The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-12
THAT RUSSELL SHOULD HAVE SENT
TROOPS TO. LUMBERTON. +
REUBEN ROSS IN NO DANGER
Not the slightest Reason for Fearing q
L~ynchfng Presence of the Troops .
Surprise to Every One, Including the
Sheriff. Who Had Not Been Consulted.
Done for Political Effect A Mass
Meeting OF the Citizens The Gov
ernor's Action Denounced.
Especial to The Messenger.l

~ 1h0SCtAbtAf
Lumberton. N. c.. January 5-The
people Of this town and vicinity were
greatly surprised this morning when
they found that Governor D. L. Rus
sell had sent a detachment OF the state
guard here to prevent the ~iynching OF
IReuben Ross.
There is not now. nor has there ever
been. a time when there was any dan
lger OF the lynching OF This negro. The
crime was committed in the upper end
Iof this county, about September ist
last The negro was tried before a Jus
tee OF the peace within a few miles OF
the place OF the alleged rape. within
'wo or three days after IL occurred
was bound over 10 the criminal court.
was fairly tried by Judge Battle and
a jury composed OF the best citizens OF
the county. on November 3. 1899. WAS
convicted after due deliberatIon OF the
nFy and sentenced TO ne hanged De-
rember 5th.
On December 4th Governor Russell
Irespited the prisoner until anuar
|5th.
There has been no attempt from the
time or The commission Of the ohence
up 20 the present time ITO have him
ynched, but the good people % The
county nave at all times said that he
should have a fair and impartial trial.
Inc sheriff of the county made no re-
luest or The governor to send troops
here. He was utterly surprised this
morning TO find that they had arrived.
He says that IL he had been consulted
ne would have stated Ia there was no
danger OF n unlawful demonstrate
very Few people are in town today.
although it was understood mat ,ho NJ
gro was to be hanged privately he
tween the hours of 10 and 4 O clock.
Inc sensational stories in the morn
ing papers this morning come mainly
the imagination OF interested par
lies, and 1t is sufficient TO say that any
danger OF he ynching of Reuben Ross
IS untrue and without the slightest
foundation, in fact.
The sentiment here among the best
people condemns the action OF the gov
erncr In sending troops here. and they
'hlnk that ii is a reflection upon the
that such action should he
taken without proper reasons therefor
Raleigh, January 5.-When Governor
was informed to-day that he
was being nounc for sending
troops last night to Lumberton to
guard Reuben Ross, he expressed no
but seemed to think the
TACT that talk of lynching had ended
was, doubtless, due to the presence OF
the Raleigh military.
CBy Associated Press.)
charlotte, N. c.. January 5.-A spe-
clal from Lumberton to The Observer.
says:
Lumberton awoke this morning to
mo that during last night state froops
nao entered town. Inquiry developed
TACT that they had been sent by Inc
governor to protect Reuben Ross. q
negro convicted of the rape of a while
woman at the October criminal cou../
ana sentenced to hang December tn
put respited by the governor to Jan
lary 9TH. and again respited TO the
ihere was great Indignation among
All classes of our people. No such QUIZ
rage mas before been perpetrated upou
is. Ross was in no danger OF Iynch-
.ng- L not able no learn who asked
TOT troops. No one assumes th. an
.horlty- Ross attorneys are severely
denounced.
A mass meeting of citizens was held
ms afternoon. Speeches were made by
captain j. II. Morrison. Attorney R. F..
Lee, Professor John Duckett and 9TH
srs. Resolutions declaring the presence
u soldiers unnecessary and an uncalled
.or outrage were passed and sent to
Raleigh.