The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-04-24

orcaklnB jail ana returning TO Roanoke.
n signal was given and the reporter
was released from the dismal prison
containing several murderers.
Hale's mother was found living in
rude log cabin on the mountain side
The floor was alive with her offspring
OF all sizes. The eldest was in Jail
She said he returned to Hinton about
five weeks before Christmas. Her story
was confirmed by John Smith and
family who 1.-Two near by. They had
seen him lurking about his mothers
house several weeks before Christmas
and up till the time he was captured.
Several other witnesses said the same
thing. The fact was then established
that Hale had nothing to do with the
Massie murder, although the Hinton
authorities were positive that he was
implicated in it from what he had let
drop before and after his arrest
Hale'swhole story as to the gun robbery
was told to THE TINES reporter, and
how he made his escape from the Jail at
Blue6eld. He denies to the TAILOR any
knowledge of the robbery, but init
mated to Walter Raw that he was guilty.
Hale is young negro, very surlY at
times, and has desperate temper. 1t
was ascertaincd that he had baen in
Roanoke shortly before Christmas and
the remark that he let drop in Hinton
before and after his arrest led to the
belief that he was implicatedin the
Massie murder.
Considerable correspondence passed
between The TIMES office and the Hinton
authorities relative to the matter, and
it was decided to investigate the case
1t can now be clearly established that
| Hale Is innocent of this charge, but it
shown hat ~ f,ro n 81,
| store.
The man whom Hale claims to have
struck in Roanoke was undoubtedly
ex-Ofiiccr w. A. Vest, nephew of Off
Ger Jasper Vest. lie attempted to cor
rect an unruly negro on Railroad avenue
about that time. The fellow escaped.
THE TIMES reporter was received with
great deal of courtesy by the officials
of Hinton, and was assisted by them in
every possible manner to ferret out the
mystery surrounding the prisoner Hale.
Mr.. Colt, the jailer. has been in the
position he now holds for nearly ten
years, and is equal to any emergency.
| Hinton has not yet got on boom, but
is moving forward steadily in internal
| improvements. Situated in the Kama
wha valley. directly on the banks of
New river, and bounded by lofty noun
tains on either hand, Hinton has not
much room to spread, but is building up
in solid, compact manner.
New water works are being put in.
The work was begun several months
ago, and the pipes are now laid through
out the city. The supply is taken from
New river and forced into the city by
a powerful pump. The new reservoir is
not yet completed, but force of hands
is busily engaged and the work will be
completed in a fow weeks. The reser-
voir is located on hill just north of
the city, and has an elevation of about
$50 feet above the bed of the river.
This will afford the enormous pressure
of no pounds to the square inch. Fire
plugs have been placed throughout the
| principal streets, and the people are
now ready to fight any fire that may
break out.
The mayor is Mr.. J. A. Rife, broth
or of NJ. a. Rife, of this city. lie is uni
versally popular and was elected few
months ago by large majority. lie is
| getting tho municipal work in good
shape and is having the town thorough
ly cleaned up. He holds court every
morning. and is ably assisted in the ad-
ministration of Justice by two excellent
sergeants.
The Odd Fellows will celebrate the
anniversary of the order on Saturday
night. large number of guests have
been invited. Speeches will be made
by several prominent members of the
order. after which the lodge will give q
banquet in their hall