The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-11

Aiien StevenS anu he LOatS around
Cave SDrinG-Citizens Indignant Over
the Action of the Policemen.
2 Sleuth- hounds are hot on the trail of
the villain who attempted an assault on
little Alice Perry Monday night.
When the story was read in TIE TIMES
Yesterday morning mothers opened
their eyes in horror and felt for the
safety of their children. Fathers
clenched their fingers, ground their
teeth and some moved forward to action
The police force, to some of whom the
matter had been reported on the night
of the attempted assault discussed the
matter and began looking around for
the negro, who was dressed in light
gray suit and wore rubber boots, accord
ing to the description given in The
TIMEs. Several negroes wero spotted,
and any negro who had on rubber boots
was Swallowed.
But when George Dyer read the ar
ticle he said, Il know the man" A
negro answering that description stole
pair of rubber boots from his stable q
few days ago and Mr.. Dyer got out a
warrant for his arrest. 1t has never
been executed, from the fact that the
negro could not be found. His name is
Allen Stevens.
Ex-Chief of Police Morris hastened
down Commerce street yesterday morn
ing. peculiar blaze was in his eve
that characterized him when he got on
the scent OF villains in the days gone
by. He was promptly accosted by a
TINES reporter and asked what he
thought of tho assault.
II know the negro, he said, land am
going to get him, too"
"Who is he? What is his name?"
"Never mind; you will hear that
later on"
The man whom Mr.. Norris alluded to
was Stevens, and then he said he could
get him if the police were to let the
matter alone.
But r. A. Buckner, who is now acting
mayor, stirred the police up yesterd az
morning. He demanded of Chief Jones
why the matter-such henious and
outrageous offense-had not been re-
ported. Chief Jones said he had heard
nothing Of tho matter at all. 1t had
not been reported to him.
MIR. Buckner then expressed his opin-
ion very freely as to tho duties of police
men, and soon the whole force was we'll
stirred up.
Chief Jones went out to the scene OF
the assault and learned tho facts which
had been stated in The TIMES. He also
inquired of Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Critzer
to- what policemen they had reported
the facts on Monday night. The men
said they had reported it to one or two
on Campbell street and to three on rail
road avenue.
Chief Jones was very indignant that
the case was not reported to him that
night, and says the information was
withheld merely for the purpose OF in
iuring him.
Waller Z. Huff drove out to Mr.. Perry's
and got full description of the negro
The former was then satisfied that it
was Allen Stevens. The negro had
formerly worked for him, and when he
left he carried off pair of high top
rubber boots, just as the child describes.
The gentlemen secured good clueoand
returned to the city.
The negro, Allen Stevens, bears an
unsavory reputation. His father lives
at Fincastle, but Allen has made Roam.
oke his headquarters for some time.
On one occasion, not long since, he as
saulted colored woman, and when
several OF her friends protested he
threatened to shoot them. This &C.
Cured on Railroad avenue, and on &C.
count OF the character of the parties
nothing was said about it. He is also
wanted for breaking open trunk and
several other minor offences.
The negro was certainly we'll de-
scribed and, from the information
hu u,,T
Allen Stevens is the villain, and If the
clue is properly followed up there is no
reason why he should not be caught.
He frequently hangs out about Cave
Spring, and this fact being reported to
Cher Jones he drove out there yestcr.
day accompanied by Officer Schaneks.
The officers returned late yesterday
evening without their man, but not
without.a clue. They found he had
been TO Cave Spring, and was seen
coming from that direction yesterday.
He was evidently bent for Roanoke and
1t is probable that he has gone to
Fincastle. Chief Jones wrote a letter
to the town sergeant of Fincastle yes
terday to arrest Stevens and hold him
for orders. Hr
The chief says he Is now satisfied that
Stevens is the man and is pretty sure
tnat ne Will De captured.
Revival at Greene Memorial.
The revival service at Greene Memoir
ial Church last night was attended by
larger crowd than ever. Every scat
was taken and many stood during the
services. Mr.. Hammer chose for his
subject the text, "That which availeth
man coneth from within, out of the
heart" AT the close of the service