The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-24
He Telegraphed to Send Aid to
Sheriff Curtis.
IF NEEDED TO PRESERVE ORDER.
Howitzers and Company ID Held in
Readiness - Messages From the
sheriff Announced That There
Was Strong Guard Around
the Phoebus Jail and
All Was Quiet.

For awhile yesterday It looked rs II
there might be a direct clash between
virginia state militia and riotous United
states troops al Phoebus.
Tho wires were kept busy for several
hours exchanging messages between Gov
ernor Tyler at Radford. Sheriff r. X.
Curtis. Of Elizabeth city county, and
Adjutant-Goneral q. OBJ. Cowardin. with
reference 20 the trouble and necessity
FOR protection at the Phoebus Jail.
Adjutant-General CowardIn received
from Governor Tyler telegram, request
Ing that he keep in direct communica-
tion with Sheriff Curtis. and inform him
self Of the situation. The Governor ask
ed Colonel Cowardin TO make prepare
tions 20 send troops az once 20 Sheriff
Curtis aid. and II tho latter announced
that they were necessary TO protect the
negro prisoner from violence at the
hands OF the rlotous soldiers. Governor
Tyler requested that he himself be kept
informed from this end Of the line az TO
the situation.
WOULD SEND AID.
Colonel Cowardin Immediately wired 20
Sheriff Curtis asking that the condition
OF affairs be reported az once to him, and
requesting the sheriff TO seek aid from
tho cOmmandant at the fort. whom he
thought would willingly furnish any as
sistance needed If necessary, however,
he advised Sheriff Curtis that assistance
would be sent from here.
Later on Colonel Cowardin received
dispatch from Sheriff Curtis stating that
81.
nished him aid; that the jail was SUR
rounded by a strong guard and that an
was quiet He did not expect any further
trouble last night. This information was
communicated 10 Governor Tyler.
Colonel CoWardin die not seriously eX-
pect that there would be any ugly clash
between the civil and military auth0ri-
ties. and he did not think IL would be
necessary 10 send any of the state mill
TIA 20 Sheriff Custis' aid. as he felt sure
that the cOmmandant at the fort would
furnish upon application such help as
was necessary 10 protect the prisoner and
preserve order.
THE MILITIA HELD READY.
The Adutant-General. however, was
not willing 70 take any chances, so he
had Captain Crawford of Company d.
First Regiment notified 20 hold his com
pany I'm readiness, In case there should
be necessity for sending them 20 Phoebus
He also advised Major w. +. Simons to
have the Howitzer Battery I'm readiness
10 move IL necessary. The battery was
drilling at their armory last night, but
the men were not informed Of the situa-
tlon. nor the orders 20 Major Simons.
There was considerable curiosity az the
Howitzer armory, however. when II was
learned that 80 carbines and 1000 rounds
OF ammunition had ben made ready TO
accompany the troops in case they were
ordered 10 move. = number OF questions
were asked by them as 10 the meaning
OF the preparations, but they were not
Informed OF the object.
PREPARING TO MOVE.
Adiutant-General COwardin also ar
ranged with the Chesapeake and ONO
Railway Company TO move the troops
and their arms at once TO PhOebus in
case a request for them should come from
Sheriff Curtis Preparations were prompt
lv made by the railroad people TO move
the forces upon the shortest notice.
Colonel Cowardin arranged 10 notify the
Norfolk Light Artillery Blues and
Grvmes Battery. OF Portsmouth, 10 go
nj once 20 Phoebus in case their services
were needed 20 establish order there. The
outlook for law and order seemed more
favorable later In the evening. and no
orders were sent 10 the two batteries.
The soldiers remained at the Ilowitzer
armory. and the Regimental Armory until
n late hour, but no commands were re-
ceived 20 prepare 20 move.
Adiutant-General Cowardin received a
telegram from Sheriff Curtis late last
night, saying all was quiet.