The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-31


whole. No effort is being spared by
the police, press or people to conclu-
sively provo tho guilt or innocence OF
Redd and Williamson in tho matter of
the terrible crime which has been com
mitted.
Early IN the morning Detective j. o.
Pitt, of the Norfolk police forge, arrived
in Roanoke for the purpose of seeing
ltcdd in order to ascertain if no were
the man Marcellus Williams, also known
rs John T. Redd, sometimes called Red
Horse. Pitt went to tho Jail at .. In
in company with Chief Morris, and
after an inspection of tho parties de-
clared that neither was tho desperate
ruffian whom he sought Pitt LETT on
the 0.05 train for Norfolk.
Great satisfaction was expressed by
the friends of Redd and Williamson at
the publication in these columns yestar-
day morning Of the special dispatch from
Danvillc, which set forth tho fact that
both enjoyed an enviable reputation in
that place. 1t was remarked that TIE
ZINES was seeking to lay the full truth
and facts in the matter, and the friends
OF the accused men felt grateful for the
publication.
Williamson's wife was found in CHARGE
at tho snack house at the corner of
Salem avenue and Nelson street by
TINES reporter yesterday morning. She
sad she was trying to keep up her cour-
are until the guilty parties could be
discovered and her husband released.
Tho business, she said. was suffering
to day for want Of Williamson's pres
cncc, and she was in hopes that Sltur-
day would terminate his confinement.
She said her husband was y natl vo Of
Clarkville, Mecklenburg county, this
State, whore he and his family were
held in good reputc by the white people.
NO. 20 Railroad avenue was next
visited by the reporter. II was found
to be in charge by j. Ash, Rcdd's clerk.
Ash said that business was not in
such good condition as he would
like to have it, but did not think
that this resulted SO much from
itedd's abSerce as to tho fact that trade
in all lines foil oil after Christmas. Ash
said he had no fear OF the outcome, as
they could account for every moment Of
Redd's timc from o'clock until tho
time no was arrested.
Three doors below, at No. &c, was
found tho other snack house run by
Rcdd in conjunction with j. Il. Ratley.
Tho latter said that he had known Rcdd
for long time and knew he had never
lived in lseidsyillc, as testified By Smith
yesterday. When asked about his move
nients on the day in question Ratlcy
stated that they were just opening tho
place at No. 90 in order to catch the
Christmas trade, and, although Redd
drew money out OF bank in the morning
wherewith to pay Mr.. Massic, his time
was so occupied III getting ready to
open tho house that he did not have
time to pay it before o'clock Redd,
he said, was man of some little means,
and owned property in North Danyille,
whero he was well thought of.
John Il. Redd is u man OF medium
height, compactlY built, and carries
himself erect. He will weigh about $50
pounds. In color he is nearly white, and
is not unprepossessing in appearance.
lie wears short Side-whiskcrs and u dap
per moustache. His features generally
arc those Of the Caucasian Of the tropics,
| or the meiangeon Of this climate.
Rufus H. Williamson is IT tho African
type, though more white blood courses
through his veins than negro. He ia
possibly foot 10 in height, an inch
and half taller than his companion in
misery. lie, too, wears side-whisiers
and moustache, both heavier, however
than Redds. and in addition wears upon
his lover chin small tuft OF hair ap-
preaching tho dignity OF goatcc. His
checks are full, and hang in loose folds
upon heavy set jaw. In color he is
near to that OF an Indian. but it is u
shiny. sleek, and what might be called
| al
| walking or sitting, and his gaitis some
what stumbling. Like Redd, he is in
tclli.ent looking, but the former is evil
IDENTIFY the better posted and the more
able to take care of himself in argu-
| ment. Williamsc will weigh nc p un
The two men bear Il strong rcsrm-
| lance each to the other, and the likeness
| is striking one except in the tint of
| flesh. Viewed apart and not seeking
| the points of differences which exist. one
! would say that they were twins, but to-
| gethcr, while they look a ike as brothers
resemble each other, several little
things beyond the color OF the two men
suggest themselves to the observer.
Ash, who is now attending to Rcdd's
business, has also many of the features
OF the two accused men, but is lighter
in build. He is somewhat OF the color
of Williamson, but is erect and even
jaunty in appearances. lie wears no
side whskers, but has an abundant
monstachc. He is altogether good
looking negro, and has a frank appear
ancc.
Ratlcy, whom Rcdd lately took into
partnership with him in an eating house
on Railroad avenue, thrcc doors below
where Redd Independently keeps, is an
elderly man, evidently u pure negro,
with the race ractcristi:s OF the
more intelligent of his class. llc.cN-
DRESSES 4 piOus belief in Tho inna C nc