Richmond planet., 1901-02-16
Watkins Admits Felony.---The Counsel
Threatened.
JUDGE GOODWIN UNABLE TO CONTROL, WIT
MESA DEPLORABLE CONDITIONIN
THE COMMONWEALTH.

coach and the curtains were drawn,
Armed white men we're to be seen at
Nottoway O, 81. They did not cUnceai
their revolyers. II
rhe Times correspondent said:
There has been no evidence TO
show that Wilson is q bad character,
and, on the contrary Mrs. Watkins tea
tlfisi thas he was always respectful 20
her. There are few comments on the
probable result OF the srial. Persons
not contested with the case on trial
maintain that il the case ia anything
but one of assault and battery il has
not yet been proven, and the main wiz
ness has testified.
TIE INDICTMENT or wILsos.
Hush G. Miller, United States Dis
trict Attorney Of Norfolk represented
Wilson.
The grand jury insisted of 7. e.
Epss, chair man Benz amin Coles, Wsv-
erly Hunt, o. w. Hamilton and SAM
| uel Fitzgerald and James Edward
Vaughan (last two colored),
true bill was found and the trial
was Immediately proceeded with. It
Was 9 scene long to be remembered
ss William 81. \ ilson sat there is that
court room surrounded by the ofticers
Gf the law and the mighty power of
the commonwealth as exemplifed By
its eoldiery.
His counsel submitted an afidsvit
setting forth the fact that Wilson
cuuld not obtain O fair trial in the
county and that an attempt had been
made to burn his house, sogsther with
his wife and children who were there
IN and that an attempt had been made
IN the county to lynch hin, and that
the Governor OF the State had been
called upon for protection. He asked
for Q change of venue.
Sheriff <. N. Jones testified that a
an attempt had been m ade to take the
prisoner by force from the custody Of
the law he believed o military escort
was necessary. He was confident that
he could get an impartial trial at thiG
court.
Walter Watson, ESQ opposed tbs
molten for change Of venue.
Mr. Miller spoke with q voice Sremb-
Ii, g with emotion declaring that fair
trial could not be given the prisoner
with soldiers around.
Judge Goodwin overruled the motion
and the trial was proceeded with.
Counsel accepted. He also demur-
red to the indistment. Demurrer was
: overruled.
y Despite the exeitement, no trouble
was experienced in empsnelling q
white jury and the opinion soon pre-
vailed that the jurors had been drawn
from the lynchers themselves.
The following we're selected: Joseph
L. Vaughan, Nj B. Leath, M. A
Wright, j q BOrum, W. T. Hubbard. /.
K, a. Green, g. w. Hamilton, Daniel
Sshweetzen, j. w. Cary, J, T. Robert
son, b. +. Hooper, John 8. Ingram,
The first witness for the prosecution
was Mrs. w. T. Watkins. Her testi-
, nony snectually disposed of all talk OF
: criminal assault. She said:
MRS. WATKINS TESTIMONY.
Last Monday two weeks ago about
the middle OF she morning 1 was at
nome, with my little boy, aged air
= years, and mY infant. Wilson came "a
+ my husbands barn to strip tebacco.
The barn is fifty yards from the
, house. Wilson Was working a share
crop with my husband. Wilson had
no business with me when he came to
my house. Wilson came to the cook
, room door, asked me FOX . piece Of
4 meat TO grease his hands. 1 went &
: the closet, cut of piece aud handed
lS to him in my right hand. Ny little
boy was with me in the cook-room. Az
turned from him, Wilson grabbed me
by my right arm, and attempted To OeI
. hold OF my LET'S arm, cried out sag.
!, ing, Willie, let me alone He rsr
O out OF me door and said, Miss Addit
1 did not mean any hArm."
HAD SACK TURNED.
II had my back turned someWhs.
el (OoNTIEUED or ara pAeEl