The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-14

bLuEFIELD, w. Va, April 13.-TSpe-
ciall-Alexander Foote has paid the
penalty of death for tho murder of
Waterman j. j. Meadows at Bluefield
last Tuesday morning, an account
of which appeared exclusively in THE
TINES last Wednesday morning.
A party of fifty men left Bluefield
early Saturday evening, reaching Prince
ton, eighteen miles distance, about 10
o'clock Sunday morning, whore the muir
derer OF Meadows was in jail. The
men wore masks and demanded the KEYS
OF the jailer, telling him they meant
business and would hear no denial.
The Jaller saw it was useless to resist
and gave up the keys. Then in o5edi-
cnce to the cou mander of the mob no
led the way to the cell where Footo was
confined and pointed out the man,
Tho unlocking of tho door and lead
ing tho prisoner to a convenient tree on
Farmer Graybaugh's plantation was but
the work OF 4 fcw minutes.
a strong rope was ready and tho
moose was adjusted: Before the negro
was swung up he confessed to the kill
ing Of Mcodows, and three others, one
at Radford, one ut Pocahontas and a
policeman in kentucky.
Footo was desperate character.
Last Tuesday morning about , o'clock
he entered the box of Watchman Mead
ows, at I'll o sink hole, near Blueheld,
and asked to DO allowed to warm him
self IL being cold, the snow having
fallen to tho depth of several inches.
Foote was accompanied by another
negro, and tho watchman permitted
them to ROMAN awhile, finally telling
thom 1T was time to move on, when
toote drew n revolver and fred. The
ball struck Meadows over the left eve,
glanced on the skull short distance
and. penetrating the brain, lodging
near the right eye. Meadows lived till
Friday morning.
The negroes Immediately fled. Footo
soon found freight train and attempted
to board it, but was ordered off by tho
conductor. He opened fire on the con-
ductor, firing three times without effect.
The noise aroused Detective Baldwin
who lives near by. Baldwin started for
the scene. Foote, who had not pro-
ceeded far know the detective and see
ing him opened fire again. Baldwin,
never fails to return fire and several
shots were exchanged, the negro fleeing
and Baldwin in pursuit.. Finally both
stumbled in the snow and fell and tho
negro escaped
party was organized and started in
pursuit early in tho morning, but tho
negro was captured before no was over
taken 10y them.
Inglesido is station on the Norfolk
and Western, about twelve miles from
Bluefeld. Miss Galley, lady who
teaches Il county school near there, was
sent TO her school that morning on
horseback on account of tho depth of
the snow. ~ negro boy was sent along
to return the horse.
just before reaching her school Miss
Cafey observed negro hurrying
through field and sent tho boy back to.
tell her brother. who procured double
barrel shot gun and mounted Horse
The suspicious negro was soon over
taken and proved to be Foote He
readily surrendered as his ammunition
was exhausted
Young Galley started toward Bluefield
with his prisoner and meeting the party
surrendered him. Footo was given q
preliminary hearing and sent to Jail at
Princeton.
Tho citizens wero greatly incensed
over the outrageous crime and deter
mined that foote should pay the death
penalty. TIE prisoner was preceded
and followed on his way to Princeton by
parties who were bent on his death.
Men were in ambush watching for an
opportunity to give him 4 dose of lead,
but the strong guard kept so close
around him that it was impossible to
shoot the negro without hitting some of
the guard.
After following for somc distance the
would be lynchers returned.
Footc was safely lodged in Jail at
Princeton, tho county seat Of Mercer
county Wednesday morning. He set
fire to the Jail Thursday morning, and
when the other prisoners raised tn,
alarm they Were taken out by the citi-
zens and placed in n room in the conrt-
house. Water was carried to Foote and
he was told put the fire out or take tho,
consequences Foote decided to wait
for tho limb. When he had extin-
guished tho fro Foose confessed that
he killed Meadows, and said il that
ball did not kill him streak of forked
lightning would not
Footo was one of the most desperate
negroes ever known and everybody
seems to be satisfied with the lynchine.
The Rioters Respited
BALTIMORE. April 13.-[Speciall--T
three Navassa Island rioters under sem
kAxx y