Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-16
UNDER HEAVY GUARD
Thornton Parker Tried, Convicted, and
Sentenced
TO BE HANGED APRIL 10th.
The Verdict Meets with Approval
ON All Sides, Even the Negroes be-
ing Less Ugly Than Heretofore
Mrs. Melton's Testimony.

WINCHESTER, VA, March i5.-Thorn-
ton Parker. the negro who made an at
tempt 10 commit a criminal assault on
Mrs. Melton. Of aear Middletown, on the
9Th instant. was tried here to-day, con-
yicted, and sentenced TO be hanged on
Friday. April 18th. between the hours Oh
5 A. NJ. and 3 =. NJ, the trial lasting
about four hours. and the jury rendering
Its verdict In about forty minutes.
The Commonwealth opened the case this
morning by placing Mrs. Melton on the
stand. She Is modest young lsdy. ageu
about 10 years, and told in detail OF the
attempt. The negro. on that evening"
came to her house about $50 o'clock,
wearing a masked cap. and while her
back was turned caught her over ooth
arms. keeping behind her all the time
He threw her down and held her for about
ten to fifteen minutes While in this posi-
ton she pulled the mask from MS lace
and recognized her assaiant
Finding that he had been recognized
Parker ran into the yard to adjust his
mask. and Mrs. Melton closed and boiteu
the door. The negro tried TO break DOWN
the door. and threatened to Kill her II
she did not open the door. He then en-
tered through a window. Mrs. Melton
seized her baby and ran from the house
and by her screams scared the negro
away.
THREATS or LYNCHING.
While Mrs. Melton was giving in her
evidence many murmurs were heard from
the crowd. and when she was asked by
Commonwealth's Attorney BYRD II
she could positively identity the
prisoner and she replied in the aflirma-
tive, many whispers were heard TO lynch
him.
The defence, which was represented by
Colonel l.. T. Moore. tried TO prove an
alibi, but the witnesses were In every IN
stance bafiied by the Commonwealth. Ihe
prisoner was placed on the stahd' anu
told rambling and disconnected story
as TO his whereabouts on the day mat
the attempt was made claiming he was
in the field looking for grounding dens
The prisoner was brought into court
under a heavy guard, and the court was
under guard during the day. The Verdlct
meets with approval on all sides even the
negroes being In better humor than last
night.
Tcicrrnms Received ny the Governor
Governor O'Ferral received yesterday
morning the following telegram from
Colonel Baker. commander OF the Sc
cond Regiment. 1t was dated at Winches-
ter Thursday night:
Reached here at L. NJ, with l22 guns,
and paraded the streets. Negro for at
tempted outrage has trial tomorrow. out
bursts feared collision between negroes
and whites Negroes have been parading
the streets for several nights armed with
guns and clubs. threatening TO deliver
prisoners from Jail or burn the town.
Excitement has been intense between
whites and negroes. both crowds being
armed, and awaiting for signal for up
ssing Streets were thronged with peo-
pie. Military jeered and cheered as j
paraded town. All is quiet since arrival
Of military. and force Is sufficient 10
prevent disturbance Loos for no further
trouble tonight. Am str.s following
law"
Last night the Governor received an
other telegram from Colonel Baker,
stating that all was quiet, the trial was
over. and that two companies had been
sent home. the third being retained at the
request of the Sheriff.