The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-03
AN OFFICER
ATTACKED.
Sergeant of VintOn the Victim of a
Negro Desperate.
ABOUT THIRTY NEGROES WHO
WE'RE BATHING IN GLADE
CREEK SUNDAY CAUSE A sERI-
GUS ASSAULT ON SERGEANT
JONES HE WAS STRUCK WITH
A ROCK BEHIND THE EAR AND
IS STILL UNCoNsCIoUs-His AS
SAILANT UNDER ARREST.

On Sunday about noon about thirty
five negroes were bathing in Glade Creek
within the corporate limits of .Vinton
within sight of the public highway and
within plain view of number of resi-.
dences. Mark Weaver, n citizen in the
near vicinity made complaint and Jno
w. Jones, the town sergeant, went over
to the creek to run them away
When he approached the creek the hoys
ran away in u naked condition leaving
their clothing on the bank When they
ran the officer fired his pistol in the air
and ordered them to halt. They were af-
forwards induced TO come back for their
clothes and ordered to leave with the
promise of arrest if ever caught there
again.
Many of them scampered away, but
one little imp more brazen than the rest
attacked Mr.. Jones in an impudent man
ner as though he defied arrest. Mr.. Jones
then concluded that he would take him
any way. and to that end seized him by
the arm. When he did this another negro
who was sitting on the bank took hold of
the otiicer,who struck him several blows
on the wrist to break his hold. He struck
Mr.. Jones several times in the face and
Mt last succeeded in striking him Just be-
low and behind the right ear, telling him
to the ground. 1t was at least ten min
utes hefore the unfortunate man made
any sign that life was not extinct, but he at
last rallied and was removed TO his home
III semi conscious state and has been in
that condition ever since.
Bystanders say that the negro, whose
name is James Mead, struck the officer
with rock which he held in his hand.
The authorities have the rock in their
possession.
Mead made his escape, notwithstand d.
ing the fact that II posse of about thirty
citizens was soou-organized and started
in hot pursuit. They followed him in the
direction of the stock yards. A 'phcne
message was sent to--police headquarters
and Officers Griffin and johnson started
for East Roanoke. In the meantime the
posse were searching for him in the
vicinity of the stock yards hotel. He was
soon found hiding in a clump of small
bushes and started to run. One of the
ciJizens in pursuit fired three shots at
him, but he kept coming towards town
and ran directly into the arms of the po-
lice officers. He was arrested and ad :
mitted being the man who was wanted.
He was brought here and lodged in jail,
where he will be held subject to the action
of the county authorities.
Mr. Jones is still in Il very serious con-
dition and the blow being the base OF
the brain, may yet be very aggravated
case. 1t is very similar to the wound re-
ceivel by Officer Mabry, who died from
the effects of it sc veral years ago.
Mead admitted yesterday to Times
reporter that he was the guilty party.
When told about the condition of his vic
tim,he grew restless and uneasy, but
claimed that he struck him with his fist
and nothing else. Other arrests are likely
to follow.
LATER. Mead was taken to the coun-
ty Jail at Salem late yesterday afternoon.