Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-16
QUIET AT MARLBORO
Jim Allen Rests in His Cell Pro-
tected by Citizens.
THE JAIL DEFENSELESS In DAYTIME
Cost Of the Extra Guard Denounced
by Some.
AWAITING TODAY'S HEARING

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
UPPER MARLBORO, Nd, Feb lG. 1894.
There is absolutely no truth in the report
printed in dispatches from here that knots
of excited men have been standing about
the jail and that a leader was all that was
necessary to take from Jail the negro Jim
Allen, who is charged with having commit
ted felonious assault on Cora Simpson. the
twelve-year-old child Of Thomas Simpson of
Woodmore. The residents of the town have
denounced the crime as brutal and as one
which in their opinion calls for speedy ac-
ton, whether at the hands of the law o. a
mob.
Many taxpayers of the county are loud in
their denunciation of the action of the au-
thorities in putting on an extra force Of
guards to protect the prisoner during the
first night of his Incarceration in iail and
the reasons therefor We're not all apparent
until after the men went on duty. Some Of
the guards went to the jail early I'm the
evening, while others did not go until late
hour The men remained inside the prison
most OF the time, and one of them declared
that a quart bottle of whisky was the ONLY
thing In the nature of liquid refreshments
to be found in the building although the
noise made at late hour indicated that
there had not been an equal distribution of
the fire water"
In addition to the loud talking and shout
ing inside, several pistol shots were fired
outside. and ii is stated that the firing was
done by some of the men who had been
sworn in to protect and defend the county
prison and the negro charged with the
dastardly crime.
1t was stated by man in authority that
II the lynchers appeared they would have
little trouble to get the prisoner, as they
would be met with but little resistance.
Pistol Shots Heard.
of pistol shots and shot guns were heard
on the outskirts of the town and The
Stars correspondent was Informed that
the residents were emptying their weapons
i'm order to get them ready to use in case
, of emergency. for he said they may have
an opportunity to shoot at the form of
the negro dangling in the air from the
large elm tree near the Jail or from the
iron beams Of the bridge where Vermillion
! suffered death for burning barns
During the day the Jail is often without
| guard and the prisoners are left alone.
only, of course. they are confined in sepa-
rate cells.
During Wednesday night and yesterday
the prisoner professed that he was not
| frightene ed and so stated to the guards,
although he spent a large share of his
| time on his knees praying. Some of the
other prisoners Were perhaps more badly
| brighten ed than Alien.
Persons coming in from the outlying
districts yesterday did not fail TO ask;
did they get him?" and the response was
followed with a look of disgust and re-
mark questioning the bravery OF the clti-
| zens. Some few. and they were far be-
| tween. expressed a desire to See the law
| take its course.
The Guard vigflant Last Night.
The novelty had worn off the duties OF
those who had been summoned to guard the
prisoners and last night they went to tbs
| Jail appa -ently more in earnest thar the!
| did Wednesday night. Some Of those who
had made an objection to being called npor
were not ready last night, but Were willing
| to serve. Some of them were on hand he
| fore the time for the chickens 10 go &
| roost. and soon after shutdown the member:
| of the squad were all inside the Jail build
! ing out of the cold wind, TO- in there tbs
| warden had a hot fire, and some of the ne.
| were soon asleep for they had not had any
| rest the night before II was supposed TIA
each man was armed with a weapon Of
some kind, and the kinds were rather
| numerous.
| All sorts of old revolvers. shot guns aid
muskets that had been kept over from th'
| war were brought into requisition, and
! thus the prisoner had apparent reason e
| feel a degree of security not felt by an,
| person outside of a government arsenal OF
| fort. And he did feel so If outward appear
| ances count for anything. for he made us,
of the remark, They can't hang me-
| This he repeated a number of times. and
| although he realized his danger of con-ic
/ ton. he protested his innocence, and at n,
| same time seemed TO feel reasonably certain
| that the Baltimore penitentiary awaiTc,
| him.
| There was not the usual number Of .ner
| about the hotels and stores last night, ow
4 ing to the fact that so many of them wer
| on duty at the jail, and those who were 10
doing duty remained at home out OF tn
| cold. Then. too. they felt certain that moth
| wOnld tai To rh.f
| really not expected until after the hea ring
The perfect condition of the Jail fenc
| early this morning made IL apparent tina
| the jailor's charge was still safe. \ brigh
light was to be seen through the window a
! the warden's office, where the special guard
| were asleep, and owing to the severity D
| the weather il was late in the morning be
| fore there were many persons on the street