Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-09
N EARLY A LYNCHlNG
White and Robinson Might Have Been
Unguarded
The Militia Did Not Leave Manassas
When They Expected and Saved
the Prisoners.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


Heffiin, came within an ace of being real
disabled locomotive the souls of the two
men would surely have spent the night and
the hereafter in another world
When the court resumed it's session in
the afternoon it became known that no de-
Iense whatever would be attempted, but
counsel agreed that each side should make
minute address to the jury. 1t was
further agreed that no Interruptions should
occur during the talks.
Thereupon Mr. Campbell, the senior coun-
sci for White, arose and stated that no
reasonable person could expect an acQuit-
TAI, ana he admitted that the crime per-
petrated was very dark one. White, he
claimed, was led astray by Robinson, and,
being but twenty years of age. the jury
should return verdict that would allow
the court to sentence him to twenty years
In the penitentiary. instead of death. Mr..
Campbell gave it as his opinion that such
a result would receive the Endorsement of
the citizens of the county.
Whatever you do. let 1t not be from
savage JOY" said Mr. Campbell, in conclu-
sion. When your life is drawing to a
close it will bring you happiness to remem-
Der that once you showed mercy to a poor
misguided boy
Il wish 1 had an electric battery attach
ed to my tongue, in order to properly ex-
press my feelings in regard to this case"
said Commonwealth Attorney Jeffries, in
opening for the prosecution. This is the
first time rape has been committed in this
county. and it ought to be put down for
ever with firm hand Mercy has no place
In the matter"
At this point Mr. Campbell, in direct
violation of the agreement, addressed the
court and objected to the last statement
made by Mr.. Jeffries, and thereupon began
one of the most exciting vocal sparring
bouts that occurred during the trial.
The Courts Sharp Reminder.
When it had progressed for several min
utes Judge Lipscomb said: when YOU
gentlemen get through endeavoring to
teach each other law 1 will ask the COM
monwealth's attorney to proceed
This had temporary soothing effect.
I'm the words of Patrick Henry" con-
tinued Mr.. Jeffries II say give this pris-
oner liberty or give him death. The sane
tity of your own homes depends upon your
verdict
Times up interrupted Mr. Green, when
the speaker had consumed but seven of the
ten minutes allotted to him. Again pande-
monium broke loose. Every person in the
crowded room who owned timepiece
brought it forth. Every variety of the
article from the modest Waterbury to the
finest chronometer. was placed in evidence.
We've three minutes left" was shouted
by what sounded like fully half the spec
tatOrs present.
You've talked minute over time" came
back from the other side.
'As usual. we will do whatever you say"
remarked the commonwealth attorney
I'm through
After Mr.. Campbell had asked the court
to instruct the jury that the prisoners
previous good character should be taken
into consideration the jury. at 3:O7 o'clock,
retired. No one in the audience left his
seat, for a verdict was expected forthwith.
The twelve men consumed seventeen min
utes in writing their unanimous opinion,
and then filed back to their seats in the
box.
Gentlemen of the jury. have you agreed
upon a verdict?' asked the clerk.
At this question White, for the first time,
looked up and scanned the faces Of the
jurors. and Judge Lipscomb cautioned the
crowd to make no demonstration at the
answer.
I'VE have" came the reply. I'VE find
the prisoner Ben White guilty indicted,
and his sentence shall be death"
A slight tremor PASSED over the prisoner,
but he instantly resumed his morbid APP
pearance. After the usual motions White
was removed to the Jail. the guard with
drawn. and the Alexandria Light Infantry
marched to the hotel. Judge Lipscomb,
thinking that the death sentence had re-
moved all danger from mob violence de-
cided to confine both White and Robinson
in the Manassas jail and therefore Capt.
Mushbach was granted permission to re-
as he desired. White was to have been
sentenced this morning
The town assumed it's usual quiet aspect
and special train to transport the militia
was ordered to leave Manassas at o'clock
At that hour the soldiers were aboard the
cars awaiting the arrival of engine No. S02
from Charlottesville. But No. 800 had a
broken driving rod, and. therefore, was
ten minutes late.
Preparing for a Lynching.
In the meantime, however. affairs were
not as serene as they appeared on the sur
face Preparations for a lynching on a
magnificent scale had been carried for
ward with dispatch all the afternoon. The
Star reporter was permitted to see the pre-
pared rope, and he also the five lead
ers of the affair in conversation. The ar
rangement was that Immediately upon the
departure of the militia the mob should
rendezvous and proceed to the jail and
there go forward with the ceremony.
But, it is said. few minutes after 6
O'Clock Judge Lipscomb received a tele-
gram from the sheriff of Fauquier county
informing him that forty-five armed men
were on their way to Manassas. He was also
told of the local preparations. Thereupon
the judge hurried to Capt. Mushbach and
held short conversation with that officer
A moment later First Lieut.. Munroe and
a platoon of the Light Infantry. with fixed
bayonets and loaded rifles. moved at double
time toward the Jail. The judge arrived
there in advance.
White and Robinson were taken to the
court house, and without delay the former
was sentenced to be hanged on Friday
a.
and IL am. 1t was almost dark, and no
spectators We're present. The condemned
man displayed not the slightest emotion
as sentence was pronounced.
Another significant fact was that dur
ing the afternoon Sheriff Leachman went
driving into the country, and up to this
time had not returned, SO 1t became neceS-
sary to commission First Sergt. Marbury
a deputy sheriff to take charge of the pris-
OnerS
Departure for Alexandria.
Then the little party moved back to the
station and left for Alexandria the Z
o'clock train, the special having arrived
and departed in the meantime. large
crowd was on hand to witness the depar-
ture. White remarked to Sergt. Marbury
that If he was not taken to Alexandria
there would not be piece of him as large
as a 5-cent piece left in the morning.
Later 1t was learned that party of
negroes was also organizing for the purpose
OF releasing the condemned men. Since
the Jail was completed in December last
three such deliveries have been made IN
each case the parties being colored. Had
the blacks ana whites met there Is no
doubt but that bloody fight would have
resulted.
Without incident tine trip to Alexandria
was made the prisoners taken safely to
the Jail and the soldiers marched to their
armory amid cheers from the crowds on
the sidewalks.
1t is hardly probable that any further
action will be taken in the case. Six points