The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-14

mob laid their plans that at this time there
was no suspicion of violence.
Tho laboring mon Of tho town were 60
ing to their homes. The faithful oity Sex
ton was lighting tho little oil lamps at tho
corners thnt mako tho streets passable at
night.
Suddenly, as fire wagons emerge from
the ongino houses when an alarm Ia turned
In, from five different sections of the town
rs many carriages sprang rapidly into the
public road, and before the half startled,
half frightened natives could realize the
situation wero moving mt terrific speed
over the route Travelled few minutes car
lier by DIR. Ryder and his guards.
The truth dawned upon the sheriff. In
90 minutes posse, headed by tho old off,
Ger and Professor. Ryder y brother of tho
prisoner, was in hot'pursuit. Tho lynch
ors were pursuing Dr. Ryder. The posse
was pursuing the iynchcrs. Every man
was nrnod.
.'If wo do not protect tho DOCTOR" said
tho old vigilant, lit will BIO because they
can dodge bullets faster than we can shoot
Them" Flo meant what he said. His as
Rociates were not less determined.
They did not protect the doctor, how
ever. They moved toward Wavorly Hall
with all the speed their horses could com
illtiIu. HO luOU III IrOuG QlQ CDO SNlnO.
When three miles this sido Of the station,
the posse met q carriage. Tho driver
shouted, "The mob Is just aheadr'
The posse moved on. Little did they
dream that tho object of their defense was
In that very vehicle, but such was the
case. Tho night was dark. Tho other
carriages occupied by tho mob had been
hidden behind the shrubbcry along tho
roadside.
Tho ono carriage driven by tho leader
of the mob and in which DIR. Ryder had
boon thrown whom captured from his
guards was loft on tho road with tho pre-
tense Of innocently moving ahead whom
tho posse was heard to approach
This WAS in Harris county. Tho mob
desired to lynch Ryder in Talbot county,
rs it WIS in that county he committed tho
crime, and In that county tho chances for
the subsequent protection of tho lynohor5
would he grenter. Two miles ahend was
the county limo.
The sheriff and his posse, THROWN off
thoir guard for tho time Mt least, tho mob
mato mad rush for tho county line
Tho limo onco crossed n convenient tree
was easily found. DIR. Ryder was made
to stand upon tho sent of his carriage.
Tho canopy was lowered. A rope was tied
closely about his neck. Tho end of it was
thrown over n limb and tied about the
body of tho treo.
The carriage was driven from under
him, and DIR. ". l.. Ryder, crstwhile So
cioty man, scholar, gentleman, was swung
into eternity. The lynchcrs scattered in
different directions, whilo the carriages
were driven rapidly to Talbotton.
Tho sheriff and his posse soon returned
on tho sano road and passed within the
shadow of tho ghnstlv object of their spnrch
but pushed on to Talbotton no wiser than
when they started on the wild, desperate,
but unsuccessful ride.
Tho coroner Of tho county examined two
witnesses on the following morning who
could not have known anything concern
ing tho lynching and returned tho usual
verdict that the deceased camo to his
death by stranguletion at the hands of
parties unknown
Tho parties aro known, however De-
teotives arc now on tho scene, and the