Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-04-24

EXCITEMENT LAST NIGHT.-Alex-
andria was excited last night, and it
was long after midnight before Nor
NAL state of affairs existed. Early N
the night several policemen were seen
hurrying up King street. When they
reched Washington street they fastened
south on that thoroughfare and report
spread that mob of negroes had SUI,
rounded Mr.. Tobias Lacey's house and
were endeavoring to burn it for the rea-
son that he was ut the station house
when Mccoy was taken out and lynch
ed. Hundreds of white people double.
ouicked to the scene, and it is believed
the larger portion of them carried pls-
tolls. The excitement reached the fe-
fer heat in few minutes, and excited
men were running to and fro on King
street circulating all sorts OF rumors.
The Mayor ordered all the available
policeman to the southern end OF the
city for the purpose of preserving the
peace. About this time the Alexandria
Light Infantry proceeded up King
street, headed by the Drum Corps, for
the purpose of attending the fair, and
those who did not know their objective
point Jumped at the conclusion that
general riot was in progress and that
the company was to assist the police
in preserving order. Negroes were
doing considerable talking, and
some OF their criticisms of Thurs
day nights proceedings were CAL
culated to foment trouble. 1t is be-
iieyed that nearly one thousand people
repaired to the extreme southern end
of Washington street determined TO
protect Mr.. Lacy and his family should
any hostile movement be made on the
part of the blacks, but upon eXamlna-
tion it was seen that the reports which
had been circulated in the city had no
foundation and had originated from q
statement that colored man had been
seen in Mr.. Lacy's yard. 1t was re-
porte6 that Lacy and some of his neigh
bors who had had Mccoy arrested had
received threatening letters from some
negroes, and in order to forestall any
trouble the Mayor had sufficient
number of officers in the peighborhood
during the night to afford protection.
There was no further trouble. While
the above excitement was in progress
telegram was received st the station
house from Sheriff Gordon ot Fairfax
county asking if the authorities bore
were aware of any proposed attempt
on the part of a mob from this city or
neighborhood to lynch the negro
lewis, now in Jail at the court
house for assaulting Mrs Reidel
A rumor had been circulated here
to the effect that body of men from
lower Fairfax were contemplating such
81 thing, and this was communicated tC
Sheriff Gordon. Later it was rep0rtsC
that Sheriff Gordon would bring the
negro to this city for safekeeping, an6
this caused crowd to assemble in the
neiShborhood Of the Southern Railway
O'Clock returned to their barracks, AMI
it was generally supposed that they haf
been ordered from the fair room anC
placed under orders Mayor Thomp
son was at the armory when they re
turned, aud he had an immediate con
sultation with Captain Bryan and di
rected him to hold his company in
readiness for orders. The streets were
swarming with people and the neigh
borhood of the armory was packed
All sorts of rumors were in the air, and
the greatest curiosity was manifested to
find out what was going on. The Mayor
and Commonwealth Attorney Mar
bury kept up telephone communca-
ton with Fairfax Courthouse for some
time, but the information received was
vague, although it was certain Lewis
was moi TO be brought here on train,
It seemed as though the Fairfax all
thorities were determined that there
should be no re-enaotment of Thurs.
day nights scenes. Shortly before
eleven o'clock, the Mayor being salts.
fed Lewis would not be brought here.
dismissed the Light Infantry. The
streets were alive with people an hour
later, but about ,one o'clock normal
state of affairs set in.
-< >-
THURSDAY NIGHr's LYNCHING. Til.