Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-14
Especial to virginlan-PIlot.,

=
Benjamin. charged with attempted as
sault on Miss Alice Game brought in
& verdict of guilty as charged in the
Indictment. A motion for new trial
was overruled by Judge Lee, and he
will be sentenced to death Saturday
morning.
A DRAMATIC SCENE.
The scene in the courtroom this
morning was dramatic in the extreme.
When the prisoner was called upon by
the clerk to stand uD to hear the YER
dict of the jury. he managed TO get half
way up, then sank back into his chair,
to be aroused again by the stern voice
of the clerk commanding him to get up.
He finally dragged himself to his feet,
his face ashy with fear as he read the
verdict of death in the faces of the jury
and the crowd that thronged the court
room. When the verdict was read he
threw uD his hands and fell back in
his chair. his head sinking between his
legs. His old mother, seated just be-
hind him. slid from her chair to the
floor and lay there sobbing until lifted
up by some of her friends and led from
the room
PUBLIC FEELING LAST NIGHT.
The verdict, of course, gives general
satisfaction. Had it been any other
verdict or had 1t been n mstrial, there
is little doubt that an attempt would
have been made to lynch the negro
Last night the jury stood nine for
hanging and three for a penitentiary
sentence. The people did not know how
the jury stood, but believed that they
would not agree. There was free talk
OF lynching, but the good sense of even
the bitterest against the negro urged
them TO walt until the jury made a final
report before resortng to extreme
measures.
PRECAUTIONS.
Sheriff Curtis, however. did not pro-
pose TO run any risks and had almost
the entire constabulary with him in
z jan last night armed to the teeth and
prepared TO resist to- the death any
effort that might be made to take the
prisoner from the Jail. 1t Is also stated
& that most of the jury were armed
5FORBEARANCE OF THE PEOPLE
TO one knowing the circumstances In
the case, and realizing the strength of
the fight that was being made to save
the negro's neck by the plea of nsan-
ny, the forbearance OF the people of
Hampton was little less than sublime.
but, with 1t all, there was n grim de-
termination to see exact justice done.
ana any failure on the part of the iury
10 10 their duty would have Inevitably
provoked serious results. AS it was
IT Is probable that the prompt action
4 OF Judge Lee. of the Elizabeth City
County Court, prevented violence.
A "PRlITENDED Law
MIR. Francis Causey, of the firm of
/. SauSey, Jones & Woodward, went to
itichmond this morning, carrying n pc
,iti2n 10 the Supreme Court of Appeals,
signed by w. j. Payne. George Schmelz.
Il. +. Orr and other prominent nroper-
1ty-owners OF this city and Hampton
praying for a mandamus to compei
ClerS Mann to strike from the rolls of
ING commonwealth the law providing
Tor Commissioners of Valuation The
petition alleges that the "pretended"
law was not properly passed. providing
as 1T does, for the appropriation OF
money.
INSTANTLY KILLED.
Just before o'clock this morninr
Gus Taby, barSeeper for Councilman
j. }. Thomas, whose saloon is in Rar
iiarbor. was shot through the heart
dying almost Instantly. Will McCabe
was arrested for his connection with
a.e Tragedy, winch, from all evidence
optainabie, was accidental and unin-
tentional, though. like most affairs of
the kind, Taby lost his life tbrourh
criminal stupidity and folly. He was
Whirling a loaded revolver in his hand
occasionally pointing 1t at McCabe and
Swapping.
Don't do that, you will hurt some
one" McCabe told him.
Here, it isn't loaded, you take it
and shoot me-" Gus said, handing the
weapon to McCabe. The latter de-
clarcs that he does not know whether
\ he got his finger on the trigger or
Il Wnether ne struck X with his hand.
what happened was SO sudden. The
first he did know was that the weapon
had been discharged and Gus was w.
ing on the floor in front of him dying.
81 lie ran and summoned help, returned
and tried to revive the dying man.
then, seeing that his efforts were use
less, he walked to the police station and
gave himself up. McCabe played The
piano in the establishment and he and
n Gus were on the most friendly terms
THEY were always playing like a couple
of children and Gus had been frequent
1y warned about his carelessness in
handling firearms.
3 Inc Coroners jury brought In yer-
dict of accidental killing. The body
4 of the dead man will be sent to sham
Z olSin, his former home
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES.
The Democratic primaries will mot he
!. held on April 9Th, as announced Inv tho
Executive Committee, which has lust
I. discovered that The special law govern
Ing primaries In Newport News, en-
I acted In 1898, provides that primaries
must be held within not more than
nor less than twenty DAYS of me
y election following. or course This will
,necessitate a change in arrangements
g3sas the election will be on May 24th.
REV. M'KAY'S TROUBLES.
The scandal in which Rev. #. J. Mac
IS kay,Sthe Police Commissioner prea cher
~ has figured has reached another stage.
Il The preacher has now rendered his res
Il zRnation as pastor OF the Second Bap-