The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-17

mayor 1rOuG yesterday conducted the
investigation Of the charges that had
been preferred against the first SER
geant of police, A. H. Griffin, for conduct
unbecominG an officer and for failing to
take proper care Of Thomas Smith, the
negro prisoner, who was lynched on
the night OF September 90. After
hearing the evidence and the argument
by counsel, the mayor announced that
he would give his decision Monday
morning at 10 o'clock.
The investigation was held in tho
mayors office, beginning at 1I:15
o'clock. The city was represented by
City Solicitor w. A. Glasgow and Roy b.
Smith and Col. John e. Penn and j. E.
Yonge appeared for Sergeant Griffin.
The first witness introduced was Po-
lice Officer w. G Aiken, who, on being
sworn, testified that the first time that
he saw Thomas Smith was few min
utes after o'clock in charge Of Gordon,
a prisoner. Mr.. Griffin and Mr.. Austin
went with Gordon and the witness in
charge of the negro to Reeds shop,
where they concealed the prisoner under
pile OF lumber. Mr.. Griffin and Mr..
Austin left witness and Gordon there
with instructions to remain there. The
negro kept talking ana was cond ucted
by Gordon and the witness 10 the bank
OF the river, where they remained until
3 O'Clock next morning. After 9 o'clock
Gordon came back to town.
Witness next saw Gordon at o'clock
when he and Officer Austin came and
said he had orders that it was best to
bring the negro back to Jail. Witness,
Gordon and the prisoner then started
back towards town, coming back down
Franklin road. They met Sergeant
Griffin near Roanoke street, who turned
back with the party.
at the corner o: Roanoke street they
stopped and Griffin and Gordon held a
conversation. Griffin asked Gordon to
take the prisoner in IS he brought him
out, but Gordon declined to do IT, The
prisoner WAS taken from the officers
about half way between Commerce and
Roanoke streets. Tho negro saw the
men first. There twere ten or twelve
men Or possibly moro in the party.
The negro ran fifteen or twenty Yards
up Franklin road and the mob caught
him. Some of them fell out on him
and others covered the officers with
guns. One Of the mob remarked to Mr..
Gritiin, "There have enough good men
died over this negro and we would ad-
wise you to take walk" and the
officers took it. Witness saw Walter
Boone after that time in front Of Wool
wines establishment coming down
Campbell street.
Aiken Cross. examined
On cross examination Mr.. Aiken said
he had been on the force eighteen
months, and Griffin was on the force
when he came on and his reputation as
an officer had been good. Whatever
the situation on the river was Mr..
Griffin did not know it. He did not see
any misc onduct on the part of Mr.. Grit
I'm. he didn't see any one touch the
negro, but he heard him hollow "Mur-
der" He thought that Mr.. Austin sug-
gested that the party be followed to see
who were in the party and what became
of the negro. The men who held up the
officers were either BACKED or wore
masks.
Police Officer j. T. Austin was the
next witness. He stated that he went
with Griffin, Gordon, Aiken and the
negro to Reeds carriage shop. Witness
and Gordon went to the river aftor the
negro. They left Griffin near the corner
of Franklin road and Commerce street.
Mr. Griffin told the witness to go after
the prisoner, as he had orders to bring
him back to Jail. Griffin said he was
tired, but he would meet the party on
Franklin road.
City Sergeant j. Il. Traynham stated
that the negro was withdrawn from the
jail after o'clock. He was sent out in
charge OF Gordon. who was armed.
Gordon came came back about O'Clock
and said he left the prisoner in charge
Officer Aiken. He sent Robert Trayn-
ham money to bring conveyance to
take the prisoner away from town Be.
lore this could be done Griffin came and
said they had decided to brick the
negro back; that all the roads we're
guarded and he could not be taken out.
Mr.. Traynham then told Gordon TO
show Mr.. Griffin where the prisoner was
located.
Mr.. Traynham told Sergeant Griffin
that he would not take the prisoner
back In jail without legal, committal,
for the reason that he could not pos
sibly be protected after the militia and
police were gone without leopard izing
the lives OF the other prisoners. Griffin
said it was impossible to get the pris-
oner out OF town.
Robt L TraYnham testified that he
saw Gordon return tc the Jail before IL
o'clock, and that he was waiting for ].
Il. Traynham. The latter gave the
witness money and a revolver, and told
him to take the prisoner to Danville or
Lynchburg or anywhere they could
get him. The witness and Gordon had
started and got as far as the courthouse
when they mot Griffin, who stopped
them, and said the prisoner could not
be taken from the city. j. b. Trayn.
ham then told him not to 60 Gordon
left wi th Griffin ho -
river.
IacL Walthall a1a1na 49,. l.