Richmond planet., 1897-05-08

he~n reached in the trial of James
l. wis at Fairfax Courthouse The
jury hung, standing eleven to one for
conviction. NV trial was ordered
fer this morning.
TWO PEBBLE ATTEMPTS.
1t is said that two feeble attempts
were made to take the prisoner from
She riff Gordon, but they were unsuc-
.sful.
The confession of a colored man
charged with setting fire TO two sta
bles and duplicating Richard Burnett
l. creating some excitement here this
MOI ming
MILITARY ORDERED OUT.
CHARLOTTESVILLE VA, April 2S-
Governor O'Ferrall has ordered Mon
tice llo Guard to Fairfax Courthousr
to protect James Lewis, (colored) re-
Gently arrested in Albemsrle county,
on the charge of outrageous assault on
Mrs. Ida Reidel, of Fairfax county,
The Guard left at 1920 a. m. under
command OF Lieutenant Herbert
Wingfeld.
Lewis is in danger of being lynched.
A MOOSE IN THE COURTROOM.
ALEXANDRIA. VA. April 28-The au-
thorities say they did not need or ask
for military, Governor O'Ferrall or
dered the company up. There was an
attempt TO stop kthem on the way.
This is doubtless what caused q wild
report here TO the effect that ak hun
dr. d Fsirfaxians had ordered the
Charlottesville boys away and not
mcs ing quick enough were not given
q
on the run. The company is quartered
at the hotel.
STIRRING SCENES THERE.
There were some stirring scenes at
the courthouse early this morning.
After some pistol shots were heard
about O'Clock excitement within the
courtroom reigned supreme. Walton
Noore came in and said that he and
his friends were not responsible for
these things. yet the patience of the
people of Fairfax was being soreIy
tried. Just after that some man got
over near the prisoner and was about
TO throw a moose over Lewis head
when Sheriff Gordon and others sprang
upon him and took the rope sway.
JUDGES QUEER REMARK.
When this was reported it is said
that Judge Lipscomb in a tired, sleepy
sort OF way exclaimed simply, "0h
throw it away"
1t looks this evening as though there
is little chance of bringing about a
night the military will take Lewis to
Charlottesville.
FOUND GUILTY.
ALEXANDRIA. VA, April 28-Tne
Lewis jury was out fifty minutes. The
verdict was received in silence, but
with utmost satisfaction. Judge Linz
comb discharged the jury, thanking
them for their forbearance under most
trying circumstances, and said he
would remand the prisoner to the near
by Jail and open court again at 10
o'clock in the morning, when he would
fix the date of the Lewis ex, cution.
WILL GUARD THE JAIL.
The military will guard the Jail to-
night, and it is generally believed, will
leave for Charlottesville at Judge Lips
combs and Governor 0'Ferrall's con-
sent by the early morning train. The
verdict takes we'll here.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, April 2S-James
Lewis, a colored man. charged with
outraging Mrs Ida Reidel, a white
woman, several miles below here about
two weeks ago, was found guilty by a
jury at Fairfsx Courthouse tonight
TIE death penalty was imme ediately
imposed.
The case has been in some respects a
remarkable one, the condemned man
having been tried three times In as
many days. In the two former trials
the jury found him guilty of the crime
charged, but we're unable to agree on
the penalty to he imposed, eleven m en-
in each case favOring hanging, and the
remaining juryman holding out for
life imprisonment.
TIE MOB ANGRY.
There was much Indignation among
the leading citizens of the county that
the jury could not agree on the penal
ty after finding Lewis guilty. Tn the
second trial the case was given to the
jury at 30 o'clock this morning, but
after remaining out four hours thev
reported their inability to agree. The
crowd around the courthouse became
very impatient while awaiting the
verdict, and threats of lynching were
freely made Shortly before day
break Sheriff Gordon, by a timely dis
covery. prevented lynching by get
ting possession of long rope with a
moose in 1T which a man was Just pre-
pared to slip over Lewis neck.
TIE GOVERNORS ACTION
The lynching of colored man in
Alexandria last week for assaulting a
little girl was regretted greatly by
Governor O'Ferrall, and he was deter
mined, if possible, to prevent a recur-
renee OF such an act in the present
case. Accordingly ne ordered the
Monticello Guards to Fairfax Court
house to assist in preserving order,
and they arrived at the place during
the afternoon from (harlottesville in
command of Lieute~ ant Herbert Win
field. The imposition of the death
penalty on Lewis will, it is expected
relieve the tension which has existed
and no trouble is probable.