
dolph, Esq, to replace those of r. II.
Henry, who conducted their case at tho
preliminary hearing of Tuesday last.
Mr.. Randolph, however, made it an ex-
press condition of his taking hold Of tho
case that he would drop tho defense at
once should testimony be adduccd tend
ing to prove to his mind the gull. of the
accused.
At IL o'clock Q meeting of citizens
was in session, having for it's purpose
tho raising of a fund to expond in fur
thering tho ends of justice. This meet
ing had received Il splendid impetus
through the oXertions Of Mr.. James Il.
Pugh, of the Herald, who had inter
csted himself i'll starting q subscription
fund, which now amounts toHsS1,3 To
this may DO added the $500 pledged
from tho Council, and similar sum
from the Zeal Estate Exchange
Tho excitement on the streets was at
its height when the coroncr's Jury pro-
ceeded to the house of tho foully muir
dered gentleman to fulfill the conditions
OF the law by viewing tho remains
The mayors Office was thronged with
solid citizens, the names of tho Jurors
forming and index of tho characters OF
the attendants. The jury was composed
as follows: Thomas w. Miller, Esq,
foreman; Fl. S. Trout, II. II. Fishburnc,
T.. II. Stewart, Major A. S. Pitzcr and
G. e. Watson.
Upon leaving the late residence Of
the deceased the jury repaired to the
mayors office, where they went into an
anteroom to hold a private consultation.
When they emerged from tho room
Foreman Miller announced that mas
much as tho case was one of the Grayest
Importance the jury had arrived at tho
conclusion that it was inoxpcdient to
hold 4 public hearing, and requested
everyone not connected with the case To
retire.
Mr.. Randolph vigorously objected to
being Shut out from hearing fraught
with so much of interest to his clients.
lie claimed that the proceeding, if not
illegal, was at least irregular, and he
protested against what he termed u
star-chamber method.
Commonwealth IS Attorney Roy g.
Smith supplemented Mr.. Randolph's
protest with the statement that he did
not object to the latter's presence, and
bought that if he (Srnith) were allowed
10 remain as the representative of the
State Mr. Randolph should have an
equal privilege in behalf of his clients.
j. H. Rodicr, of TIE TIMES, also made
vigorous protest against the exclusion
of tho press. lie called attention to the
fact that tho wider the publicity given
the proceedings the more Justice was
enabled to act intelligently. and in
stanced several cases whero tho guilty