The times., 1897-04-30
THE VERDICT PRONOUNCED.
Five Weeks From Today Lewis
Will Be Hanged.
NEVER A CHANCE FOR LIFE
The Rope Literally Dangled in His,
Face While The Jury Deiiberated.
Situation without Precedent
in IA Courtroom-H Persists in
Denying the Crime.

Fairfax Courthouse, Va, April 90
| James Lewis, the negro who crininally
assaulted Mrs Ida ReideI, came within
three minutes of being Iynched inside the
| courthouse here last night by mob OF
| 200 citizens, before the very eyes of the
court and while the judge was seated upon
| the bench and the jury deIiberatipg with
| the verdict. 1t is doubtful if ever in this
| commonwealth or any other, such situa
| ton WIS even presented. So near did
| grim death approach the Eegro that the
| rope literally dangled in his face. and yet
| he never faltered OF appeared the least
| concerned regarding his fate. He evi--
| IDENTIFY relied completely upon the pres
| ence OF the militiamen to protect him
| from violence, but they would have been
utterly powerless to have helped him.
The crowd had determined that Lewis
should die for his crime by due process
| of law, Ii possible; if not, then by the only
means left in the hands of an Indignant
| people The prisoner position was help
| less Surrounding him was mob, openly
and boldly declaring their intention TO
| lynch him, should the jury fall To bring IN
a verdict TO hang him. To Lewis it
meant death coming and going. 1t was
only a question of time, either three min
utes or thirty days.
All during the progress of the trial the
people had been perfecting arrangements
to take the law into their own hands,
should the jury again hesitate in deciding.
At one time the rope lay coiled up ON the
judges desk, where he could have reached
over and touched it, had he so desired
The hemp had been measured SO as TO make
sure that it would reach over the railing
in the balcony. One of the most prominent
citizens of the county had itin charge, while
another was ready TO give the signal.
Everybody hoped for an immediate YER
dict. but were disappointed iii this. The
jury had been out about half an hour, when
they called for water. This looked as II
trouble would surely follow. At the end
of fifty-five minutes, during which time
the crowd had wrought itself up to the
highest pitch of excitement, the deputy
sheriff returned from the jury room and
reported that one man, who preferred a
term OF imprisonment, had not been won
over. This was whispered around quickly
and the crowd made ready. Sheriff Cor
don knew what was coming, and stationed
himself behind the prisoner, if possible. To
prevent the rope being thrown about his
neck as he had done on the pre- evious day.
His long. gray beard and snow-w ute locks
stood out in striking contrast against
Lewis black face. Two strong men stood
beside him, ready To push the officer out
OF the way when the word should be
given, and a half dozen surrounded the
two bailiffs to do like wise to them.
Sheriff Gordon hastily sent for Lieut.
Wingfield for consultation. The plan was
when the signal should be given to have
the blinds closed and the door shut and
barricaded by the mob, then the rope
was to be thrown about his neck and the
victim hauled some ten feet in the air, and
his body riddled with bullets. Ii could
all have happened and the whole thing
been over before the Montecello Guards
could have gotten inside the door, aud
the country would have witnessed the
amazing spectacle Of having prisoner
lynched in a courthouse, during a session
of the court, with the judge on the bench.
In some manner word was sent to the
jury that their services would only be
required t. hold an inquest, unless they ira-
mediately reported. They lost no time in
doing so, and just when the ringleader
had risen from hls seat TO make the sign
for the attack, the jury room door swung
wide open aud the twelve men filed into
their seats, and one of the most startling
tragedies threatened was thus averted.
The crowds received the verdict with
shouts and tremendous enthusiasm. and
went out and marched up and down the
streets, singing and rejoicing.
This morning Lewis was brought UP
from the jail and given his sentence. lie
was allowed to make statement, in which
he endeavored to prove that his victim had
not fully identified him, and stoutIy denied
the crime
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Lips
combe said You have had fair and inn
partial trial, and have been ably defended
by counsel assigned to defend you. The
jury have by their verdict said that you
are guilty of the heinous crime of rape, and
that you should suffer the punishment OF
death The verdict meets with my full
approval.
1T is now my duty to pronounce the
sentence OF the law against you. 1t is.
therefore, the Judgment of the court that
you he remanded to the Jail of this county
and remain in close confinement until
Friday, the 4th day of June, 1897, on which
day, between the hours of 3 O'Clock and 10
in the forenoon, the sheriff Of this county
shall cause you to be hanged by the neck
until you are dead. May the Lord have
mercy upon you"
His only comment upon listening to the
judges words was to ask for new trial.
he was referred to his attorneys, but it is
not at all probable that new hearing Will
be given him. Efforts have been made to
induce the condemned man to make a con
fession of his guilt, but it il doubtful if
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