The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-05-30
An Attempt to Murder Family

Montgomery county, this State is greatly
excited over the attempt to murder the family
of Richard l.. Buxton, of Gaithersburg.
About O'Clock on Monday morning Mrs
Buxton was awakened by dull sound and
before she could realize what it was she was
struck and rendered partially unconscious.
In a short time she recovered and hearing
screams from an adjoining room, started to-
wards it and in getting out of bed found blood
on the clothing and that her husband was I'M
conscious and bleeding. She shook him but
be did not respond. On entering her daugh-
ters' room the mother found that an assault
had been made upon them also, when big
eolored man seized her by the throat. choked
her and threw her back. She then grabbed
her baby and ran from the house. Buxton
recovered consciousness later, and said he was
struck on the head while asleep and, half
dazed, seized his pistol and fired shot, but
il went in The floor. He was struck again,
and knew no more. Neighbors were sum
moned and search was made when two
bloody axes were found 90 the floor.
Buxton has three axe cuts in his head, one
on each side and one across the top. Mrs,
Buxton was struck twice; the daughters were
given one murderous blow each.
There was intense excitement in the town,
and immediate steps were taken to find the
perpetrator of the crime. A colored man had
been seen leaving the Buxton house, and by
O'Clock large force of men, mounted and
afoot, were securing the country. The feel
ing was increased by the statement that Sadie
Buxton was dead. The child, however,
rallied, although there was no chance Of her
recovery, and systematic search was organ
lied. About 9 o'clock Garrett and Ward
who we're on horseback, overlook big col
ored man named Sidney Randolph, some dis
lance from the town, going toward Hunting
Hill.
When they rode up the man showed fight,
and Ward shot at him. The bullet struck
him in the hand, passing through and lodging
in his leg. He was taken TO Gaithersburg
and, after a preliminary examination, was
carried to the Rockville jail.
AT the same time George Neale, eolored
man who bears an unsavory reputation in
Gaithersburg, and who was convicted of at
tempted felonious assault some years ago, and
served q term in the House of Correction
therefor, was also arrested and brought to
Rockville, with Randolph.
Neale declared he knew nothing of the
crime, and said he reckoned they had only ar
rested him TO hold some one until the right
man was arrested.
At 10 o. clock a rumor spread in Gathers.
burg that lot of bloody clothing had been
found in Geale's house, and feeling ran high
against him. A few minutes later the news
came that Randolph's coat had been found
full of blood.
it was lucky for him that he was in Jail at
Rockville, as this proof of his connection with
she crime simply maddened the crowd.
Randolph, for whom circumstances appear
TO be rapidly weaving rope, is tall negro,
apparently about 25 years of age, of large
muscular frame, and very black skin.
His absolute denial Of any knowledge of the
crime was given with the same GOODNESS. He
passed through Rockville Monday and asked
for something to eat at several houses, and
woman who gave him food said he then wore
n coat.
If the crime is fastened on any man or men
il is not likely there will be trial in court
Of law. This is the unanimous sentiment and
there seems to be no effort to quell it.
A very small crowd collected at Rockville
and no manifestations of violence were made.
The men were taken to Washington soon after
and came directly to Baltimore. The prisoners
are negroes of the worst possible appearance.
They are very shabbily dressed and have
hang-dog look about them, far from prepos-
sessing.
Neither Of the prisoners would say aught
except that they we're innocent. Randolph
is % years old and Neal 26. The former is a
Georgian, who has been living some years in
Montgomery county, while the other is a
native.
A possible motive for the crime has bssD
suggested thus. Neal was released from the
Penitentiary six months ago, where he had
been serving 10-year-santence for felonious
assault At the time of the crime Mr. Buxton
was very active in securing evidences against
Neal, and tits supposed he bore him 10 gFadge.