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

history Of tho country who has been
lynched.
In order to understand this curious trag-
edy 1t must be remembered that DR. Ryder
was not only white man, but before tho
murder of Miss Snllio Emma Owen, his
sweetheart, was one of tho most respected
citizens in tho state. Hc had every ndyan-
tngc which wealth, good birth and good
breeding could give. Ho belonged to ono
of the oldest and most aristocratic families
in GcorRin. He was q graduate Of ono of
Tho leading colleges in Georgia and Ind
passed through ono of tho dental colleges
of Philadelphia.
AS professional man he stood without
peer. He WAS welcome visitor into tho
homes of tho most select circles in the
state. His connections wero influential
lie was ono of six sons, all of whom hold
prominent positions in the community.
His brother, Professor r. a. Ryder, is
superintendent Of public schools at Column
bus. Another brother, practicirg physi-
chm, stands pre-cminontly at tho head of
his profession in his own county, and
sister, the widow of ono Of Gcorgia's for
mcr state senator's, is accredited today
with being the largest woman landowner
in the south.
DR.. Rydor was gcntlemnnly in his bear
ing, refined in his every tnsto, cool and
calculating, circumspcct md prudent. No
young man in Georgia hud fewer enemies
and more friends.
1t was this DIR. Ryder young hnnd-
some, educated, refined rich, who was on
Monday night snatchcd from tho law. his
half animate body kicked and bruised by
his prosecutors aud his neck broken by a
II hour suspension from the limb of "a con
vcnient treo.
Miss Sallic Emma Owen, who was lnur-
dered by DIR. Ryder in her own homo on
tho 18th of April 1896, was also n NOM
Der of one of the oldest and most respected
families in the state. Sho was a very beau
tful young woman ami was u graduate of
Wesleyan college
The Owens ana Rydcrs wcro related,
and young Ryder and Miss Owen had been
good friends for years. When Miss Owen
returned from school, tho friendship b.
tween the two fast rircncd into affection.
The two We're in tho habit of attending
all tho society functions together, and
THOR marriage came To be considered as
certainty. Tho match was considered in
every respect u most desirable ono
All went we'll until a. G. Persons, q
promising lawyer and Il state senator, also
begun to pay attention to Miss Owen. AS
timo went on il became evident that Per
sons was the favored sutton
Tho two men often met, and it was ru-
mored that both won't about armed. No
open threats wero made.
Ryde" had an exceedingly nervous and
cXcitublo disposition. Attimcs he showed
signs of violent jealousy. Ho continued
his attentions to Miss Owen, and the rival
ry WAS naturally much talked of in tho lit.
tie community.
In April last year, on quiet Sunday
afternoon, Ryder CHANGED to call on Miss
Owen and on entering tho hallway saw
his former flancee talking to Persons IIo
stopped and without u word turned and
hurried from tho house.
Miss Owen and Persons, after Ryder
Ind left, sat down in an adjoining room
and had soon, no doubt, forgotten the visit
of the rival sutton. a few minutes later
Ryder returned and approached tho house
stealthilg until he reached the open door.
There he stopped, took deliberate aim
and fired ut Miss Owen, killing her in
stantly.
search wns made for Ryder, and no
was found lying in wood near by, where
he had attempted, without success, to kill
himself.
At the trial, which was held last Sop
tcmkcr, Ryder was convicted and SEN
tonccd to be hanged. The supreme court
granted n new trial on dozen errors made
which infuriatcd tho mob and brought
about the lynchng.
A special term was called for the trial
of tho cnso for Monday, July TO- A con-
tinuance was granted on tho ground that
the lending counsel for tho defense was
sick and could not attend court.
A threat was made lay ono of tho law
ycrs for the prosecution at the bar TINT If
the defendant persisted in continuing tho
case no would never be tried Develop
mcnts few hours later demonstrated the
correctness of that prophecy, and it is
charged that this remark fastened tho
mob
The trial had been continued by the I'M
avoidable absence of Leading counsel.
Judge Hart mado the decision at O'Clock
in tho afternoon. Court adjourned, the
lawyers exchanged courtcses and the pris-
oncr was removed to tho county jail.
At O'Clock carriage with two ders.
tics drove up and the rido was begun to
Wnyerly Hail. n railroad station 13 miles
distant. DR.. Ryder was to he returned to
the Columbus Jail. So well had the small
band of men who aftorward composed tho