The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-02-14

Edward Daniel, alias William Uazlc-
wood, was brought before Judge Robert
son yesterday morning. He has secured
Capt w. w. Berkelevas his counsel, on
whose motion the arraignment of the
prisoner was set for tho April torn of
tho Husting's Court.
Daniel had been furnished with n new
suit of clothes, his face was washed and
he did not appear to be tho half-idiot
which has characterized him all along.
The judge asked him if he had secured
counsel, and gave him tho privilege of
having an examination in open court.
Tho prisoner replied that he had not
as yet selected counsel, but desired the
services of Capt. Berkeley.
The prisoner seemed rather uncon-
cerned about his peculiar position, and
when the questions were first pro-
pounded by the judge, he gave evasive
answers He recognized pretty soon,
however, that he was facing the authori.
ties of tho Commonwealth, and seeming
to realize his dangerous position, gave
direct replies to the court
If anything III the proceeding alarmed
IL.
TO the contrary, his general dcameanor
betokened a man who cared very little
whether he were convicted or not or
whether the mystery remain forever
concealed within his bosom. He seemed
to be man who could keep it.
TIE TIMES of yesterday morning
stated that Daniel was from New Dan
villc, in Pittsylvania county, where he
had mother living. This statement
proved to DO correct when THE TIMES
reporter learned the full story of his
career yesterday.
The family is disreputable, and have
resided in Milton, near Danville, where
the prisoner was born about % years
ago. Neither his father or mother were
married. lie has brother who is said
to be in the penitentiary, and three
half-sistcrs who are the offspring of
negro father. All three belong to the
lowest grade of humanity, and are
notorious prostitutes. Ono resides in
Danvillc, another in Lynchburg, and
the third in Roanoke. Tho latter is
we'll known in police circles in this city
and hangs out on Railroae avenue. She
is nearly white and regarded as ono of
the bascSt characters in the city.
The prisoner worked about the Dan
vile tobacco factories for q number of
years. lie left tn 1T place in 1883 and
travelled with Richardson's show, and
later with Robinson's as a tent hand.
Little is known of his operations in this
capacity, other than he was regarded as
thug.
About one year ago he first appeared
in Roanoke, and was fined for insulting
some ladies on the street. Being un-
able to pay tho amount (about SlO) he
was placed in the chain gang, where he
labored for a month.
Whom he was released he skipped
town and nothing more was heard Of
him until he made his second appear
ance before the Roanoke public, De-
cember 14th last. lie was loafing about
tho Yves. End. Furnace most of the time,
where he usually slept at night, going
out during the day and begging. He
kept up the practice until the big snow.
Then he turned up on Campbell street.
and Shoveled snow ut Mr.. Massie's resi-
dcnce. lie got 20 cents an hour, when
hands were in demand on Salem avenue
at the same time for 81 an hour to do
the same work.
He was at Mr.. Massie's residence the
day after the Mr.. Massie was assaulted,
and soon returned to his old haunt-the
warm boiler house at the West End Fur
mace.
About that timo hands were scarce, as
many of the laborers were going home
for the holidays. The foreman at the
furnace insisted that he should 90 to
work, and offered him S125 a day. He
refused all propositions of the kind and
preferred to ramble about during the
day and returning at night. Tho man
agemcnt finally became tired of his
presence and drove him off.
Next he appeared at Il certain house
in the eastern part of the city, where
he engaged board. His actions here
were such as to attract the attention of
the family and cause suspicion.
Soon afterward he fell into the hands
of the police, which eliminated in his
Indictment for the murder OF Mr. Massie.
1t is claimed that the facts obtained
are sufficient to hang Daniel, though
what they arc remains to be seen, and
are known only to the shrewd detective
and level-headed policeman who brought
about the startling revelation and fur
nished sufficient evidence to ind an in
dictment before the grand jury. There
are certain facts in the case yet to be
developed, and for this reason the au-
thorltlcS deem it best to withhold the
evidence.
1t Looks Like Forgery.
w. A. Holman, proprietor Of the
Continental Hotel, received letter yes
terday notifying him that H. D. Calico
& Co., of Wytheville, held check on