The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-04

been performed. John #. Rcdd and
Rnfus IL. Williamson were yesterday re /.
leased from custody on tue COMPARE
lively light bail of $500, John Davis, q
we'll known colorcd capitalist, going
their security.
The preliminary hearing had been set
for 10 a. m, and on Monday last, when
this proceeding was sought as remedy
OF release. it was announced that Mayor
Evans would preside at yesterdays
hearing, but, at his request, Squire
llowcrton was substituted in his stead
1t was 1890 before the magistrate ar
rived, and by that timo the Hastings
courtroom was packed with a dense
mass OF men, about equally divided
between the races, while within tho rail
wore collected court officials, policemen,
witncsses. lawyers and newspaper men.
Somehow the Impression had goae
forth that the prosecution had
abandoned anS intention of desiring tho
further detention Of the accused With
out bail, and rcvulsion Of popular feel
ing Was noticeable or all sidea. The
men were not gaZed at with that OK
preston OF intense hatred inspired by
the foul crifno and belief in their guilt
80 prevalent week ago. and curiosity
had taken its place. Their dcmeanor
was favorahly commented upon on all
sides, and the opinion Was generally
expressed that il they wero the guilty
parties they were men OF remarkable
nerve.
During the progress OF discussion
between Mr.. Randolph, their counsel,
and the attorneys FOR tho common
wealth, Mcssrs. Smith, Bibb and Scott,
RoGd and Williamson were visibly ner-
vous, the latter rocking back and forth
on his chair and chewing toothpicl,
with great carne stncss, while Rcdd's
gaze wondered about with painful un-
certainty.
AT the conclusion Of this consultation
Roy Il. Smith, on behalf OF the 3ium0n-
wealth, explained to the magistrato tho
status OF the case. lie said the men
were held on the charge OF numbering
Ihcs Il. Nlasaic, but stated that tho
commonwealth WIS not ready to proceed
with preliminary examination, and
that continuance would have to be re-
qucstcd. The coroncr's jury, he said,
WAS yet in session, material witnesses
were absent, and the prosecution was
unable To proceed. He said tho COM
monwcalth would not resist motion 4,
admit 10 bail.
Eston Randolph, on behalf CT tho
accused, then briefly sl1e!chcd the case
against his clients as he understood it
They had been arrested, he contcnded,
upon warrant based upon information,
and the strongest case tho common
wealth had sought to make out rs vet
was based upon the slightest suspicion
lie would not press for an Immediate
examination, nor did his clients desire
wait upon the law, conscious of limo
cencc. lie called attention to the CON
stitutional inhibition against excessive
bail, and said that the term '.oXcessiye"
was Il question OF degree. and said that,
all things considered, $500 would be- a
large bond under which to place each of
the men. but that they would cndeavor
to give that amount.
Mr.. Smith said that thc surl men
toned would be satisfactory if the re-
sponsibility of the bailov was unqucs-
tionablc.
Mr. Scott suggested that tho continu-
ancc be for the full limit (ten days. al =.
lowed by tho law, and asked that tho
hearing be set for Tuesday, the 18th
in slant.
After some farther parlcy the date OF
airing and amount of bail, 500, were
reed upon. and the Witnesses who had
b en- summoned were recognized To
appear upon that date.
1t was then II o'clock, and Mr.. How
ton announced that he would he ready
t, examine into tho sulicicncy of the
surati ia nfra-.h tim, ,it,..i,,,r ,I,
day, and the crowded court room was
speedily cleared OF all save the police
men and Interested friends of the ac-
cused.
ut 1890 John Davis appeared in the
courtroom, MIR. llowcrton was sent for,
and the preliniinarics of accepting tao
former were speedily attended to.
At l2:IO the magistrate announced
to the now trembling men that they
were free TO go.
For moment mother seemed 10 real
izc that he was in measure free again,
but as their friends gathered about
them to offer congratulations, Rodd
shiverod and wiped his eyes, while
Williamson heavcd q deep Sign, us OF
release from deep agony. and both
slowly left the room. When the Gooi
was reached each looked up at the sky
- though reioicrd to sec il again, and
lo t for their resp; ctivo lonies.
Redo INTERVIEWED.
Shortly after his release reporter
for TIE TIMES interviewed Jonn T..
Redd at his place OF business on Rail-
road avenue. hedd appeared TO be
da2cd. and when the reporter asked him
how he felt over his release and the
partial vindication indicated he was af.
po>ure he said:
81 can only say that am glad to he