The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-09
FIRED AT WHITE CAPS
ONE MAN rs KILLED AND ANoTR n
FATALLY FOUNDED.
John y. WiIer, Who Bore . Bad Rsputs-
ton, Confronts . Dozen Masked Men
With . Revolver.


Special-As the result OF misguided de-
sire to iLfiict white cap punishment
upon John +. Wiler, Powell Beckner lies
dead at his apartments at tie Sweet
Springs Hotel, the weli.known summer
resort. Wiler has borne a bad reputation
in this section for long time. He has
always been defiant OF the rather primi-
tive moral code which prevails. and has
done about as he pleased. keeping within
the bounds OF the law. He has carried on
a liaison with a neighbor's wife, and
otherwise displayed his lack Of conside-
ration OF good form. Besides this he has
persisted in drinking whiskey openly In
community whose sentiments were against
such things.
Last spring his wife secured a divorce
from him, and he took up his residence
with William Foster. assisting IN with
his farm work and doing odd JOBS Oh
she emaking About two weeks ago he
received several notices, signed by white
caps" and warning him to leave the eoin-
munity upon pain OF serious personal IN
Jury, the srecIhc penalty to be applied
in case he did not leave being switch
ing and a coat of tar and feathers. He
paid no attention to these threats, ex-
cept TO procure a first-cass revolver and
10 openfy announce that when the white
caps" called for him he would be ready
for them. Last Thursday he was warned
that within a week he would hear from
the white caps" again.
on Sunday night ne was awakened by
some one knocking on the outer door
of Mr.. Fosters residence. Mr. Foster
was not at home. and Wiler called TO
know what was the matter. A voice an
swered that one OF Mr.. Fosters horses was
sick IN the pasture field and needed at
tentlon. Wiier was not thinking OF
"white cans" but dressed quickly TO so
IN look after the sick horse. lie hap
nened TO have his revolver in his trousers
nocket. however. and unfortunately had
use for It. As he stepped upon the porch
I'm front OF the house he was confronted
bv two men, both wearing white masks.
Wiler was ordered to throw up his
hand. but, instead OF complying with the
order. he reached into his pocket ana
drew forth his pistol. The white caps
were evidently not prepared for move
of this sort. for neither was armed with
anything but a wagon whip Inc wnlte
caps" made a run for IL, and Nller went
hack into the house. After a few minutes
he heard a crowd OF men ABOUT the
house. He went 10 the door and warned
them that the first one who attempted TO
enter the house would be shot. Finally
some one banged Oh the door, and it
seemed II would come off the hinges.
Wuer waited for no more, but
showed the kind OF stuff he
was made Of by unfastening it
and coming out. There were no fewer
than a dozen men about the yard. but
the minute they saw Wier's pistol flash
ing in the moonlight they all turned ana
ran. Wiler took a turn at administering
punishment, and emptied his pistol into
the crowd as they ran.
one man fell on the road and another,
who was following. fell over his pros
trate body and lay there. The others
made their escape, and Wiler went unmo~
Tested TO the Sweet Springs Hotel. where
Mr.. Foster was doing turn as night
Waterman, and told him Of what had
happened Foster went back with Wiler,
and in the road they found Powell Beck
ner lying a corpse, bullet having pierced
his brain, entering near the left ear.
Upon his body, where he had fallen,
unable to move, on account or pistol
ball in his back, was Thomas Coyne.
Wner and Foster took both men 10 the
hotel, where a physician did all he could
for the living, and an undertaken put the
corpse In shape for burial Beckner had
been employed I'm connection with the
management Of the hotel for several
years, and was n general favorite. No
one had ever dreamed he was taking part
in any such proceedings, and the com
munity was Mortified at the news when It
spread abroad the next morning.
Coyne was well-to-do farmer. and was
respected in the community. He may re-
cover, but It is doubtful. Wiler made no
effort TO escape. and on Monday gave
himself up 10 the authorities
Wler is very unpopular in the COM
munity. while the dead man and his
wounded companion were very well liked.
There was talk Of lynching Wiler, but
IL Is not likely that II will amount 10 any
thing more than talk, as fair-minded
people see that he was merely defending
himself when the trouble occurred. He
has been locked up. and will be taken to
Union. the county seat. for safe keeping.