The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-19
LYNCHERS HELD At BAY.
An Attempt to Hang a Negro Brute Frus-
iIaied.

DANVILLE, VA, Sept. B-Speclal.--
An attempt at lynching in this city Sun
day morning and again last night has
created considerable excitement. Satnr-
day night Charles Allen. a negro youth
about eighteen years OF age. went 10 the
house of Mrs. Shelton, a widow woman
living on the outskirts Of North Danville,
and. it is alleged. attempted a criminal
assault on one OF the daughters OF Mrs.
shelton. Mrs. Shelton has two daughters,
Miss NJ j. and V. A. Shelton, and Miss
Barrett. n visitor. attacked the negro
with brooms, sticks, chairs and such
Implements as they could get. The
women were too much for the negro,
| though he fought desperately and, In the
fight, struck Miss NJ. j. Shelton a severe
blow. knocking her several feet and Sc
vereiy iniuring her. The screams Of the
women brought assistance and Allen fed.
He was pursued and caught. however,
and taken to the Danviie jail.
The affair caused great excitement in
North Danville and knots of men stood on
the street corners discussing it.. About
two o'clock Sunday morning large num-
Der of men came from North Danville,
and the Jail officials believing a lynching
bee was on hand. sent for the mayor who
called out the entire police force and
also the military companies. the Danville
Grays and Blues, who guarded the Jail
all day yesterday and last night. About
eleven o'clock last night a crowd mus
tering 200 or 300 came from North Dan
vile, as they claimed, to capture and
hang the negro Allen. They were met by
the officers and ordered to dispense. Some
of the leaders replied that they would
not dispense; that they came for the negro
- IL
this cohoquy was going on all the electric
lights In the city went out, the mob hav-
ing shut down the canal gates, thus cut
ting off the water power from the electric
light works. The crowd then went to
the street on which is situated the court
house and jail. In the meantime a gem
eral fire alarm had been sounded which
signal had previously been agreed upon.
TO call out all the military, and when the
mob reached the courthouse they
found the Danville Grays and Blues and
an extra police force drawn up in line
Mayor Wooding and Commemorative
Attorney Massie spoke 10 the mob,
urging them 10 dispense and assuring
them that IL they advanced any further
they would be fired upon by the military
II was very evident that the would-be
lynchers believed the military was in
sympathy with them and would not fire
upon them. Being assured OF their error
in this respect, they listened TO the mayor
and Commemorative Attorney and sui
lenly retired. The military remained on
duty until seven o'clock this morning and
are on duty again tonight.
Rumors have been rife all day OF plans
for another and more determined attack
on the jail tonight. Last night the
lynchers were without leaders or organ
ization. 1t is said that. II they attack
the jail tonight. they will be well or
ganized and have good leaders
The Mayor and the City Sergeant are
determined TO protect the prisoner, and
any attempt to storm the jail will result
In bloodshed.
Later.-The two military companies
went on duty at the Jail at seven o'clock
Tonight, but up 10 midnight no demon
siration has been made and Il Ia believed
now that none will be made.