Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-08
TRIED TO LYNCH HIM
A FRsNzlEo NEGRO MOB IN JACKSON
WARD LAST NIGHT.
Attempt to wrssk sunsssy vssgssess
Upon . wsuid-Be wife-Musdsrss~
Saved by . Piachy o6scsn

There came very near being lynching
in jackson Ward last night. and 10
wouldn't have been hanging. either, bus
the literal tearing to pieces Of negro by
mob Of his own race. Only tho pssmpt-
ness and determination u 0fiicer w. II.
Baker. supplemented later by the assist
ance of officer Maurice Griffin. prevented
such a sequel to another traeic scene.
In nea. frame house on tho conner Of
st. Peter and Charity streets live Joseph
Royster aud wife and thslr ahrce children.
Royster IL q cook at the Exchange Hotel.
and very black negro. His wsie y
bright mulatto. About o'ctock last
night Royster. IN . ut of JeslonS5 oecs-
stoned by q letter. II is ssic. seized long
knife and inflicted terrible cash across
the left breast OF the woman. Ne then
went across the street and telling wbite
neighbor that he had killedrhls wife. astsed
her to take care OF tho children and ra-
turned home.
"LYScn Hrai" "bYScH HIxi"
The news Of the cutting spread rapidly
and ia a short time an immense crowd oe
negroes had gathered ID Baker and Charity
NV nch him !" resounded on evsry s,de.
Officer Baker heard Of the adair aud
making all haste 10 the scene found thS
| front door of the house barricaded. but
| on demanding admittAnce IN the name of
the law it was opened. He did not sfuvs
q moment too soon, for as he eutered the
back door was broken in with crash BY
| the mob. Tue woman was sffting IN
| chair. while t~o other 1eIuen bathed her
wound. Roysters brother had his arms
around him. and another negro was keep
| ing back the crowd with the knife with
which Royster had cut his wife and swear
ing he would kiu the first man who
touched his friend.
WILLING TO 90.
| Royster expressed perfect willingness 70
| go with Onicer Baker and the latter rushed
| hrs prisoner out tor she purpose OF calling
the patrolwsgon. But there was coun-
| ter rush on the part ot the crowd. which
broke tho hold of the officer on his pris-
oner. and Rovster, seeing that 1t was case
| Of life and death. began TO knock bis as
| sailants down right and loft. The same
moment Officer Baker drew his pistol and
| at this critical Juncture Ofheer Grimm
| came to the rescue. Frenzlod as was tho
mob they recognized that the police meant
| business. Another rush wouh haNo
brought fusilade from two sx-shooterS.
consequently the surging mass wayered.
| A HAPPY sUd0EsrIos.
The cries Of Lynch him" continued,
| however, hnu ~ utElh
hack was standing near by, called 90 tho
officers to put their prisoner IN the yehscle.
TINS offer was accepted. and Royster was
put into the carriage amid shower ot
stones aud sticks aud taken to the Third
station-house. TN the way he admitted
the cutting aud said he would do II again
if he hanged for it.
THE AMBULANCE CALLED.
The ambulance was called TO Royster's
house and the woman was attended by tho
almshouse physicians. She ID not danger
ously, but is very seriously. cut. A lato
as II O'Clock q large crowd fingered abouS
the scene.
Officer Baker. when seen by DisP,rcI
reporter last night. presented the appear
auce of having taken a Turkish bath
with his clothes on. lie SAYS no docs NOS
want any more attempted lyncblng s0-
ciables on his beat until icicies are ripe,
and it is understood that Uiiicor Grifhn
seconds the motion.
All who witnessed the affair concur III
the statement that Registers ifo would
not have been worth cent had the moo
been able to get him from under the pro,
lection of the police. but 10 must DO slid
10 the credit of two or three negroes that
they did all in their power 10 assist tho
| policc.