Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-11-06
THE sANCTIFIED BAND.


The county courthouse of Accomac
was filled again yesterday with crowd
of people eager to see and hear the
final proceedings in the trial of the
Sanctiiied Band of Chincoteague Island.
This was the third day of the trial.
Five new Witnesses were examined for
the defense, but no new facts were de.
veloped. 1t was he same dreary and
disgusting old story of the two and two
doctrine of these cranky sanctiication-
lists They had all married contrary to
Gods law, and when they became sane
tilted they discovered that they could
not study and understand the Scrip
lures with their wives. Husbands and
wives agreed To put each other away,
and be guided by the spirit to select
fellow workers with whom they could
study the Scriptures with more under
standing and pleasure. This is the
famous two and two doctrine of Lynch
and his followers. When all the wit
nesses for the defense had been heard,
Commonwealth Attorney Fletcher in
trodueed several witnesses in rebuttal,
and succeeded in bringing out some
damaging facts against the saints. The
court then took a recess for dinner.
When the court reaSsembled Mr.
Fletcher opened the case for the COM
monwealth in a short but vigorous
speech. Mr.. Edgar j. Spady, common
wealth's attorney for Northampton
county, made powerful plea for the
defeuse. Mr.. Fletcher closed the
argument for the prosecution in a strong
and telling speech, in which he hand
led the Sanctifcationists with ungloved
hands. He made powerful appeal to
the Jury to stamp out this pestilerous
gang, this colony Of Delaware cranks
and imposters, whose teachings tend
to undermine the structure of society
and destroy the foundations aud the
sanctity OF the home.
The case was given to the jury at
five o'clock yesterday evening. The
Jury retired, and, after being out about
one hour, returned verdict declaring
Joseph B. Lynch, William j. Chandler
and Sarah f. Collins guilty IS charged
in the Indictment, and fixed their
penalties rs follows: Joseph b. Lynch,
eight months in the county jail and
$3.50 fac; William J. Chandler, six
mouths in the county Jail and $50 fine;
Sarah. e. Collins, four months i'll jail
and $50 iGe. John Collins, the ether
defendant, was acquitted, the jury be-
ing of the opinion That he was weak
minded and not responsible for the acts
of the band.
When the verdict was read it WAS re-
ceived with stolid indifference by Lynch,
Chandler and Sarah Collins. John
Collins put his arm around his convict
ed wife and wept. She has been
Lynch's fellow worker, and is deacon
ess of the band. Mr.. Spady, counsel
Tor the defense, moved to set the yer
dict aside as being contrary to the la@
and the vidence. Judge Gillet prompt
Is oye.ruled the motion, and Mr..
Spady gave notice that he would file
bill OF exceptions to the order Of The
court overruling his motion to quash
the Indictment.
Lynch and Chandler were, in default
of bail, committed 10 Jail, and Sarah
Collins was recognized in a bond Of
5000 to appear in court this morning.
Lynch's wife, whom he has put away,
and several other women, accompanied
MIN to jail, and expressed their great
joy at the opportunity now offered tho
saint Of suffering martyrdom for their
faith. Lynch was heard to say as he
entered his cell that he gloried in be-
ing able to serve the Lord in dun
geon.
The verdict meets with universal approval
at Tasley and it is hoped that the conviction
of the ringleadcrs of the band will have the
effect of crushing the doctrines OF these Della
ware immigrants, who have so long disturbed
the peace of Chincoteauge Island and brought
undcserved reproach on that section of the
State.
About fifty members of the band have been
attending the trial as witnesses and specta-
tors. They have been camping about mile
from the Accomac court house on Folly creek
where they have their boats and supplies. Ye:-
terday they held religious exercises, which
were witnessed by hundreds of people from
the surrounding country. They sang prayed
and shouted, aud wound up by going around
and saluting one another with rousing hug
and holy kiss. There were many women
among them, and not few babies. Yes
terday the members Of the band were much
detected at the result of the trial.