Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-20
THE FORGE AFFAIR.
TNE DETAILS or THE RECENT RIOT
AND THE NEGRO LvNctIN0.
ne Rattle, rassuit and Capturs-Mii'er,
scott, and Burton Hanged and Rid
dled-yvtlluam Morton Relsascd.


come 20 take the town " and do up" tho
place generally. They marched around
from place TO place demanding whiskey
and other drinks, but finding none they
took tho 9:i5 train which passes at that
hour for Clifton Forge, and reached here
IN few minutes. as the distance IL only
two miles. Immediately after getting TO
Clifton Forge they repaired 70 the pno,o-
graph gallery Of q. q. Griffith and de
manded their pictures. which they had
taken after the regular desperate style
with pistols and CARTRIDGES in their belts,
one 81 them, Charles Miller. the acknow-
lodged leader, having no less than four pis-
tolls in full display.
TO TAKE THE TOWN.
They then proceeded TO "A bar-room on
Railroad street, where they. drank freely,
talked loud, and proclaimed Their inten-
ton TO take the town, referring to their
arms. still in full view. as the means and
aid to their desperate design. From the
bar-room they passed out upon the street.
still cursing, swearing. hallooinc. .hrlng
their pistols in the air, and hourishing
their arms generally, saying they had
come TO take the damn town OF CLIFTON
Forge, and meant to have it," and that
"they would kill any damn white man
Who should dare to interfere with them. y
At this point Officer Quinlan. of the spe-
ciai police force, went up TO one OF the
party and ordered him under arrest. but
no sooner had he done so than the rest OF
tho gang drew their pistols. presented
them at the head of the officer. and lie
manded release, which the circumstances
forced the officer to grant.
APossE.
Chief Policeman Gleason then appeared,
n 4 l. al Afffy. Ian
moned a posse Of citizens large enough as
they thought to ensure order and prevent
bloodshed. In the mean while the raiders
continued to parade up and down the
streets in the most boisterous manner.
fiourishinc their weapons and calling upon
others of their color to join them. When
the citizens again came up with the rioters
the latter presented arms and dehed ar
rest. and then moved of down the kich-
mond and Allegheny railroad III the direc-
ton of Iron Gate. firing Their pistols. as
thew went. the citizens following but
making no attack, as most of them were
unarmed.
THE BATTLE.
When near Iron Gate the people of that
town having teen warned of the approach,
the citizens and hands of the rolling mill
headed off the rioters and regular pitched
battle occurred. TIE negroes brought on
the fight by ordering the citizens 10 drop
their rocks and throw down their arms,
which being refused by some the rioters
opened fire on the citizens, instantly
killing William Boiling and mortally
wounding Fred. Wilkinson and slightly
inJurins several others. The citizens
promptly returned the fire and four of the
eight negroes were wounded, one or them
having his leg broken by pistol-ball-
JHE CAPTURES.
The other seven then retreated up the
mountain. which is quite steep at that
point, but their leader (Aliller) being again
wounded he surrendered and the rest we're
III the fight. which now became
general and precipitate. The citizens
beng again reinforced by mounted men
the pursuit was pressed vigorously and
resulted in the capture of two more and
the killing of one-kobert Scott.
THEIR NAMES.
The full names of the rioters as given
your correspondent by the wounded negro
Robert Barton are as follows:
Charles Miller.
John Scott.
Robert Burton.
Walter Wright.
Dick Hoynes.
Robert Scott.
Thomas Dickerson.
Ed. Tinsley.
MURDERERs.'
OF these Miller was the acknowledged
leader, and il was he who opened the fight.
his first shot instantly killing William
Boiling, who was only few feet from him.
Wilkinson received his mortal wound from
the pistol OF Robert Burton.
LODGED IN JAIL.
After the fight special train was sent
down to the scene Of the battle and all the
parties brought here to Clifton Forge.
where the prisoners were duly lodged In
jail. The body OF Dir. Boiling was taken
to his home IN South Clifton Forge. MIR.
Wilkinson was carried to the Wickham
House. The ball which killed Boiling
struck him IN the right arm near the
shoulder, passed through the arm into his
body and lodged III his lungs. Wilkinson
received three wounds-one III his left leg.
one in the bip, and one IN the abdomen
near the right groin.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
The citizens. as the news spread over the
town and surrounding country. became
greatly excited. They cOngregated on the
street corners and freely discussed the
lynch law" As the afternoon and evening
advanced the excitement seemed TO settle
down into @ fixed purpose, until at five
minutes to 10 O'Clock great party, COM
posed mostly of railroad and lron-Gate
men. entered the Mayors office
and demanded the prisoners. Mayor
Bowles, who was present, addressed the
crowd, urging moderation, as did also
Justice Thomson. who had the prisoners
III charge.
A UNANIMOUS RESPONSE.
No sooner had these gentlemen closed
speaking than some one IN the crowd said:
All those III favor of hanging will say
J." III response to which the crowd shout
ed IL /. L." and Immediately made rush
for the jail-door. which was quickly bat
tered down by the large sledge-hammers
which had been brought by the crowd for
the purpose. aud three of the prisoners
dragged forth.
TWO HANGED.
These three were tied together and taken
up tie creek back of the slaughter pens
some four hundred yards from the city
limits. where two of the prisoners, Charles
Miller and John Scott, were hanged. Miller
after arriving on the ground asked the
10 speak. which being granted,
he requested that William Morton. who is
o mere lad OF sixteen, be- released he Mil.
ler) stating that Morton was not one Of
their original number. but was forced to
JOIN thctn.
TURNED LOOSE.
In accordance with this request the boy
was turned loose. although it was known
that he had fired several shots during the
fight and had two pistols when captured.
SWUNG HIM Up.
After Miller and Scott were hanged the
crowd fired yolley into their bodies aud
then returned 10 the Jail for Robert Bur-
ton. As his leg was broken they placed him
IN city cart, which by chance was near,
carried him TO the same spot, and swung
him up ON the same tree by the side of his
Inflated companions.
SILENT STREETS.
The crowd then dispersed and in fifteen
minutes the streets Of Clifton Forge were
as silent Us a graveyard. The moon was
SHINING almost as bright as day. and bathed
IN It's silvery hight the CHASTITY faces of the
MISGUIDED men who we're left hanging on
the tree as well as the lovely scenery by
winch our city is surrounded.
No coScEALMYyr.
There was no effort to conceal the work
OF the night. The inen who were engaged
IN II came IN their usual clothes. with no
species of disguise.
lhe bodies OF the lynched rnen were left
hanging all night on the tree, where they
were viewed yesterday morning by nearly
every citizen Of Clifton Forge. AT 10