Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04
AN UNRULY CONV Wet.
4 PRISONER IN THE STATE PENiTEN-
TiARY ATTACKS MANAGER REED.
The Young Man who 10 Employed In the
Tobacco Factory ID Bsdly Bsatens
with Piece Of Iron.

Considerable excitement was occasioned
In the State penitentiary yesterday after
noon when II became known that one OF
the convicts had attacked and almost
killed Mr.. Pleasant L. Reed. the manager
of the press-room in Messrs. Larus
Brothers tobacco-factory. within the
prison enclosure. and but for the prompt
arrival Of the guards on the scene the
perpetrator Of the assault upon Mr.. Reed
would have been summarily dealt with by
his fellow prisoners. with all Of whom
Mr.. Reed is a general favorite.
The attack was absolutely unprovoked'
and but for the interference OF Luxe
Valentine. negro convict. and several
other wearers of the stripes. IL would
have been fatal.
Mr.. Reed has charge OF the press-room
I'm the tobacco-factory, and @. w. Harris
n white convict, who was sent TO the
, penitentiary from this city July 3tn
last for DEMONSTRATING, to serve an eight
years sentence, is employed as the ma
chinist In the establishment. He was con-
sidered a very dangerous prisoner. ana
Superintendent Lynn only permitted him
10 be assigned to duty In the tobacco
factory upon the earnest solicitation OF
Mr. Reed, who said he was In need or
machinist. The prisoners who are EN-
ployed in the tobacco-factory are 1ur-
nished with all of the tobacco that they
can chew during working hours. but are
strictly enjoined against taking any OF
the weed from the factory.
WAS STEALING THE WEED.
Yesterday Mr.. Reed caught Harris con-
ceallng some plugs In a drawer, presuma-
bly, with n view to removing 1t to his cell,
and he reported him to the Assistant
Superintendent when that official made
his rounds at o'clock. Harris was called
I'D. and, notwithstanding his denials. was
ordered to be punished in the afternoon.
This incensed him, and when he went
back to his work he complained very Bit
terly. and, according TO several OF the
convicts who worked near him, swore
that he would kill Mr.. Reed before the
day was out.
About 2:30 o'clock the manager was
seated at his desk writing, when, with
out warming Harris crept UP behind him
and with a heavy piece OF iron pipe
dealt him a blow on the back OF the
head which felled him to the floor. The
irate prisoner then got on top OF him
and commenced to belabor him roundy
over the head and shoulders with the
iron. The other prisoners, who were AT
their work. were too Mortified at hrst TO
move. but Luke Valentine. one or the
lress hands, rushed to the rescue, and
With a heavy piece of iron. struck Harris
over the head This apparently mad no
effect on him. and he continued his MUIR
ierous attack. Other convicts crowded
,round and pulled Harris from his pros
to0CQ from them
lust as the guards, who were in another
mart of the room arrived on the scene,
and there was a lively chase In which
both prisoners and guards took part.
WANTED TO PUNISH HIM.
The would-be assassin was finally run
down. and it was all the guards could do
to keep the rest of the prisoners from
furnishing him. Superintendent Lynn was
Immediately informed of the occurrence.
and at once repaired to the scene. lie
had Mr. Reed, who had recovered sur
fciently TO arise from the floor, taken 10
his home. No. 1906 east Broad street, anu
ordered that Harris be severely punished.
The murderous prisoner was at once
taken TO one of the lower cells, where
corporal punishment as severe as the pri-
son rules permit was administered. Iron
were then put on him and he was In
carcerated in a dungeon, where ne VIII
remain for some time, with nothing put
bread and water on which 10 suoSist AS
soon as the Circuit Court convenes for
the December term he will be taken be-
fort that tribunal and tried on the charge
OF assault with intent to Kill. This VIII
probably result in his remaining in the
prison for a period of eighteen instead
of eight years, with no allowance OF
time for good behavior
DR.. GEORGE Ross was called In to at
tend Mr.. Reed, and found that while his
wounds were not dangerous, they were
quite serious and painful. He had
cut over his nose about an inch long,
another on top of his head about the
same length, and still another on the
back of his head about half an inch LONG.
In addition TO these cuts. the back OF
the neck was badly bruised. as was also
the head and shoulders. The young man
will probably be confined TO his room for
several days.
He is unmarried and about % years
of age. and lives with his mother. on
Hill