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

a few weeks ago representative of
THE TINES, while travelling through the
Kanawha valley, was informed that
prisoner named William Hale, who was
confined in the Jail at Hinton, w. Va,
on the charge of robbery, had made
confession to fellow-prisoner that he
had killed a man in Roanoke just before
Christmas.
The information was received and
handled with due care. Except THE
TIMES people, none but the authorities
at that place were aware Of Hale's con-
fession, and the matter was kept per-
fectly quiet. 1t was thought that an
accomplice in the Massie murder had
been located, and reporter of THE
TIMEs was dispatched to Hinton with a
view OF collecting all possible informa-
ton on the subject.
Hale had been confined in Jail since
January 90, at which time he was cap
tured by the Hinton police on the
charge of robbing Graham's hardware
store at that place last July.
The robbery was committed at night.
A quantity OF pistols, razors and small
pieces of cutlery were carried off.
Next day Hale disappeared and suspi-
cion at once pointed toward him as the
guilty party. A few months later he
was located at Blueficld, and at once
placed under arrest and lodged in Jail.
Sergeant III. j. Flanagan, of Hinton,
was sent after Hale, but when no ar
rived in Bluefield the wiry fellow had
succeeded in breaking Jail and had
escaped.
After this the authorities of Hinton
heard nothing of Hale's whereabouts un-
til he was found last January back at
his old Eaunts.
lie was given preliminary hearing
by Justice Dunn and sent on to the
grand jury. He was indicted at the
April term of theo Summerscounty court
for house breaking, but the trial was
postponed till May.
Walter Ray. young white man who
was confined in Jail on the charge of
striking and severely wounding man
with billiard cue, got into the conf
dence of Hale, who intimated several
times that he had accomplished some
rash deed in Roanoke. Ray communi-
Gated this piece of intelligence to the
jailor, Mr.. Colt, from which source a
TINES representative obtained the first
clue to something that promised to I'M
rayel the Massie murder mystery
Ray was told to pump tho prisoner.
but not understanding the case, he could
not talk to him on the subject with any
degree Of success.
When THE TIMES reporter arrived at
Hinton and called on the taller, that
functionary was absent about Is miles in
the country. Mrs. Colt was present,
however. and seemed willing to do any
thing in her power to aid in unravcling
the mystery of which she had heard so
much. Mrs. Colt is a tall. powerful
woman and does not fear any one pris-
oner confined in the Jail. Taking two
large brass keys from bureau drawer.
she led the way to the Jail. The mas
slve door on the outside swung open at
her touch, revealing long row of cells
fenced about with massive iron grating.
Mrs Colt next fitted key in cell
door, which she opened and pulled a
young man out by the collar.
This was Walter Ray. He did rot seem
to be man who would attempt murder
He was pleasant and agreeable, owned
up to his own faults, and was free from
the staggering gossip of the man who
thinks confinement makes him q
martyr.
IIE TIMES reporter was introduced as
Rays brother, who had come from dis
lance to secure his release. Both stood
before Hale's cell and talked, and the
supposed murderer entered into the
conversat ton. THEE times during the
day THE TINES man visited the Jail, the
third time as prisoner for the night
on the charge of attempting to secure
the release of Bayard Hale. Then a
scheme was concocted to break Jail.
TIE TIMES man, the next morning after
obtaining his release, was to procure
several small saws and nand them to
Ray, who was allowed to walk around
the corridor.
Hale was TO assist in tho work and
thereby secure his escape. They were
to join The TIMES man in Roanoke. 1t
was then decided that Hale could not
come to Roanoke on account Of confess
sion he had made to Ray. Then Hale
told all about his stay in this city and
declared he had not hit man hard
enough to kill him.
After leaving Bluefield he made his
way to Roanoke and hung out around
Railroad avenue for several weeks. One
night while in saloon he became
rather noisy, and a young policeman
came in and ordered him to stop. The
negroes told him that the young man
was only policeman's son, wearing his
fathers badge, and that no attention
should be shown him, as he had no
authority Hale then abused him and
sharp words followed, which resulted i'm
blows. Hale was hustled out of the
way, and the officer failed to find him.
Some one told him he had killed the
young man. That night he boarded a
Shenandoah Valley train and beat his
way to Buchanan. From there he came
on to Hinton and hid in his mothers
house on the mountain side, Just above