The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-05
brutal. MURDER
Fra { I N ( |. |.
|ADesperate Negro WanItcnlly Uses a
Shot Gun.
SHOOTS DOWN WHITE MEN.
Fires Oh the Posse Who Pursue Ilim-tiis
Accomplish Wounded and Captured,
But William Hale, the Main
Offender Again Escapes.
Especial Dispatch to The Tlmes.)

ROCKY MOUNT; VA, Nov. 4.-One of
the most brutal murders which has ever
occurred in this county took place at
TerrilT!l, ten miles from this place. on
Saturday evening shortly aftersthe con-
clusion of Il Republican meeting. at
which addresses We're made. by s. A.
Davis. member of the Constitutional Con-
vention, and B. S. Pedigo, of Floyd.
A MORTAL WOUND. q
William Hale, a negro, shot John.
Thomas. white, while driving "a wagon
in the direction OF his home.x The shot
took effect in the stomach and is con-
sidcred r,ortal
s. The same negro walked Immediately a
distance of about q hundred yards to a
group of white men and without provo
catiOn fired and instantly killed Henry
iRobinett a white Democrat. d,
.reaceable and respectable citizen
of this county, and after threat
$ening to kill two other men walked Off
fcursin. the whites, and disappeared into
tho mountains.
HIS CONFEDERATE CAPTURED.
A posse of officers and citizens in
search of the murderer were fired on
last night by this negro and q confed-
crate. Luckily the return fire seriously
wounded the confederate, Larking
james, colored. who was captured.
The Hale negro escaped the second
time. The most reliable information in
dicates politics as the cause of this
bloody tragedy. The Governor has been
asked to offer a reward.
FIRED BOTH BARRELS.
The missiles fired were buckshot from
a breechloadng shotgun both barrels at
the Same time, and struck and wounded
a number besides Robinette.
- He fired both barrels almost simulta-
nenusly and fed to the mountain~s
The greatest excitement prevailed and
for a while it seemed as il there would
he a race riot. TIE negroes i'll the vi
.cinity repaired to their homes, except Il
few, who Joined in the various posses that
were formed and started out to scour the
country in search of the desperate.
Hale is known throughout Frank
line and Henry counties as a des-
perate character. He is six feet tall and
3 has been burned on one side of his face
2and his ear is badly disGgured, He is d
bright mulatto and pitted with smallpox.
Bioodhounds were sent for yesterday
and put on the trial, and every possible
effort is being made to bring him to jus
tice, but those who know him best be-
lieve thai he will be Killed before he is
taken
The posse returned the fire shooting in
the direction from which the gun flash
came. Saunders was wounded and cap
tured. but Hale got away in the dark
ness. None of the posse was wounded
1t is raining in that section and this
prevents the bloodhounds following tine
trail Saunders says Hale has a douple
barreled bretchloading shotgun and Dlen-
ty of shells and will not be taken alive.
The Hunt for til. Murderer.
.,ls (By Associated rPress.) II, stat-ze
ROANOKE. VA. Nov. 4.-tile nan-l1uyit
in Franklin county for William HALE
who fired a. shotgun into a political meet
ing at the little town of Ferrum Saturday
night. killing two men. was still going on
to-day. Hale was located III the noun
tains. six miles from Forum before day
light to-day in company with Larlin
Saunders. q brother of 1Iale's wife. Both
men were heavily armed. and when tho