The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-27

That In what mr. j. II. Woodward Des
clares About the Assault on Him
With Horsevvhips at Washington.
Says He Can Establish an AIfbI


Says He Can Establish an AIfbf
Mr.. ]. F. Woodward, of Warsaw,
who was assaulted with horsewhips at
Washington, N. c., on Thursday, Is
determined to prove his innocence Of
offering an insult to the lady in question
He went to Washington yesterday, ac-
companied by his counsel, ex-Judge w.
r. Allen, of Goldsboro, and II. L. Ste
vens, Esq, of Warsaw. He also took
along Mayor w. L.. HILL and Mr.. Jo-
seph E. Johnson, and other friends at
Warsaw.
MIR. WOODWARD BELIEVED m
NOCENT.
Especial to The Messenger.)
Washington, N. c., June 24.-Mr. J..
T. Woodward arrived in this city at
noon today. accompanied by Judge w.
r. Allen, H: L. Stevens, attorneys, and
II. B. Pierce, C. +. Carroll, w. L. Hill
and ]. E. Johnson, friends from War
saw. The party was given a most cor
diel reception by the best citizens of the
town and people fell over each other
to shake hands with Mr.. Woodward
whom nearly all the people, and the
best people at that, believe innocent.
The lawyers for both sides have been
caucassins all the evening and have
just arranged a meeting for Mr.. Wood
ward and Miss Burgess. The interview,
which is for the purpose of establish
ing Mr.. Woodward's innocence, is now
taking place.
MIR. WOODWARD TALKS.
The following is taken from yester-
days Raleigh News and Observer:
Goldsboro. N. c., June 23.-I met Mr..
J. F. Woodward, of Warsaw, here this
morning returning from Washington.
With reference to the affair he makes
the following statement:
II have been in Washington fourteen
or fifteen days soliciting and buying
potatoes for G. NJ. Snyder & Co., of
New York. So far as I know my rela-
tions with everybody in Washington
We're pleasant. / had no trouble with
any one.
During the day "wednesday, June
21sD, from 8 a. m. to IL m, l was at
work on the dock looking after the in
terests of my house. l shipped the last
car of potatoes on Wednesday and
spent the entire afternoon on the dock.
About 5 p. M, / started toward the
Hotel Nicholson with Mr.. Joe Taylor,
OIL w dSIIlIlS lOI, ~. - dllu Vic " ANA,
of Pittsburg, Pa. When we got about
half way to the hotel, Mr.. A. Hudnell,
of Aurora, Joined us and we all walked
together to the hotel. There we talked
till about 6 p. m, when Mr.. Hudnell
left us. I did not leave the hotel again
tina night. / wen to supper at about
$3.50 and to bed at about 10 o'clock.
LAS 1 was sitting in front of the hotel
about s p. m. Wednesday evening, Mr.
S. II. Williams same by and sale to me,
r - 80 4In+ -nr rynrr
flirting with a lady in front of the Pres
byterian church this evening. L told
him he was mistaken, that l was a
married man, and that was out or my
line of business, that I had not lei
the hotel since / came from the dock
I thought he was joking in what he
said, except as he was leaving he said
I suppose you will leave in the morn
ing. l will see you before you a
Next morning Thursday I left TIT
hotel, stopping on the way to the depO
to bid my friends good bye. 1 wa:
joined by Mr.. Joyner, who accompanied
me to the depot. When L reached ther'
I bought a ticket to Warsaw. Whil'
standing on the platform I was assault
ed.
Il did not speak to any lady at al
during the entire day of Wednesday
June 21st. l did not have the slightes
idea that l was going to be ~assaultet
or what for"
Mr.. Woodward says he is innocent o
the charge, that he never saw the lad.
in question. and would not know he
now if he were to see her. Continuing
Mr.. Woodward said:
when l was aqssaulted 1 begged 70
time for an explanation. 1 begged TO
my life. Nobody-citiZens or railroad
officials-rendered me any protection
except Mr.. Will Bragaw, who asked tn,
crowd to stop. 1 was then told to ge
on the train and not return again. since
1 arrived at Warsaw 1 have received
the following kilograms in reply t.
kilograms sent by some of my friend!
to Washington:
Washington, N. c., June %.
Mr.. J. F. Woodward, Warsaw, N. c.:
If innocent, come back quick. TIL,
good people will protect you. You hav'
lots of friends. r. H. FOX.
81 replied as follows:
Warsaw, N. c., June %.
z. II. Fox, Washington, N. c.:
If / am guaranteed protection, I will
go back and prove my innocence.
J.. F. WOODWARD.
The mayor of Washington sent Mr.
Woodward the following telegram:
Washington, N. c., June %.
j. F. Woodward, Warsaw, N. c.:
If you want to come you shall a
protection. w. M. CHANCEY,
Mayor.
This is all the statement Mr.. Wood.
ward desired to make at this time.
II. B. HARDY.
FROM MIR. WOODWARD'S HOME.
The following communication was re.
ceived yesterday afternoon:
Warsaw, n. c., June %.
To the Editor:
Your today's issue contains an &C
count with large display heading of the
brutal attack on one of our most re.
Spected citizens, Mr.. J.. f. woodward
at Washington, yesterday morning. Tht
good people of his native town are in
terested that the world be apprised o.
the other sid of the story, and to thi:
degree render tardy justice.
MIR. Woodward has lived here all hi.
lie; is known and respected by all, a:
a jovial and Courteous gentleman q
unimpeachable honor, and in the fort,
odd years of his life no breath of scan.
dai has ever been allied with his fai,