Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-16
DIED PROTESTING INNO-
CENCE..
A Brutal Murder--MOb Makes
No Efforts at Disguise.
THE LAW DEF1ED-ANARcHY 1Nv1Rc1N1A.

CHARLorTRsvILLE, July 12-John
Henry James, the colored man who as
saulted Miss Hotopp near here, was
lynched near here by the infuriated
citiGens of Charlottesville and the
county Yesterday afternoon James
was taken by the officers to Pen Park,
where he was identified by the young
woman as her assailant. They also
carried him to the scene of the out
rage. and ascertained by trying his
shoes IN The tracks found there that
they could have been made by no 9TH
er. He was then brought back and
lodged in jail, large crowd following
the entire way. The officers were cha
ry of admitting that he had been iden-
titled, but the crowd could not be de-
ceived, and angry mutterings and
thrests OF lynching were heard on ev-
cry side.
CARRIED TO sTAuNroN.
In consequence of this it was thought
best to remove the prisoner to Staun-
ton for safety. This was accomplished
in this way: About $50 O'Clock in
charge of Messrs. Nat. Martin, ID. q.
Grady, and Chief of Police Parish. the
colored man was taken over the north
wall Of the Jail yard, through some
private premises, and out by the wine
cellar, up the Southern railway to the
Union Station. There he was put
aboard the west-bound freight on the
Chesapeake and Ohio, which left at
o'clock, and was away on the road be-
fore the people knew anything about
1t. People were gathered in knots on
the streets as late as IL O'Clock, DIS
cussing the subject, and it became nee
esssry to take some of them through
the jail to satisfy them that the man
had really been taken away.
JUDGE WHITE ACTS.
In the mean time Judge John M.
White, OF the County Court. realizing
that prompt and efficient means would
have to be resorted to to calm the ex-
cited populace, issued summons for a
grand jury to meet at 10 O'Clock this
morning. 1t was about lO:45 when
the following gentlemen were sworn
in: H. g. Marchant (foreman), }, Reuben
Maury, John T. Antrim, J. ID. Watson,
r. H. Fife, II. O. Witt, and J. u. Hal
laday- Captain Woods, Common
wealth's Attorney, thought it unneces-
sary to introduce any other witness
ses than the young woman and
her sister, and the Jury retired to
their room to make their investiga-
tion. Before the investigation was
concluded. or they had rendered bill.
news rrived that James had been tax
en- from the train at Woods Crossing
and lynched.
LODGED IN JAIL.
Chef-of-Poliee Parish and Sheriff
Lucien Watts arrived with their pris-
oner at 6taunton at IL 80 last night.
The prisoner was lodged in the city
Jail. Chief Parish bought him some
sandwiches, which James said was the
first food he had had since yesterday
morning In the morning be professed
to.have rested we'll and smoked q cigar
ette with cool indifference. He didn't
seem disposed to give the officers any
trouble, and when they boarded the
train this morning for Charlottesville
it was not considered necessary to
handcun him.. He was brought down
at 8, due here at IL 40.
A CROWD WAITING.
When the train was nearing Woods
Crossing, about four miles west of this
city, the officers noticed a crowd at the
station, and at once took in the situa-
tion. Chief Parish Immediately went
to the front door Of the smoking car.
AS soonl as the train slowed up a
number of men, unmAsked, boarded
the platforms, front and rear; all were
armed with pistols, and there seemed
70 be about 100 in the crowd.
CLOSED TRE DOOR.
Chief Parish closed the door and held
the knob in a twinkling he was push
ed aside. the crowd rushing into the
car against his protest, and in perfect
indifference to his presented pistol.
Sheriff Watts had similar experience