The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-19

noon on the narrow gauge railroad just
beyond Roanoke river between two
watchmen and crowd of boys which
came near winding up in a serious
affair.
Robert Gordon, steam filter, and
Cornelius Anderson were assigned to
watch the track to prevent tho boys
from riding down grade on tho cars.
Shortly after noon the two men
learned that some boys had taken tho
car out toward the top of the hill and
were preparing to ride down. Several
other boys were waiting for them to
come back. These were driven off on
the hill by Gordon, who, the boys say,
fired ono shot at them. They remained
on the hill, however, and watched Cor
don and Anderson, who began placing
distractions on the track for the pur-
pose of stopping tho approaching truck,
which could DO heard coming around
curve.
The truck soon appeared with I've or
six boys on it. Some of them jumped
Off, and as the truck struck large rock
it was deraled, throwing Tom Butler
off and cutting largo cash in his head.
Gordon then drew his revolver, and
tlourishing it at the boys, compelled
them to put the truck on the track
This the boys did, while Gordon walked
behind with his hand on his pistol
pocket.
About this time another crowd Of boys
came along who said they could not be
bull-dozed. Among them was Bascom
Bernard, Henry Turney, A. Il. Woold
ridge, Ernest Moody and John Walthall.
Walthall told the boys to drop the
truck and leave it alone, seeing that
they were forced to shove it back. Cor
don then drew his pistol and dared them
to let it,alone, and warned Walthall not
to interfere.
On arriving at the ore-washer the
boys gathered about the two watchmen.
Finally Gordon told them to move, and,
according to testimony, snapped his pis
to' directly in IL boys face. lie also
drew it on John Walthall and ordered
h i'm to throw up his hands.
Mr.. Woodbridge had two little chill
dren with him and all started away.
Gordon then began firing, and the boys
say the bullets whistled around their
heads.
Bernard swore out warrant for Cor
don, and tho case was tried before
Mayor Evans yesterday morning. The
refused was represented by w. 4. elias
gov.
A few witnesses were examined for
the defense and tho above facts were
brought ont in the evidence.
The evidence of Gordon and Anderson
showed that tho boys used bad language
and ono of them drew a pistol OH him at
the beginning of the disturbance. They
have been making practice Of riding
on the cars, and Sunday week ago one
of the cars was broken, but by whom
could not be fonnd out. 1t was suppos-
ed, however, it was the same crowd
The manager of the mining company
was present and testified to the good
character of Gordon, and said the pro-
perty of the company had been damaged
by the boys
The mayor reserved his decision till
this morning, saying there was some
new features in the case on which he
desired more time to reflect.
The affair caused considerable excite
ment and several citizens whose sons
were in the crowd say that if Gordon is
not sent on to the grand jury they will
take further measures themselves.
Three of The boys were arrested near
the scene Of Sundays disturbance yes
terday charged with flourishing guns
and pistols at the men with whom they
had trouble on Sunday. a messenger
was sent to police headquarters for an
officer, and Mr.. Merriman was sent out.
lie took charge Of James Elliott John
Walthall and Bascom BERNARD and car.
ried them before Mayor Evans, who
bailed them in the sum of so each for
their appearance this morning.
This was one side of the story, and
those who have the evidence in the
morning lost sympathy for the boys. and
said they had spoiled the whole matter.
Mayor Evans told TIMES reporter
yesterday evening that he regretted
very much the latter action of the boys.
lie said that Gordon's conduct in put
ting rocks on the track was pcniten
tiary offence.
The boys claim that they we're out for
the purpose of training some dogs, and
before they were aware of what was
going on police and several men
rushed upon them with drawn pistols
and demanded their surrender. They
surrendered. Of course, and were
searched. Their guns were taken away
by the authorities. Two of them had
shotguns and one had a pistol. The
boys claim that they crossed the river
on the narrow gauge bridge and turned
Immediately up the river, not going
about the men at the tracks Of the road,
who say that they were threatening to
shoot them. The boys will be repre-
scented in the mayors court this morn
ing by Lucien III. Cooke.
The Kramer Case.
The Kramer case was argued in the