The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-13
REPULSED A MOB OF FORTY
Who Attacked the Clerks Office Where
q Prisoner Was Held.
WEATHER HOLTz THE WIFE MURDERER
Tho Sheriff and Three Guards Protect Hin
Ia AN Iron Clad Room-A Few shots
Denorsiixe Would-Be Lynchcrs.
Ihe Can for Troops.

Governor q Eerrdii received tclcbiah
late yesterday afternoon from Captain
J. W. Magruder, OF Woodstock. Va,
commander OK Company \, Second Regi-
ment Infantry. stating that his company
had been called out Friday night 10
protect Elmer Weatheholtz from
mob that attempted TO lynch him AT
the request OF Sheriff Wichtman, the
military also remained on guard over
the prisoner last night. Tne following
special to The Times from Woodstock
last night, explains the situation'
THE STORY.
WOODSTOCK. VA. Dec. IA mob
Of about forty men attempted to
lynch Elmer Wcatherholtz AZ o'clock
tins morning. They entered tho jail
without opposition. but found that Wea-
therholtz has been removed. Sheriff
Wishtman. on account OF the extreme
illness OF one OF the jailors children.
and the anticipated action OF the mob.
about II o'clock last night. removed
Wcatherholtz 10 the county clerks oihce.
ATTACKED THE BUILDING.
This IS an excellent dre-proof building.
with windows and doors protected by
steel blinds The Sheriff had three
guards with him. About 1 O'Clock. the
mob attacked the clerks Office at the
Court-street door. broke OF the lock
with an axe. cut through the steel blind.
but bent the blind SO that thoy could
not raise IL. \ few shots from the tran
son over tho door by Guard Hoshour, de-
moraiized the mob and they At once beat
a hasty retreat. The Anderson Guards
were called out by the Sheriff. and Cap
tain Magruder responded with about
twenty men, The long roll at A. III.
reminded old soldiers of the scenes OF
other days.
THE MURDERER'S CRIME
II Will be remembered that Weather
holtz was tried for the murder OF MS
wife. found guilty Of murder in the sec
ond degree. and punishment asceftAlnei
bv the Jury at eighteen years In the peni-
tonf,arv This verdict was set aside by
Judee Newman, upon his own motion,
unon the grounds that there was no evil
donco upon which a verdict or murder
IN tho second degree could Doe based, as
The murder was committed by lying III
wait.
A nolle prosequi was afterwards nled
and the prisoner removed 20 fredeiie@
county-ial % await his trial upon the
CHARGE Of making an assault upon MS
mothor-ln-Iaw with intent TO Kill.
His trial unon this charge commenced
Yesterday. Ten jurors We're secured ana
the case adjourned until to-day. NUM-
her Of witnesses We're examined -no
court adjourned 20 Monday.
The prisoner will be protected by the
military company.
TELEGRAPHIC CORRFsPoNDENCh.
Tie following telcgrnphlc correspond
,rce nassed fetweon tho Governor ana
Cantaln Magrudcr yesterday.
"Woplstock. va, Dec. y, lS'6.
"covornor Charles T. O'ferrall. Ricn-
moni. Va:
sheriff Wightman summoned my com
panv ~ report ar tho county jan at l'.'
o'clock this morning 20 defend prisoner
Veathorhoitz from mob threatening
lvnchnr Responded 20 calrl whlch eai'
has boon repeated for tonight,
JW MAGRUDER, Can't
"Richmond. Va. Dec. y, 1876.
ITO CAPTAIN J. W Maerudor Command
ing GO. A. 2d Regiment Infantry:
..your message received. Obey Shcr-
~ orders Act with caution. but de-
cleion. Maintain law and order al an
hazards. Have absolute confidence 10
YOU and your company. wire me 'o"-
ditlon of affairs tomorrow morning.
CHARLES II. O'FERlALL."
pTEW HER BRAINS OUT.
II Will be remembered that Weather
holtz nIl iu wait for his wife ana blew
her brains out lie made his escape but
after some months was captured ana
tried. bic was found guilty OF murder
in the second degree. when the second
trial came mp the Commonwealth's At
tornov entered n nolle prosequi, on the
ground that Weatherholtz having been
found guilty Of murder IN Tho second
degree could not be tried FOR murder IN
the first degree: and that if he was tried
again for murder in the second degree
and found guilty. Judge Newman would
again set tho verdict aside.
INDIGNANT CITIZENS.
The citizens Of woodstock and the sur
rounding county held a largely-attcnd'
od Indignation Meeting ana denounced
the jury.
The feeling against the prisoner is very
bitter but 10 IS thought that the presence
rF fIa Military will insure him q fuir