The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-13
INDEED FOR ARSON.
A ,no~,n .mberland County Grand Jury
80. a Serious Charge Against Charles
Lewis.

The weather was crisp and the roads
stiff and good as The Free Lance rep
resentative sped across the Lancaster
and Northumberland hills on his way
to Heathsville the county seat Of North
cumberland. Numberless vehicles Of all
descriptions-exoept the automobile
were encountered or passed, and the
typical "old darkey," with his house
hold and yoke of steers sometime re-.
duced to one), blocked the way in
many defile
The old county had awakened from a
winters nap and long rest of crimi-
nal trials, and those who were not
summoned as jurors hurried over to
discuss the momentous subjects, dis.
count the jury's evidence and tell what
must be the result Of the trials As
noted in The Free Lance before, the
case of Ohas. r. Lewis was to be
weighed by a special grand jury upon
a number of charges Of burning. Mr.
Lewis has been a citizen Of much mo
ment to Northumberland county and
the Potomac river country. His first
bid for reputation was when. through
the aid Of several influential lawyers Of
the Northern Neck. he was given by
the Legislature Of Virginia q grant
for the Hog Island fats. consisting Of
many hundreds OF acres OF valuable
oyster grounds in the Potomac. at the
mouth of OOan river. Such a howl
was raised over this that a portion Of
the counsel nullifed. and others of
the fraternity took up the popular cry
OF the oystermen and petitioned the
next Legislature to undo the work Of
its predecessor. This WAS speedily as
sented TO, and thousands of dollars
which Lewis had invested in planting
upon the Island fl ats was swept away
without any compensation from the
State that had made a mistake In SOW
ing, and forced one Of its subjects to
reap the whirlwind. The ground was
upon strong testimony. proven to be
natural oyster rock, and the myriads OF
tougmen bat exercised their preroga-
tiyes when they swArmed upon 1t after
the action of the second Legislature
This launched Ohas X Lewis into
prominence, and no doubt was the be-
ginning Of life which leads so his
present predicament-a life which
otherwise might have been o useful, and
probably. brilliant one.
About the time Of the Hog Island az.
fair Mr. Lewis WAS known as a capital.
ist, and certainly operated the most
extensive business enterprises ever seen
in this section. His town OF Lewis.
eta, at the junction of the Potomac
aud Ooan rivers, grew from practically
barren morass into extentive and
progressive proportions almost before
the people OF the county were aware Of
it. Large oyster packing houses, can
ming factories, shops and various en-
terprises were projected line OF pas
senger steamers was put upon the Po-
tomac river to Ply between Baltimore
and Washington. and among its num-
Der was the palatial steamer "POtc.
mac" now owned by the Weems
Steamboat Company. and built in
Philadelphia by order Of Mr.. Lewis
Fishing steamers we're also numbered
among his personal affects sail vessels
galore were at his command TO dredge
and take oysters from his extensive
grounds. The town and community
were prosperous, and as phenomenal as
the magic cities Of the west.
The day Of sdversities dawned. and
the long running food began to ebb
His setback on the Hog Island grant,
was probably the first then depreda-
tions upon his oyster grounds came and
several persons were shot, it is claimed
upon his private grounds. Lewis was
arraigned for one Of the shootings, but
good counsel cleared him Of the charge
His property began to be mysteriously
destroyed by fire; his employees would
strike, and THE remarkable man, with
pistol or gun in hand. would quell the
disturbance. Even sheriffs and con-
stables were outwitted and sometimes
bluffed by him. Commonwealth At
torneys aud other lawyers were sent
messages by him that they would be
killed II they did not let up on him.
His goods were seized and attached in
Virginia and Baltimore. His person
was likewise put in legal duress. and,
until the present time. he invariably
escaped by physical power or techni-
calities of the law But now he is be-
hind the bars Of Heatshville Jail, aud
though he has able counsel it looks as
though his case was hopeless. The
Grand Jury Of Northumberland, after
sitting the entire day. brought In q
true bill charging him with burning
the canning factory Of T. II Fallin, a
prominent business man and neighbor
Of Lewis, on Ooan river. 1t is more
than probable that other indictments
for arson will be found. The follow
ing men compose the jury Edwin
Broun, Jr., foreman; w. j. Snow.
Robt. II. Blundon, O. o. Woodruff,
Thos E Blackwell and Henry Myers.
ANOTHER INDICTMENT AGAINST
LEWIS.
Grand Jury of Northumberland Indicts for
Second Burning - Also An Indictment
Against Capt Bailey for scraping
Special TO the Free Lance
Heathsville. Va, Jan llth.-The