Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-11-22
attempted Robbery by stanton Negro


HE IS BROUGHT FROM CHARLOTTEsvILLE
TO THE STANTON JAIL FOE SAFETY
is TRIED AND SENTENCED TO TWENTY
YEARS IN THE PENITENTIARY.
The country around Charlottesville was
secured by two hundred armed men Thurs
day, in search of a gingerbread colored
negro tramp, aged twenty-three. stout and
wearing light colored derby hat. He had
gone to the home of Mrs. Lillian B. Railey
Wednesday, and asked for food, which was
given him. Thursday morning he return
ed and was robbing the bureau when, being
discovered, be beat Mrs. r. badly over the
head. Her screams, which attracted her
uncle living near, saved her from being
murdered.
On Friday, a negro named Daniel Lee,
hailing from Iowa, and who claims to
have sister living in Stanton in
the alley running from New to
Market streets, was seen at Way
nesboro, and Postmaster Robt. T.. Wright
recognizing him by the description pub
lished, Informed Sergeant Marsh OF Way
nesboro, who arrested him. Sheriff L. q.
Watts Of Albemarle, came over and took
Lee to Charlottesville. Postmaster Wright
and MI. Geo. s. MCGEE accompanying him.
On arriving at Charlottesville, Lee was put
IN company with the two other negro men
and taken before Mrs. Railey who picked
Lee out from the three as her assailant.
He was committed to Jail.
A merchant of Charlottesville identified
Lee as Charlottesville negro who went out
to Iowa about eight years ago. Lee claim
ed to have left Staunton on Thursday, the
day Of the attempted robbery. after having
spent two weeks corn shocking near
Alton. He said he was soldier in the U.
S. Army and was on his way back to his
command. When arrested his clothes
were muddy and he presented the appear
ance of having been on the road all night.
Lees manner after arrest and identifica-
ton was very Indifferent, and he did not
seem to to appreciate the gravity of the
charge against him.
Two or three other colored men who
answered very nearly to the description
have been arrested in Albemarle.
On Saturday evening, Lee was sent by
Magistrate Terrell to the Staunton jail
for safety, in custody of Sheriff
l.. C. Watts of Albemarle and
Deputy Sheriff Lee. This was
done with the approval of the county judge
and Commonwealth s Attorney Woods, the
latter of whom had been most active in re-
pressing and ayerting any violence by the
people. Directly the crime was known he
issued circular informing the people that
the criminal was known; that the law
would he carried out, and that there must
be no VIOLENCE. The fact, however, that
the husband Of the lady had attempted to
shoot Lee after his arrest; that similar
attempt had been made by one of the men
who had been hunting for him, and that
there was reliable information about a
lynching party being formed had created SO
MUCH excitement that it was deemed best
to send the prisoner to Staunton.
A special grand jury was summoned on
Monday morning which found true bills
against Lee for HOUSEKEEPING in the day
with intent to commit larceny. and for
malicious wounding with intent to kill.
Lee was placed on trial on Tuesday, being
taken to Charlottesville for that purpose.
Among the witnesses summoned from
Staunton were Officer Fretwell for the
prosecution, and Ellen Lee Lees sisterl
and Nicholas Gregory for the defense.
At the trial on Tuesday, next to Mrs.
Railey, the most important witness was
Officer Fretwell of Staunton, who testified
that Lee had confessed to him the attempt
robbery, and told him that he escaped 10y
walking to Mediums River and boarding
a freight train on which he got to Way
nesborO.
The jury convicted Lee on the two in-
dictments giving him ten years on each,
OF twenty years in all. He was sent down
to the penitentiary that afternoon.
HIoLn l..