Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-09-25
THE ROANOKE TRAGEDY.

Yesterday was comparatively quiet
in Roanoke, although some excitement
was caused by nearly every member OF
the Roanoke Light Infantry in the city
receiving the following typewriter
notice through the mail: yours, to
administer justice, 1913 CITIZENS" No
Importance is attached to the warning
by abiding citizens, who regard it
as hoax.
There is general desire that Mayor
Trout shall return at once to the city
and regret is expressed that ne left.
Should he need protection, which is ex-
tremely improbable, several thousand
men stand ready to defend him.
All sorts of rumors of threatened
lynching of this, that or the other man,
meetings, the demands of committees,
ETC., are in circulation, but when traced
to the fountain head are found to be
without foundation.
The coroner's jury is still in session.
Six witnesses were examined on Satur-
day and some progress was made to-
ward finding out who was to blame for
the slaughter of eight men and the
wounding of thirty or more, who had
no part in the attempt to break in the
jail but went there simply as spectators.
Out of all the witnesses examined only
two claim to have heard Captain Bird
give the order to the four men at the
west window in the police courtroom to
FIRE on the crowd. 1t seems that the
squad in front fired without orders, as
every soldier examined testified that he
heard no command to shoot.
The soldiers employed in the Roa-
noke Machine Works applied for their
old places, but were advised to take an
indefinite vacation.
Gen. Charles J. Anderson, command
er of the Second Brigade, testified that
Captain Bird, after the mayor had been
carried away and the Northumberland
left, was without authority and did
right to disband his men. All the IN
fortunate victims have been buried and
it is now hoped that all the wounded
will recover.
Mayor Trout, of Roanoke. Is in Rich
mond, stopping at Ford's Hotel. He
reached there Friday night from Lynch.
burg. Saturday night the mayor was
Joined by his son, MIR. John S. Trout
of Roanoke, and yesterday his wife
reached Richmond from Chicago
Mayor Trout is suffering some from the
wound he received in the foot during
the firing on the military by the mol
at Roanoke. He declines to have any,
thing to say for publication at this time
A friend who represented that gen
tleman expressed regret that the May
or's physical condition would not ad
nit Of his discussing the subject of the
Roanoke riot at this time. The mayor
denies emphatically the statement tele'
graphed from Lynchburg Friday night
representing him as admitting that he
gave the command to the military to
fire on the mob. The mayor gave nc
such orders He says stthe Lyncbbure
reporter who telegraphed this state
ment admits that he made mistake in
crcditing the Mayor with such an adj
mission" Mr.. Trout denies also that
he gave an interview to newspaper
men at Lynchburg. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Trout will in a few days pre-.
pare full and comprehensive state,
ment of the Roanoke trouble and the
event leading up to the eliminating
point. This paper will probably be
prepared in Richmond. Mayor Trout
feels no sort of hesitancy about return
ing to Roanoke at once and resuming
his official duties in that city. Indeed
he is only remaining away now to Sc
cure needed rest and recuperate little
after the terrible scenes through which
he has passed in the last few days. He
has no idea that he would be molested
in county in which he was born and
reared, aud in which his people fol
three generations have resided.