The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-26

Roanoke yesterday quite q crowd OF
white and colored people rushed into
the smokers car to catch a glimpse of
Charles Watkins, who was en- route
from Wilmington, N. c., to Salem, in
charge of Sheriff Zirkle, and Detective
Webbcr, to stand trial for the brutal
murder of his wife, Lucy Watkins. on
the night of Monday, April last. De-
tective Weber gave permission to any
of his Roanoke acQuaintances who de-
sired to greet Watkins to do so and
many colored men and several whites
availed themselves of the privilege.
Several invited him to have a sandwich
or cigar, but he declined with thanks.
The attention of Watkins was at
tracted to crowd of people on the plat
form endoavoring to get q peep at him.
The irrepresible bootblack was par ticu-
larly conspicuous. and Detective Web
Der told Watkins he could crafty their
curiosity if he desired to do so. He
raised the window blind, gazed out
smilingly and grncted several acduain.
tances pleasantly.
The people in the car, as we'll as those
on the platform, abstained from any ref
erence to Watkins wife or Edith Erie
bel. One or more of the hotel waters
who knew him as head waiter at Hotel
Felix at the time he is supposed TO have
SO cruelty murdered his wife near Salem,
remarked on his healthy appearance.
He said he mad been getting the benefit
of sea baths and breczes and oysters and
fish for several months, and laughingly
advised them to go down to Wilmington
for the benefit of their health.
The gong sounded and the crowd
hustled from the car. A representative
OF The TIMES then spoke to the prisoner
and entered into conversation with him.
lie was and had been since his arrival
in Roanoke perfectly cool and collected,
and said he would be pleased to talk
about his trip to North Carolina He
complained greatly of newspaper mis-
representation and false reports circu-
lated by individuals, but said he sup.
posed 1t was natural, as people must
have something to talk and write about.
Watkins said he was never in Peters
burg until he areived there as prisoner
en- route TO Salem. When he resolved
to leave this vicinity he boarded the
cars and went to Lynchburg, where he
took tho Richmond and Danville rail-
road for Wilmington. Here he had no
difficulty in obtaining place as waiter
in leading hotel, and the proprietor
soon promoted him to the position of
head waiter, giving him full control
over his department.
at was relief to get back to Salem"
said Watkins. 'Of course know of the
grave charges againgst me and l was
naturally uneasy and expected to be ar
rested at any time. Now the suspense
and dread is over. and if the colored
people, who have made many threats, I
learn, will keep quiet will make nv
innocence clear"
Further than tho above reference
Watkins manifested an indisposition to
talk about the crime he is accused Of
He said tho sheriff and Mr.. Weber had
dealt very kindly with him, and that he
appreciated it was evident His feet
wore shackles, but his hands were free
1t was not until the train neared
Salem that Watkins became solemn in
his demeanor and an uneasy looy crept
into his face and eyes. Sheriff Zirkle
noticed it and remarked to the represen-
sative of THE TIMES that he hoped the
colored people would not make any I'M
friendly or hostile demonstra ton, as he
had determined to protect him from
violence at all hazards. This assurance
had marked effect upon the prisoner,
and when Detective Weber approached
with pair of handouts he voluntarily
raised his hands and smiled.
There were not many people at the
Salem depot. Watkins was led to the
Hotel Lucerne bus and the driver in
structed to make haste to tho Jail. At
the foot Of the hill on College avenue a
great many colored people had gathered
and both sides of the thoroughfare from
this point to the Jail was crowded
They rushed madly after the bus, but
on its arrival at the prison Chief of
Police Johnson had the way from the
pavement to the door clear, and the
prisoner was quickly led through the
outer door. AS the bolt was shot into
the socket the crowd cheered loudly and
dispersed. AS the officers stepped upon
the Jail porch one or two colored men
hurled a remark at Watkins, but De-
tective Webber commanded silence and
informed them that he would not per-
NIT the prisoner to be insulted En-
route from the depot to the Jail gen.
tleman presented Watkins with cigar
cite and gave him light. He smoked
it and evidently enjoyed its fragrance 2,
but when he espied che crowd terror
again seized him. AS the door closed
upon him sigh of relief escaped his
lips.
The irons were taken from his limbs
and Tailor Henning instructed to allow
him to rest before locking him in cell.
He expressed thanks for this privilege
and said he was very tired and would 90
to bed early. The officers informed
THE TIMES representative that the be-
havior OF Watkins was splendid. Tho
proprietor and guests Of the hotel at
which he worked spoke of him in the
highest terms, and proffered any assis-
lance he would need in making his in