Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-09-22
THE ROANOKE TRAGEDY.

of the negro Tom Smith there yester-
day morning was published in yester-
days GAZETTE. The city was shroud-
ed in gloom yesterday over the terrible
tragedy by which eight people lost
their lives and large number wound
ed, fully forty. 1t is little singular
that of all the killed and wounded not
one of them participated in any ofthe
attacks upon the Jail. Nearly every
one was shot in front of the building
where no attack was made.
The city was quiet last night, and
there is now no prospect of further
trouble growing out of the tragic occur
rences. The wrath of the populate
over the loss of life from the fire of the
militia was in a measure appeased by
the lynching and cremation of Smith,
whose crime provoked the exhibitor
of mob feeling that was attended by
such direful consequences. Smiths
sister, a girl of fifteen, viewed the aw-
full sight of his body being burned. The
coroner's investigation is in progress,
and though groups of excited men have
been assembled in public places there
is general disposition to refrain from
violent measures, at least until the re-
sponsibility for the shedding OF the
blood has been fixed by the coroner's
jury.
Early yesterday morning Acting
Mayor Buckner issued q printed ad-
dress calling on all good citizens to de-
sist from congregating on the streets
and asking for the support of the peo-
pie in his efforts to maintain law and
order. This had a good effect.
Later in the day there was meeting
of the Masons and another address was
issued to the people. The Grand Lodge
of colored odd Fellows, in session in
the CITY, also adopted resolutions of
sympathy for the city and calling upon
all good citizens to respect the law.
Meetings of railroad and shopmen were
held, at which addresses were made by
General Manager Sands, of the Norfolk
and Western Railroad, and other prom
ineut citizens.
The most conciliatory feeling pre-
vailed at these meetings, and the efforts
of few of the most determined of the
mob leaders and indignant citizens to
get up an indignation meeting, of which
there was much talk on the streets,
failed
Late in the afternoon q meeting Of
leading citizens was held. Acting May
or Buckner, acting upon the advice OF
those present, decided to suspend City
Sergeant Trainhow, Chief of Police
Terry and Special Officer McMorris,
against whom there is great indigna-
ton. Mayor Trout was also suspend
ed. Another address, signed by
prominent citizens, was issued late in
the afternoon, setting forth these facts.
This seemed the most satisfactory to
the people and served to allay the ex-
element
Mayor Trout, who disappeared after
the riot, arrived at 1890 o'clock last
night. He is suffering with painful
wound in the foot and refused to be in
terviewed. Mayor Trout was first car
red to the Ponce de Leon Hotel, but,
owing to the threats Of the mob, he
was removed from there by his friends
to the country, but later left for Lynch
burg. Shortly after his departure a
crowd went to the Ponce de Leon Ho-
tel, demanding the Mayor. They were
8 ,sured by the clerk that Mr.. Trout
was not there, but were not satisfied
until some of their leaders had made a
thorough search of the premises. Not
finding him the crowd went to the May
or's residence, on west Campbell avenue,
where thorough, but fruitless search
was made for him. Capt. John Bird,
of the Light Infantry, who gave the or
der to fire, has disappeared. He has
not been seen since his company left
the Jail Just after the riot Wednesday
night. None of the soldiers Of the
company were seer yesterday, and
their whereabouts are unknown. 1t is
known that Capt. Bird has left the
State, and it is freely asserted ON the
streets that he will never return.
While public sentiment is divided,
the majority Of the people think that
the officers of the law, by the exercise
of prudence, might have averted blood
shed. However, there are many who
uphold the course of the Mayor and
the militia, and contend that their only
alternative was to shoot or surrender
the prisoner.
Who gave the order to fire no one
knows. Some swear they heard Mayor
Trout give it, others Lieutenant Cole,
others Sergeant Trainhow, and still
others Chief of Police Terry. If Mayor
Trout or Captain Bird gave any COM
mand to shoot it was given privately.
The investigation yesterday revealed
many facts that could not be obtained
Wednesday night. 1t is now clearly
established that the most determined
part of the mob approached the Jail
through an alley in the rear. The first
attack was an attempt to batter down
side door opening to stairway that
leads to the cells occupied by State
prisoners, and where Smith was COM
fined.
The officers claim that the men were
repeatedly warned that they must not
approach the Jail. The mob, they say,
was assured that the rifles were loaded
with lead, but the frantic people only
ieered at this, and said that the soldiers
dare not shoot.
1t is said that a volley was fired
through an open window over Capt.
Birds head as he was urging the men
to stand back, and that it was when
this was done and the door attacked
that the order to fire was given. The
first fire by the militia was from squad
Of men in the iail. and was aimed at the