Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-25
Lynched by an Infatuated Mob at
Emporia, Virginia.
sAw-FILER o'cRApY TOO
When tho News of Cotton's Death Reached
Portsmouth Expressions of Many Kind
Kind Were NIade-NInny Rcjoioed, While
others Deplorcd the Fact that Ho Could
Not End His Life on tho GaIlows In
This City.

| The office OF the Virginian-Pilot In
Portsmouth was a popular place yes
terday all day. inquiries continually
being made through phones and per-
sonal calls of the latest developments
| in the condition of affairs, in which
our citizens were so much Interested,
because of the fact that Walter Cotton,
| the condemned murderer of one of our
well-known citizens MIR. Chas. Wyatt
| was the centre of attraction in what
| proved to be q horrible tragedy, but
none the less deserved from a stand
| point of justice" as asserted by hun
| drcds of our best citizens yesterday
There was nothing of a very exciting
| character In the carly forenoon and
| as time wore on and the announcement
! was made that the troops had been
withdrawn from Emporia, a feeling of
certainty pervaded the population that
| Cotton would i'm due time reach this
| city to expiate his cold FLOODED crime
| on the gallows. This was not to be.
however as subsequent developments
proved, for scarcely had that bulletin
been posted when the information came
that Cotton had been lynched.
Again excitement became intense
and knowledge of how he died, by what
means and every conceivable connec-
ton with the lynching was eagerly
sought by the people.
SHERIFF SMITHS INQUIRY.
About an hour before the lynching
actually took place Sheriff Smith sent
the following telegram to Sheriff Lee.
of Grcenville county:
Portsmouth. Va, March 24, 1900.
Sheriff S. w. Lee, Emporia, Va:
1T is rumored here that Cotton has
been lvnched. If true wire me i'm
mediately.
WILLIAMSON SMITH,
CITY Sergeant City of Portsmouth"
TO this Sheriff Lee did not reply, and
the first intimaton of the lynching
came from Virginian-Pilot represent
tative who was upon the scene, and in
lew minutes after the Jail had been
broken into and Cotton lynched
SHERIFF. AND GOVERNOR.
AS soon as the news came that the
lynchcrs had summarly disposed of
Cotton. Sheriff Smith was hunted up by
IL representative of the Vireininn- Pilot
ana informed OF what had Just oc-
Cured at Emporia. He was met COM
inE from the Long Distance Telephone,
having Just had conversation with
Governor Tyler on the subject.
The Sheriff said: 81 know It. The
Governor has Just told me-" and In
getting this knowledge from the Chief
Executive of the State the following
conversation occurred:
Governor. l want you to give me an
order on the Sheriff of Greenville coun-
". MI Lee. Tor Cotton"
Inc Governor replied as follows. az
am very sorry indeed that I cannot do
IL. Tor minute ago I received n teln
Sram mat Cotton had been lynchod r
mad an understanding with the authori
lies at Emporia that If / would with
draw the troops there would be no dis
.urpancc and everything would proceed
In peaceful manner. In twenty min
utes from the time I Withdrew tho
troops Cotton was lynched"
Sherit Smith then asked the Gov
crnof Tor Cotton's dead body and the
| Governor said: ' 1'''
II, is out OF my hands. as the hodv
now belongs TO the State Medical Cni
lege. You will have to make nrronon-
ments with the authorities mt Emno-
rim togrt it,"
Sherim Smith then told the Governor
that ne wanted the body to bring to
| ms city to satisfy the people that ii
was that of Walter Cotton.
| QUESTION OF REWARD
AS IN all matters of great interest
tniS was no exception and all manner
OF questions were asked Sheriff smith
many OF which he answered. and MANY
| ne could not answer. The question of
rcm"ru WAS presentd. and in reply to
Il query as to what course he will nur
sue In reference thereto he said:
wont pay the reward unless the
nony is turned over TO me. have no
oltclai knowledge that Cotton was
| ever caught.
The circulars sent broadcast over
the country stated that I would nav
the reward offered for the dn,ivory ~
| wafer cotton to me in any jail i'm the
United states. I made application for
| MN yesterday" continued the Shcr
ift. and Mr.. Lee. the Sheriff of Green
VIE said positively and cmphatically
that he had Cotton, and that l could
net get him.
MESSAGE CAME LATE.
1T was after o'clock considerably
| when the following telegram was re-
ceivcd here in reply 10 the one sent TO
Sheriff Lee at AS O'clock in the morn
ing. 1t came just two hours and TWEEN
tytwo minutes after Cotton had bnnn
hung and his body riddlcd with mi
lets:
Emporia. Va. March "a.
1907 O'clock p. NJ
Sergeant Williamson Smith. Ports
mouth. Va:
Cotton has just been lynched.
s. w. LEE. sheriff
MOORE CLAIMS REWARD.
That there will be a DISPUTE MS 70
who is entitled to the reward there is;
no doubt. as 1T is understood that
Hurricane" Branch lays claim 10 il.
While Moore and the man witt, him
are interested In that to them very i'm
portant matter.
Friday night Mayor Baird received
a message by telegraph from Moore,
asking him To hold the reward. as he
would furnish proof that he captured
Cotton.
To-day the Mayor received another
wire message from Moore, as follows:
To the Mayor OF Portsmouth:
arrested Walter Cootcn. Hold re-
ward. Will furnish PROOF
w. Y. MOORE.
THE WHITE MAN O'GRADY
|. Durino Cottau's confinement tle