The times., 1899-07-17

heights EItQay UlSnl, WneH ueIHoHStId-
tion was made as if to lynch William Dod-
son, the eighty-year r-old negro charged
with criminal assault on Viola Elliott, a
-year-old white girl, were repeated
early yesterday morning. real attempt
was made to storm the Jail and to place
rope around the neck of the prisoner. The
attempt failed through the watchfulnss5 o.
A. w Nourse, the jailer, and vii lam
Nourse, his son, assisted by two friends,
who were, however, unarmed.
The good craftsmanship and the deter
mined stand taken by Mr.. Nourse and his
son were all that prevented lynching bee
taking place. AS it was, for the space OF
three hours bona fide fighting was car
ried on within two miles of the National
Capital.
The lynching party had no leader. and
there was no concerted action at any time.
The first attack was made about mid
night, when party came out OF the woois
on the west side of the jail and approached
the building The men had been ga:he.ei
| from the Holy Hill crowd in George
town. from Alexandria, and from Wash
| ington district near the end of the Chain
Bridge, where the alleged crime was COM
mitted. When the men emerged from the
bushes they were Immediately challenged
by William Nourse, who stood guard at
the northwest window with a shotgun. The
lawbreakers were told in no mi5takablc
terms that a longer stay in that vicinity
would be uuhealthful and the hint was
Immediately taken. When cover was
reached, however, the moo reta-iated by
opening fire on the building with revo vers.
This was returned with interest by ia let
Nourse A number of shots were ex-
| changed, in which IT was thought mem
Der of the lynching party had ben wound
| ed.
For hour following the attack the men
| living out in the long grass where they
could remain unobseryed by those within
| the Jail, and that part of the crowd who
stayed under the cover of the woods re-
manned quiet and but for an occasional
word spoken and the cracking OF the
| underground it could have been readily
believed that the attempt to force the
Jail had been given up. All the lamps in
the Jail were extnguished. Outside there
were heavy clouds and the gloom few
yards away was impenetrable. 1t was an
excellent night for the raid and as the
mob could be heard receiving re-enforce-
ments there was the greatest caution
observed ON the part Of those within the
Jail.
Beside the assault from without the de-
tenders OF the negro had TO be on their
| guard against two men known TO be friend
| ly to the lynchers if not a part of the mob
| They had been brought 10 the Jail by
! friend of Jailer Nourse for information.
Though il was considered strange that they
should come willingly, 1t was learned be-
! fore ii was too late that they had arrang-
! ed a signal with the crowd outside to be
/ given when the best opportunity present.
| ed itself for successful rush for the
! front porch which, when once gained
would effectually shield those on ii from
| the watchers upstairs while the door was
! broken down.
One of the men was relieved of vicious
| looking blackjack and close watch was
| kept upon them throughout the night. A
| signal was given once, but the men outside
were evidently not prepared TO make the
! desperate trial.
The men inside deserve the greatest
! credit for the manner in which they pro-
tected the prisoner under many difficult
| ties. The only weapons among them were
one six-shooter and double barreled shot
| gun, carried by William Nourse. There
were only thirty eight rounds of ammuni-
|
| the party locked up within the jail under
! a decided disadvantage and danger. W. II.
! Palmer Sheriff for the county, has not
furnished Jailer Nourse with any assis-
! tance since the demonstrations have been
made against the jail. Mr.. Nourse refused
| to discuss the question OF the duty OF the
| sheriff with a Times reporter last night,
| but the other two gentlemen who had
come unarmed to his assistance and who
| did valuable service in watching, said that
| Sheriff Palmer should have furnished the
| jailer with guards TO resist the assaults
which were threatened, and to arrest the
| members OF the mob gathered in the sur
| rounding woods.
The entire force which could have been
mustered within the Jail was six men, and
it was found necessary to liberate two
colored prisoners to help in defending the
outside door. They were armed with an
axe and blackjack, and were so thorough
| ly convinced that the lynchers would hang
everybody in the Jail that they would have
made it almost impossible for twice the
number outside to gain an entrance.
At l o'clock re-enforcements OF the law
| breakers arrived from the direction of
Rosslyn and those already at the scene
became so much encouraged that a re-
newed demonstration was at once begun.
The plan of the mob was evidently to
flank the Jail guard, and while the move
ments could not be observed, owing 10 the
darkness, they could be plainly heard.
Dark forms could be seen moving to-
ward the north, where ii was lighter, and
while many time shots could have been
taken, it was decided to allow the first
movement to come from the mob.
A more earnest demonstration was made
about 1:45 a m. man came out of the
woods on the northwest side of the jail
and deliberately fired at Jailer Nourse,
who was seated at the northwest window.
Both Mr.. Nourse and his son returned the
fire and lively battle ensued, which lasted
for several minutes. About twenty shots
were exchanged, after which the lynching
party withdrew for short distance. They
numbered probably forty of the worst ele-
ment of Alexandria county, re-enforced
by choice gang from Georgetown, which
was quietly recruited Saturday morning.
William Dodson, the negro for whom the
citizens of Alexandria county have made
two unsuccessful attempts to break the
JAIL was in abject fear during the bonn
bardment, as were several other negroes
confined for slight offences, who believed
that in the confusion a mistake might be
made in getting the right man should
the lynchers obtain an entrance. The pris-
oners are all on the first floor OF the build
ing, while the defence was conducted from
the windows of the second story.