Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1897-06-12

despatch from Princess Anne. Nd.
says: William Andrews, colored. alias
Cuba" was taken from the officers OF the
law by mob near the courthouse here and
was kicked, beaten. cut with razor and
then hanged 20 tree.
A few minutes before this occurred An
drews had pleaded guilty 10 the charge OF
assaulting Mrs. Benjamin T. Kelley. near
Marion, Somerset county. on the the after
noon OF May 5. Judge Henry Page had SEN
fenced him 20 be- hanged and he was being
taken TO jail when the mob seized him
Andrews arrived in Princess Anne several
hours before his trial. having been brought
from the Baltimore jail, where he had been
taken FOR protection until the court met 20
act on his case.
AZ the conclusion OF the sentence pro-
nounced by Judge Page, which was TO the
effect that Andrews should be taken 20 the
jail, thence at time TO be appointed by the
Governor removed TO sthe pla,e .of execu-
tion and there hanged by the neck until he
WAS dead, the crowd broke out with cheers
and wild applause, which was promptly
checked by the court.
Judges Plea Was Useless.
The judge was notified that a mob had
surrounded the courthouse and that fears
we're entertained that violence would be
resorted 10 when the sheriff should attempt
10 remove the prisoner 10 the Jail. Leaving
the bench he addressed the mob. urging all
law-abiding citizens 10 remain quiet as the
law thus far had been permitted 10 take its
course. He said u-tice would surely be
meted out 20 Mrs. KelIeys assailant The
Judge Was asked n the prisoner would again
be removed to the Baltimore jail. and having
been assured that this would not be done the
mob promised TO dieparsa
This promise proved 10 be but "a subterfuge
Tor as soon as the sheriff and his deputies
appeared with the prisoner at the door ofthe
private entrance TO the court Andrews.
trembling and covering. was seized by the
infuriated people. Amid curses and cries OF
XIII him" he was soon reduced 20 a state OF
Inconsistencies.
The suddenness OF the attack came as a
surprise TO the guards who had charge OF the
prisoner. They attempted 70 protect him
bat were powerle % cope with the mad
dened throng.
The body remained dangling from the tree
until O'Clock in the afternoon. when Jus
tice H. W. Lankford summoned jury Of
Inquest, with George W. Brown As foreman.
Samuel Pritchet, samuel ". Kennerley and
George Brown were examined by the jury.
They testified ia substance that they acted
a. guards for the sheriff; that the prisoner
was seized from them 10y the mob. and that
he came TO his death az the hands OF persons
unknown TO them. The jury returned a YER
dict that Andrews died from blows inflicted
by persons unknown. The body was taken
IL charge OF 10y Undertaken Wm. II. smith
and was buried at the almshouse
The Trial In Court
The trial before Judge Page. which pre-
ceded the lynching. was short and was
marked by the pronounced effect which Mrs.
Kelley's testimony had upon the crowd in
the courtroom Her story aroused many
persons to rage and vengeance
Sheriff l.. Cleveland Nelson arrived with
Andrews on the Norfolk express, which
reached Princess Anne at 3.29 A. NJ. The
prisoner was taken directly TO the Jail
Al 3 o'clock in the morning the special ses-
SON Of court summoned for the trial was
called. The grand jury was sworn. with
VIM. T.. Jones, of Mount Vernon district. as
foreman. Judge Page delivered the charge
10 the jury, ia the course OF which ne re-
! ferred briefly 10 the reasons for convening
the special term and spoke of Andrews
crime.
The jury then weDt 10 its room and IN
twenty minutes afterward the Indictment
against Andrews FOR assault upon Mrs.
i