Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-02-17
THE MAJESTY OF THE
LAW.
TroopsProtectth the Prisoners.
Lynchers Held at Bay.
Gov. O'FeTTaHs Orders Car
Iied Out.

notice. the order being from the Govern |
or through General Anderson, and
meant the company would guard and
protect, here and elsewhere, Robinson
and White, the Prince William colored
men who were jailed here Saturday night
FIR safe keeping aud were to be tried be-
fore Judge Lipscomb at Manassas to-
day. After sleeping on their arms and
keeping within the armOry twelve hours
Captain Mushbach, with seventy men.
marched TO the Jail for the sheriff and
prisoners, and thence to the depot,
where a great crowd saw them of for
Manassas Junction, as upon an occasion
of some thirty years back.
CHAINED TO THE SHERIFF.
The prisoners were in shackles and
chained TO Sheriff LeachmaD, and were
placed where a rafting fight would en-
sue if the reported body of county caval-
rymen attempted to intercept the train.
There was no trouble, however.
They were received at Manassas with
more cheers aud smiles than ieers. The
prisoners were jailed and guarded by the
infantry with fixed bayonets.
There are about five thousand people
at Manassas.
THE MILITARY SUPPORT THE JUDICIARY.
MANASSAS, VA, Feb. She unusual
spectacle was presented in the county
- nj a ~ lildiu TCOGUtN AT TINS
place this morning of two colored men
being tried for their lives under the vir-
tual protection OF an armed company of
the State militia. More than that, the
prisoners were brought here from Alex
\ andria on the morning train under the
same military protection.
| The spectacle was one not at all pleas
ing to the citizens of the county, judging
from expressions heard here last night
and to-day, yet expressions were not
infroquently heard, which confirmed the
wisdom of Governor O'Ferrall in direct
ing the Alexandria Light Infantry TO es-
cort the prisoners from the Alexandris
Jail, where they were taken for safe keep
ing, to this place.for trial this morning
MANASSAS. VA, Feb. 13.-White's trial
commenced this morning. Mrs. Elliott's
evidence was the same az that given dur
ing Robert sons trial. The cross exami
nation was rigid. Mrs. Elliot broke
, down and wept under such questions M
were asked her by the defense, and tn,
Judge told her she need not answer.
, Mr.. Greene noted an exception TO tn,
ruling and stated that he knew of nc
, such rule.
Judge Lipscomb stated "There il
this rule here. will not allow counse
to badger and torment witnesses in th
fashion," and then to Mr.. Greene, tax
your seat and proceed with the examina
ton. Mrs. Eliot never wavered iron
her direct testimony.
I Her testimony was corroborated b'
p Mre. Helfiin and Mr. May hugh, to whom
: they first gave the alarm, stated tina
on the following day he saw finge
d marks on Mrs. Helfin's throat.
: The Common wealth rested It's case
o and after a short talk with the prisoner
:. their witnesses, statinggthat they relic
q on their bill of exceptions, and believe
the case would go to the Court of Al
q peals.
4 The case was then submitted to th
4 jury without argument, and in just thil
}. teen minutes a verdict of guilty, with Oh
Q punishmt MT fixed at death,w was rendered
y After a recess, the defense fled som
= bills of exception in the White case, an
two iu the Robinson case.
n The men were sentenced by the coui
o to be hanged March 30th next The
u were returned to Alexandria TO night b
le Deputy-Sherid Huntington, escorted
n the Alexandria Light Infantry.
- The prisoners were Ben. White AT
II Jim Robinson, who assaulted Mrs. Hefl
e and Mrs. Elliott on the night OF JanuaI
+ 18th.
THE LlNCHERS WE'RE READY.
T. 1t was believed here yesterday that 4
prisoners would be brought here la
T. evening, and when the train reached be
,f- at 6:l0 o'clock great crowd of dets
miDed-looking men surrounded it. TIL,
purpose was plainly evident, but I
men were not on the train, and the
appointment of the crowd was We
marked. 1t soon became known tn
the prisoners would not be brought
or until this morniDg, and that they woU
al. be brought up under strong militia
s. escort, Sheriff Leachman having reque
ny ed such an escort of the Governor
ut cause OF his belief that the men would
he lynched unless they wereiso protected.
'ly The two colored men We're guarded
ge- Company +, of Alexandria, under CO
mand of Captain George A. Mushback.
Immediately upon the arrival of I
train, the prisoners were conveyed to
iail to await the assembling OF CO,
which convened at IL O'Clock, JuC
William +. Iipscomb presiding.
1t was determined to try Jim Rob
8, son first. The court assigned Messrs.
X. w. Sinclair and X. E. Thornton as
OF counsel. The prisoner was brought il
;;a1 court.
D4. THE COURT INSISTS UPON A SPEEDY TRf
I'M, Counsel for the defendant demurred
val the Indictment. Demurrer was on
ruled. The counsel for the prison
then moved to Quash the venire fac
This motion was also denied.
Mrs. Hefiu, the Lady upon whom
alleged outrage was committed gay
the clear and concise statement of how
tn prisoner, in company with Ben VIII
The came to her house at midnight, In
no. absence of her father and brother,
as claimed to be friends, and begged Il
ing shown the way to Mr.. Connor's. WI
they said they were going to work
ICE next day.
nan -
en- HOW THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED.
rNa In this way they managed to get
ladies' &c. open the door. As Eoou
- the door was unlocked, both rusbe
s with pistols in hand and demanded II
anA ey. On being told by the women
iss they ne d no money they seized and
i1u saulted them. The next witness
Mrs. Elliott, who cOrrobOrated
In statement given by Mrs. Hefiin.
% third witness was Joseph Mayhugh.
oe's testified that he was the nearest pc
.sely Dor of the ladies, and that they cam
icy his house between l and 2 O'Clock in
am night in "a ha;f-clad and terriblyEexc
NUS lcondition and told the piteous tai
Thow they had been dealt with.
~ All the witnesses for the prosecu
we're put through a most rigid cross
animation