The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-29
Difficulty in Convieting James
Lewis at Fairfax.
HIS VICTIM swEARS
TO THE ASSAULT IN THE MOST
POSITIVE TERMS, TWO JURIEs
HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DECIDE
UPON A VERDICT AND A THIRD
TRIAL is NOW IN PROGRESS.
FEELING RUNNING HIGH.

SOltTC W., ADrll
AT 40 O'Clock Wednesday morning the
court finished it's charge and for the Sec
ond time i'll little more than twenty
four hours the life of James Lewis was
placed in the hands of n jury. The great
est excitement ensued rs soon as the jury
retired and tho crowd waited with in
creasing impatience for the return of n
verdict.
1t is feared that should the jury decide
upon anything but death, or fail to arrive
ut n prompt verdict, au attempt will he
made before daylight to seize the pris-
oner and wrenk vengeance upon him. At
l0 O'Clock yesterday, just after the jury
In the first trial of Lewis, charged with
assaulting Mrs. Reidel, had taken their
seats, they were asked by Judge Lips.
comb it they had come to an agreement.
He was informed by the foreman, Mr.
Beach, that they had not 1t is under
stood that when the jury first entered the
room, after the trial, IL vote was taken rs
to the guilt of the prisoner, which was
unanimous in the affirmative. When n
vote as to punishment was taken three
members were in favor of twenty years
in the pententiary. Finally two of the
three-Messrs. Martin and Willcoxen-
were brought ever to death sentence,
while j. f. Jerman hell out for twenty
years Imprisonment.
not agree the crowd around became in
dignant, and threats of lyRching could be
heard. Jerman was severely criticised for
his action. Lawyers, citizens and farmers
gathered in the courthouse yard and said
openly that if the negro was not CON
victed on tho second trial he would be
hanged by amob. After the jury had
been discharged the court issued attach
mepts for another panel, and the sheri #
inn n inf Ofo Fad u
4:3O p. m. only eleven men were seated
in the jury box, and the crowd became
very impatient. ~
The telephone wire was kept hot be-
tween Alexandria, Clifton and Manassas.
About 3 o'clock r. Il. Thornton, one of
of the counsel for the defense, re-
ceived n message from exCongress-
man Meredith, at Manassas, stating
that crowd was coming from Prince
William to help hang the negro Another
message was received that crowd was
coming from Lower Fairfax. This news
seemed to brace UP the crowd at the
| courthouse
Governor O'Ferrall was Criticised for
his action regarding the Alexandria
lynching The crowd collected in groups,
and the excitement increased
There was difficulty in getting the Sec.
ond jury, and it was not until O'Clock
| the case resumed: A. j. Kidwell NJ NJ,
Payne, +. &. Mayhem, John M. Ford +.
NJ. Ford, Louis Hunt Thomas Harrison,
Robert n. mons, a. w. Robinson, Berk-
ley Kidwell, j. +. Johnson and Edward
Stalant.
An opening statement was made by the
prosecution ar d defense, and Mrs Reidel
took the stand. Judge Lipscomb an
nounced that he would try the case if it
| took all night.
The testimony Of Mrs. Reidel was with.
out any material change from that given
yesterday. She is i'll from the intense
| strain and excitement in attending court.
During the night the courthouse was
crowded with farmers and farm hands,
awaiting patiently the result OF the
trial. Emanuel Reidel; George Appich,
the interpreter, and Sheriff Gordon gave
their testimony of yesterday over again.
Lewis was put upon the stand, and dur
ing the cross examination became impu.
dent. He did not help his case any from
his testimony. The argument in the case
was commenced at II 80 p. M.
AT 2:3Q o'clock no verdict had been re-
| turned.
At O'Clock the jury came into court
and announced that they were unable to
agree, whereupon they were discharged
by the court and another jury at once
empaneled.
The third trial is now in progress.
This afternoon, under orders from Gov
ernor O'Ferrall, the Alexandria Light
| Infantry put in an appearance here to
act as IL guard around the Jail, as threats
are still being openly made on all sides
that Lewis will he lynched if the jury
| fails to convict.
g q FIRST OF