Evening star., 1897-04-28
TROOPS AT FAIRFAX
Governor 0'Ferrall Determined to
Prevent Lynching,
MONTICELLO GUARDS PROTECT LEWIS
Third Trial of Mrs. ReideIs AS
sai|ant Begun.
VIRGINIA TOWN WORKED UP
special Dispatch TO The Evening Star.


| Special Dispatch TO The Evening Star.
| FAIRFAX C. H., Va, April 2S-Fairfax
Court House was at the highest pitch of
excitement all night long, the second trial
| of the case of James Lewis, charged with
ravishing Mrs. Ida Reidel having begun at
6:W o'clock last night and continued
throughout the entire night. About the
| same evidence was placed before the new
jury as was given to the jury that could
not agree upon a verdict up to 10 O'Clock
yesterday morning, having been out all of
the night before.
The evidence of Mrs. Reidel brought out
| horrible story, revolving in the extreme,
and excited the deepest sympathy for her.
The leading citizens were Indignant that
the jury should have been unable to fix
upon a sentence, after they found the
prisoner guilty. The case was argued and
given to the jury at 30 o'clock this morn
ing. and it was believed that they would re-
turn i'll few minutes with verdict of
guilty and fixing the penalty at death. The
crowd became impatient and more 'ndig-
nant as the minutes rolled into hours, and
threats of lynching were heard freely
throughout the court room by those await
ing the result of the trial, and at more
than one time the danger of an outburst
seemed great.
Shortly before daybreak Sheriff Gordon,
who had been on the alert all night, dis
covered long rope with moose already pre-
pared and at once secured it, placing it on
the judges desk. The man who had the
moose end of the rope was just about to
slip the moose end over Lewis head W hen
detected. Had the sheriff been a minute
later the negro would have been hanged to
the nearest tree.
The whole court was in high state of ex-
cltement all night, as it could be seen at a
glance that serious trouble was brewing
and the longer the jury stayed out the
more the excitement increased. The pris-
cner was sent to the jail for safe keeping
about 4:45 o'clock, but brought back at 5
o clock when the jury came down, and, af-
ter being out four hours and half an
nounced that they could not agree or YER
dict. ~
They were sent back to the jury box The
excitement, while subdued to a certain ex-
tent, is apt to bubble over at any moment
The jury is greatly condemned for not
bringing in verdict, especially SO as the
evidence is straight and convincing. and the
Identification Of Lewis by Mrs. Reidel as
her assailant complete.
At go the jury sent for the sheriff and
returned to the court room the statement
that they could not agree.
No chance of your agreeing?" asked the
judge.
No. SIR was the reply
Well you are discharged
Sheriff. said the Judge, 'see that the
jury gets some breakfast. They don't de-
serve any
Another jury was summoned and the case
will be tried again. and if there is not
conviction this time it is openly asserted
that Judge Lynch will take charge .of the
case.
Awaiting the Troops.
Fairfax Court House is stirred up. and
knots of people are standing on lhe cor
ners discussing the situation, waiting the
militia, which has just arrived at Fairfax
station, ard is expected to reach the court
house within ar hour. 1t is hardly thought
that there will be any trouble during the
trial, but if the jury fails to convict or
agree the militia will have trouble in
guarding the prisoner.
1t has leaked out that the Fairfax au-
thorities telegraphed to Gov. O'Ferrall at
4:3O o'clock this morning not TO send any
militia until further Information.
Arrival of the Militia.
Shortly after o'clock the Monticello
Guards, thirty-four strong,in heavy march
ing order, were seen coming down the main
road from Fairfax station, under command
of First Lieut.. Winfield.
Immediately upon it's arrival the COM
pany was drawn up in line alongside of the
old court house, and the soldier boys We're
then served
The Third Trial.
At 2 o'clock court convened and a special
venire was called and a jury of twelve
farmers was chosen to decide Lewis fate
for third time, Mr.. Louis Kraft of Alex
andria acting as interpreter.
The case is now in progress.
Guards Ordered to Fairfax.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RICHMOND, Va, April 2S.-Gov. O'Fer-
rail- has ordered the Monticello Guards to
Fairfax Court House to protect James
Lewis. colored. trial there for assault.
They left Charlottesville at 1890 this morn
ing in command of Lieut.. Herbert Wing
field.
The Third Trial.
The case will probably be called before 3
O'Clock. and it will take six or seven hours
to try it, which will make it 10 o'clock be-
fore 1t goes to the jury, and which will. of
course. make 1t impossible to get a verdict
before a late hour tonight. 1t is believed
that 1t will be a difficult matter to get a
jury to convict now that the case has been
tried twice within twenty-four hours with
a hung jury in each case.
Some citizens crit.cise Gov. O'Ferrall for
sending the militia here without being re-
quested to do so. 1t is believed that the
appearance Of the militia will have quiet
ing effect