Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-24
THE CAPTURE.

night.
THE CAPTURE.
Branch and the posse left Emporia
for Jarratt's. While there making ar
engagements to be put off at Il conven-
lent spot q wire came saying that Cot
ton had been arrested at point 1M
miles from Stony Creek. a party
headed by Farmer w. II. Moore had
caught Cotton on the railroad and
landed him safely.
There was danger OF personal vio-
lence to Cotton before they got him in
Jail. a citizen wanted TO stab him with
a knife and after arriving at Emporia,
where several hundred people were
waiting. there was talk of shooting him
down. but a prison door was finally
closed upon him.
COTTON TALKS.
When Branch approached Cotton, he
said: "Hcllo, Walter"
How are you, Mr.. Branch?"
do you know meg"
YES sir. that's, Hurricane Branch
and thaSs the bloodhound Tom. 1
ought to know YOU
Cotton told of the shooting at the
burglars fortress, and acknowledged
with evident pride that he was the man
who sent Saunders and Welton into
eternity. lie said:
when the man came to take us
Vas asleep. My white partner walked
me and told me to get up with my
shooting irons. i had two pistols. My
first shot entered Mr. Welton's fore
head and the ball came out behind. He
fell dead. Saunders was then about
two feet from me. lie shot ball
through my finger. then fired five
times rs fast as I could Four bullets
entered Saunders breast and one went
through his arm. That finished him.
The man with them left when the
others were killed. Then skipped"
GRIzzARD's GUN.
The gun with which Saunders and
Welton were shot was n 3S-calibre
pearl-handled Smith e Wesson that
was stolen from Jack Grizzard's bed
chamber Wednesday morning.
There is now little doubt that Cotton
was the assassin of George w. Blick,
the Emporia aloon-keeper, who was
murdered a few weeks ago. A bunch
of BliclSs keys was found on his per-
son.
w. II. Mason has been arrested at
Arringdalc, and men are out after two
or three other persons who arc thought
to be Implicated with the band OF rob-
bcrs.
THE REWARD.
Northumberland says the reward of
about $500 or more will be diveded be-
tween himself and Moore, though there
are likely to be other claimants.
Branch says he has slept only five
hours since Monday night. He has
been appointed a deputy sheriff of
Greensvlle county for a term of three
years. he says. Tom" the noted blood
hound, did good work, and is nearly
exhausted.
CAPT. VAUGHAN'S COMPANY.
Captain C. C. Vaughan, Jr., of Frank
lin, was wired this morning by Judge
Sam Goodwin. of Emporia, to hold his
company in readiness to leave for the
town on short notice from the Cover
nor. Vaughan communicated with
Governor Tyler, and word came back
that the Richmond Blues would be
used. The Blues were sent. Captain
Vaughan had notified his men and was
ready To start with sixty soldiers IL
they had been needed.
Walter Cotton was sentenced to be
hanged in Portsmouth January 18th
for murder. Through STRATEGY on the
part of confederate and negligence of
a watchman he escaped December Goth.
Since then the officers of the two States
had been on the lookout in hopes of
aiding justice and earning a reward.
COTTON BOASTS.
Troops surrounded the Emporia Jail
tonight and fear of a lynching Is past
In the early portion OF the night the
Governor received Geographic re-
quest for another company, but after
it had been gotten in readiness a mes
sage came. saying it would not be
needed.
Cotton was unconcerncd all through