The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-24
Commonwealth's Attorney Par'eYed
With Citizens Committee.
THEY DEMANDED PRISONER.
He Advised Against Violence and
Gave as His Opinion That !. Con
yction Would Follow = The
Mob Came With Guns to
Make Sure That BAPTIST
Would Pay Penalty.

BOYDTON, VA, May Especial
The detail from the Walker Light Guard
which escorted Stephen Baptist, the mur-
derer Of Mr.. Peter Jones, and the jury
and officers OF the court who We're trying
the negro for the crime, to the Buffalo
Lithia Springs neighborhood yesterday
afternoon, returned this morning at about
8 O'Clock after trying experiences.
The Judge and his court officers, jury
tire night.
At Clarksville the party, numbering
between thirty and thirty-tive persons,
entered hacks. wagons and any other
kind of vehicles obtainable, and drove
a distance OF eight or ten miles over a
rough road to the scene of the tragedy.
TWO-FOLD PURPOSE.
The object Of taking the jury to the
place the body was found, was tWo-foid.
First. That they might have clearer
understanding Of the evidence that had
been given in. Second. That they might
have the opportunity Of examining Miss
Polly Jones, an aged sister of the dead
man, who resided with him during his
lifetime, but who was too feeble to be
brought to the courtroom.
Miss Polly said she thought Baptist
was the man who was at her brothers S
the day before the killing. but the old
ladys mind is not clear, being enfeebled
by age and ntirmity, ana it is not thought
her testimony will amount to anything.
There is now intense feeling in the
neighborhood where Uncle Peter jones'
as he was Familiarity called, resided, as
was shown yesterday when the prisoner
was carried to the neighborhood.
HIS COMING KNOWN.
BY some means word had gone forth
that the jury and prisoner would so over
tn the neighborhoou, and a large crowd
had gathered, which was estimated to
be several hundred.
They showed q strong determination
of taking the prisoner if an opportunity
offered, by showing their guns and max
ing loud demonstrations.
The deputy sheriff, who was with the
jury, told me that the military was all
that prevented the probable lynching of
the murderer.
ANGRY MOB.
A committee from the angry citizens
had several interviews with Common
wealth's Attorney Goode. which showed
that the temper of the crowd was for
lynching the negro. Mr.. Goode argued
with them and gave it as his opinion
that conviction would follow the trial.
Notwithstanding this, if there had been
a few determined leaders, there would
have been trouble any way.
Constable Billy Tally, whom the readers
of The Times will remember as the
officer who arrested Baptist, and held
party of lynchers at bay when he was
carrying the prisoner to the depot, in
April, on his way to Petersburg, where
he was sent for safe keeping, has been
here every day during the trial. and went
with the jury and officers to the neigh
borhood.
Judge Homes, who is not a strong man.
stayed over in Clarksville last night, and
did not reach here before noon, when the
trial was resumed.
EVIDENCE. IN.
The evidence and argument in the case
was concluded and given to the jury at
O'Clock this afternoon
Baptist was on the witness stand one
and half hours, trying to prove an alb
but in this he failed The evidence for
the State is considered conclusive, and the
general opinion is that the jury win bring
in a verdict in the morning of murder
in the first degree. The jury is now in
the room for the night
There was a large crowd here to-day
from Buffalo Springs neighborhood, that
came over on the noon train, and it was
stated that they meant to lynch Baptist
II the jury falieds TO convict hlTQ.
THEY HAD GUNS.
Many Of the men in the party were seen
to have guns, which were wrapped up
in blankets and paper. but when court
adjourned most Of them left for their
homes, being. perhaps. satisfied that the
jury would find the prisoner guilty.
Commonwealth's Attorney Goode has
prosecuted the case ably. and it is mainly
through his energy that the facts have
been brought SO fully to light.
The military has been strictly on guard
in the courtroom to-day. with loaded
guns and fixed hayonets, and sentinel
at each door The crowd has been very
large and eager, but no disturbance what
ever took place.
think the danger OF trouble is now
well night over. It looked in the early hours
of to-day's proceedings that some violence
might take place. but the vigilant steps
taken by the Court. and the presence of
the military, checked all outward demon
strations, and the doings of the day in
court was without incident.
AT II O'Clock tonight all is very quiet.
RIruMOMns I'M 1On1