The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-03
LYNCH GANG ON TRIAL.
STORY or THE CHINCOTEAGUE
ISLAND SANCTIFIED BAND.
a Picture of Dspravity Never Witnessed In
This Statv-Thir:esn Witnesses TX
smIned In tho Case.

ACCOMACK c. H., VA, Nov. 2.-Spe-
cial.-When the County Court met this
morning the cases liked for trial to-day
against Joseph y. Lynch. William ).
Chandler, John T.. Collins, and Sarah r..
Collins. wife of John E., leaders In the
Sanctiiied Band. or Chincoteague Island
Va. were called up. The hrst indlct-
ment charging nuisance, in that on the
18th OF September, 1884, and thence con-
tnually until the day Of the hndlng OF
TINS indictment, on Chincoteague Island,
these persons unlawfuliy ana corruptIy
persuaded and inuuced by their teaching
and practices married persons 10 separate
without lawful cause and live improper
lives, stirring up striies and controversies
among the people TO the common nuisance
of all the people, was first gone into, and
the defendants were represented by Thos.
W. Russelle, of Accomack, and Edgar j.
Spady, of Northampton county.
Mr.. Spady moved the court TO quash
the indictment upon the ground that II
charged no offence known 10 the common
or statute law.
This argument was briefly met by Mr..
James HI. Fletcher, Jr, Attorney tor the
Commonwealth, but successfully, as the
court overrued Mr.. Spaqys motion, stat
ing the charges set out in the Indictment
dld constitute, II proved, a nuisance. the
defendants then pleaded not guilty. and
the jury was sworn TO try that issue,
and after an interesting statement by the
counsel thirteen witnesses were at once
sworn for the prosecution. and a court
house filled with people listened 10 the
details OF the sanCtihed movement with
GREATNESS interest.
ISAAC s,yAGr's TESTIMONY.
Isaac J. Savage, once a member OF the
band, was the nrst and principal witness
Tor the prosecution. He testified that he
left the organization when Lynch pro-
claimed ana taught that ii was the DUTY
OF each male member TO select a fellow
Waterman, other than his own wife. and
the two should study the Scriptures to-
. no
Up to this time he had love and great
admiration TOR Lynch. but concluded
then ne was crank, and his teachings,
II followed, would result in anything but
making those who embraced them pure
and holy, and he left them. that Lynch
taught none should live together as man
ard vile who were not of the sanCtthed,
the same was right in order that they
might raise up a holy nation. Lynch.
Chandler and Collins were originally
Delawarens and. who are all married
have selected other mems wives as their
fellow watchers. that Lynchs doctrines
mad acted in the community OF ChinCO-
league Island TO the great damage Of the
morals and all the good interests OF the
people, breaking up homes. causing nus
bands and wives to separate, and causing
strife in many ways, and also depre-
Ciated the value Of the lands of the Is
land; that he (SaVageD was turned out of
church because he refused point blank
to select as fellow Waterman IL woman
who was not his wife.
SAD P.CrURE.
While the crowd could not be kept from
laughing heartily during Sdyages eNami-
nation. what he told was a sad picture
10 look upon, for II protested 10 have as
| background the doctrines OF God.
James Bishop, the second witness ior
| the prosecution, was on the stand for
some time, but his testimony, in a nut
shell, was that his wife who is mem
Der Of the Sanctihed Church. refused q
| live with him. as he was not member
Of the Sanctihed band
AMANDA nulsOn, the ninth witness
said that neither he nor wife were mem
bers OF the Sanctifed Church; that de-
PENDANT told him that he was not mar.
| ried man, though he had been married by
men Tor many years, mat the doctrines
taught by Lynch had made his own
children turn against him, and would
not now own him as their father or their
! mother, his wife. as their mother This
state Of things I'm his family was wholly
due to the Sanctihed doctrines being
taught on Chincoteague Island.
James Pitts, the tenth witness, said
that the sO-callal religion had caused
strife In many families, that It's effect
was wholly bad. other witnesses testified
in the same strain.
The examination of witnesses will be
resumed tomorrow.