Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-25
(By a staff Correspondent.)

\by Il SlaI COrrcSpOnuent.)
Emporia, Va. March 24.-As fitting
elimination of reign OF rapine and
murder. in the yellow light of sickly
March sunshine, and within full knowl-
edge of town and county officials, two
men were this afternoon hanged to
death In Emporia, a little town of I'M
dulating hills and railroads, the capital
Of Grccnsvillc county.
They were Walter Cotton, a noted
negro desperate, the known slayer of
at least four white men, and his latter
day associate In crime, Brant O'Grady,
an 1rishman, who says he is from Chi
cago. where he was born 55 years ago.
Cotton first saw daylight in Scotland
Neck. n. c., where his career of blood
and murder was begun.
TROOPS WITHDRAWN.
The lynching was a result OF the
state militiaS withdrawal. The Rich
mond Blues. which had been on the
ground, and which incensed the citi-
zenS TO Il point which threatened an
open clash. left EmpnrIa this morning
at l1:2l on q special train. The mob
began forming as soon as the soldiers
had gone, and when revenEeful natives
had finished cheering Judge Goodwin
and Sheriff Lee for their action
Major Sol Cutchins, In command OF
the militia, wired Governor Tyler that
more soldiers were needed to Offset the
crowd that was being modified with
the intentions OF Wrcaking vengeance.
The Governor had started another
company TO IGmpora, but 1t was re-
called at Clopton.
UP TO THE SHERIFF.
Governor Tyler sent the following
wire to Major Cutchins:
"Maior Sol. Cutchins. Emporia, Va:
The sole responsibility is on the
sheriff. II he orders you to withdraw
you can do nothing but obey. We have
have done everything pissible to uphold
law and prevent mob violence, and arc
still prepared to render any aid neces
sary. Have recalled train With Cap
tain Cheatwood's company, and will
again dismiss them. Will arrange with
railroad to bring your men back. The
promptncss and soldery conduct Of
your battalion is commended, and your
own efficient services are appreciated.
-. HOGE TYLER
Governor"
To get the communtys feeling in re-
gard to the matter Judge w. Samuel
Goodwin called a meeting of officers
and prominent citizens. They met in
the Judges office about 10 o'clock for
n conference. hliolitS 'ii'~'' ptNsS'S
were: Judge Goodwin, Sheriff W. II
Lee, States Attorney w. NJ. Powell,
Treasurer r. w. Wyche. Commission
er of Revenue NJ. J. Squire. Charles
Baker, j. J. Taylor, ]. Il. Baker r.. G.
Tredway. w. T.. Bailey, e. p. Good
wynn, w. T. and p B. Tillar and others
Mayor T.. Il. Deakins was in the office,
but not during the entire conference.
LET SOLDIERS GO.
After discussion among the confcrees
n was decided to be the lesser or two
evfS.t to let the soldiers 60 Ihey con,
sidASed that, in view of the excited
state of the mob, whose numbers were
being constantly augmented, it We're
better TO let two criminals hang than
to have spilled the blood OF innocent
citizens and soldiery. The vote to re-
move the troops was almost unanimous.
Judge Goodwin and Sheriff Lee signed
the official order and they were cheered
for the act, though they have been con-
denned in some quarters and accused
of lack of nerve.
PRAISE FOR GOVERNOR.
Judge Goodwin said: Il wish, Mr.:
Pruden. you would speak words of
praise for Governor Tyler in the Viz
gnian-Pilot. He has done everything
we asked and did it promptly, ana we
officials appreciate it highly
Judge GOODWIN would not COMMIT
himself regarding the prosecution Of
the lynchers. none of whom was
masked and all of whom seemed 10 seek
n chance To hello send two souls into
eternity. Judge Goodwin said he would
take no action without consulting Gov
ernor Tyler and Attorney General Mon
taguc. The lynchers will not be
harmed. The sentiment of Emporia
and Greenville county will protect
them. although I found number of
conservative men who deplored the oc-
currence.
COTTON WENT FIRST.
Before the company of Blues had
gotten well on their way to Richmond
their were cries for Cotton's blood.
Lynch him!" ''hang him." String
up the man who killed our friends!"
were the cries. The mob madea rush
for the jail. whose keys Sheriff Lee had
given over TO Il deputy. j was short
work TO bring Cotton from his cell and
lead him to n forked wild cherry tree
in Courthouse square. The tree OF
doath is forty feet from the Jail, twenty
feet from Greensville Bank and twenty