Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1900-01-10
4 WHITE MAN 1YNCHEb Ar NEW
PORT NEWS.

PORT NEWS.
Confessed Having Criminally Assaulted Mrs
Thomas M. Simpson-St0ry OF Crime
And Lynching.
NEWPORT News, VA, January 5.-Tht
first lynching In tho history of Newport News
occurred this morning at an early hour, when
w. w. Watts, white man, said to be d
gambler, of Lynchburg, charged with crimi-
nally assaulting Mrs Thomas M. Simpson,
the wife OF ship-joiner employed In tho
shipyard, was taken from the station house
la the center OF the city, carried over the
corporate line tied to an oak sapling and
shot to DEATH The work of the mob indi-
Gated determination and organization which
was remarkable. Only seven men went to
the station. They found the authorities
totally unprepared to receive them and their
task was comparatively easy. Although
warned that mob was organizing in Rocl
etts, Tailor Henry Booker was Inclined u
treat the matter lightly, feeling sure that no
effort would be made to lynch the prisoner.
THE LOOKUP INVADED.
Just before 4 o'clock Mr. Booker walked
out into the yard Of the station house, leav'
L ing Detective Tom Salley, who arrested
Watts on the train yesterday evening, In the
station. AS he stepped back into the corri-
dor to return to the room two men confront
| ed him and, with pistols drawn, demanded
| the surrender OF Watts, who was awaiting
trial In a cell. Booker demurred, but the
revolvers were pressed against his head, he
was disarmed and finally forced to turn the
| thoroughly frightened and pitlously pleading
prisoner over to the avengers.
In tho meantime Salley was covered by
| third man, who walked into the room Of the
station and thrust huge revolver In his face.
Securing their prey, the men quickly left the
station and joined their four companions on
the outside, the entire party going up Lafay-
cite avenue on q run.
POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED.
Farther on this party joined the mob. |
which was awaiting the issue Of the attack |
upon the station, and Watts was carried to |
the home Of his victim, where Mrs. Simpson /
was called upon to arise and state whether /
or not he was the right man. The woman
again positively identified Watts as the man
who assaulted her yesterday afternoon, and
the stern and silent crowd hustled him across
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway tracks into
the woods, where the last act In the tragedy
and In the life OF W. W. Watts was enacted.
TIE EXECUTION.
The victims hands were tied together and
fastened to a small tree and the men gather
ed around his helpless form and emptied the
contents Of number Of revolvers into his
body. One large bullet completely pene
trated his head and score or more wounds
were discovered in various parts Of his body.
The rope with which the victim was bound
was cut up and distributed among the on
lockers.
A FULL CONFESSION.
There seems to be little doubt OF the guilt
Of the unfortunate gambler, House Sergeant
Booker declaring that the man made full
confession to him last night.
When confronted by Mrs, Simpson Watts
din not deny the serious charge against him,
himself with remarking that
love and jealousy would make man do
lnything."
AN UNGRATKRUL CREATURE.
1t seems that Watts came here several ,
weeks ago, ostensibly looking for work. He
vas dressed as "hobo" and applied to d
Mrs. Simpson for aid She gave him some 7
hing to eat on one or tYo occasions. Ac-
ording to her story he returned yesterday \
leatly dressed and told her he was going to .
synehburg, and had come to say good-by
nd thank her for her kindness to him. He b
ollowed her into the house and made an
Indecent proposal, whereupon she screamed
ieizing her by her throat, Watts forced Mrs
simpson into room and accomplished his
urposs, The alarm was given and the man | :
7as arrested on the Chesapeake and Ohio /
rain which left here yesterday afternoon for .
be West. He had on bis person n first 7
lass ticket TO Lynchburg.
The lynched man, Watts, was nephew Of n
ne late General James Mcdonald, adjutant h
ensral Of the State, and Hon. Alexnder =,
well known editor, and Minister 81
, Persia during Cleveland second admins II
alton. liz