The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-13
The Nnttoway Case
Editor of T

The Nnttoway Case
Editor of The Times:
Sir,-I have read with no little interest
the criticisms in The Times of yester-
day upon 1.-The Nottoway Assault Case
by one who signs himself An Old Viz
ginia Stakeholder; also your comments
thereon. Were it not for the statement you
make in your comments-that the au-
thor of the article WAS not only a brave
Confederate officer, but is q distinguished
scholar and as loyal a Virginia as ever
lved''-no reply would be made to it from
the undersigned. But coming from the
source is does, and being so sweeping
and denunciatory in its allegations, some
one must be sacrificed to meet its on
slaught. and none more unworthy than l.
Insofar as the article refers to the
negro and his trial, 1 am sure that q
sufficient reply would be the statement
made by his attorney, as reported in the
Same issue of The Times as the above
article and is as follows:
NORFOLK, VA, Feb 9-Mr. Hugh G
Miller, attorney for Willie Wilson, SEN
fenced at Nottoway to serve eighteen
years in the 9enitentiary for attempting
to criminally assault Mrs. Watkins. of
Blackstone, says his client will not APP
peal being he thinks, lucky in escaping
DEATH
That certainly appears as a complete
geous verdict given and sentence I'M
posed" And that lit almost deties hui
man belief that any such terrible punish
ment shall have been given to so slight
an offense.'' Also If such travesties of
Justice are to take the place of fair trial
by jury
All these are harsh statements, and
should not be made without Il full knowl-
edge of all the evidence, and, | think,
also, some of the surrounding circum-
stances.
Now the evidence certainly proved that
the negro grabbed hold of the ladys
arm with one hand and reached around
her body with the other arm and hand
to catch her other arm This was &C
copied by the attorney for the defense
who, bear it in mind, never placed the
accused on the Standard explained 1t
by saying that it was merely an assault
without force. THAT perhaps the ac-
cused was what the boys termed little
too fresh These are his exact words
as nearly as I can remember them To
accept a free translation Of the attorneys
words, it was that the negro was en-
deavoring to take liberties with the lady
without any intention of using force
This belief is shared by others than his
attorney. Let US accept his attorneys
version What then? Is it necessary to
ask this question Of AN Old Virginia
Shareholder Does not every Virginian
know that the penalty attached to any
mans attempt to take such liberties with
anotherS wife. or other near connection,
is death? Does he ask more consideration
for this negro than he would be willing
to show one in his own social sphere,
were such lecherouS oVertureS made to
one of his connection?
I do not deny that according 10 the
law as laid down in the statute the SEN
tence imposed by the jury is harsh; but
i: al protects
every mans household, Of which the
jury took more notice than of the statute
Were this not done how long would any
of our families be free from insults? Had
Mr. Watkins killed the negro before he
got into the hands of the law. where is
the man who would have condemned him?
In fact, he has been universally con-
demned, even by the best and most con-
sentative citizens of the county-than
whom there are none better On earth
for what appeared cowardice in his not
doing So The jury only did part of
what others, and we dare say the jury
themselves, think Mr.. Watkins should
have done the whole They took eigh-
teen years of his life, when Mr.. Watkins
should have taken all.
After the prisoner got into the hands
of the law many of these same citizens
We're averSe to seeing him summary
dealt with The writer did what he could,
both as an officer and citizen, to prevent
it. Had the general sentiment been III
favor of his being lynched it would have
been easily contaminated.
Much more could be said in defense of
the verdict SO ruthIessly assailed by IAN
Old Virginia Shareholder, but L have
only taken one point, which was adj
mitted by the attorney for the prisoner,
and which certainly has no prejudice in
it. This, l am sure, must prove sufficient
to any one.
The verdict may be hard, the prisoners
life may be blasted. his wife and children
may suffer; but what of the life of the
family whose SacredueSS he first asSailed?
The old Mosaic law may be dead as 10
most offenses. but, thank God, it is not
yet dead as to this one And L further
thank God that as interloper of four
years residence here among Nottoway's
people, my lot has been cast with those
you are yet ready to defend.
AS to what the North may think of the
civilization and humanity in our rural
communities I care but little. since their
chief guidance has ever been one of pre-
iudice instead of reason based upon a true
knowledge of facts and conditions. This
article is not written for them. but for
.eAp Old Virginia Shareholder and his
kind. SO long as we retain the goodwill
and respect of our neiGhbors and friends
care not for that of our known enemies
and traducerS.
AS to the reference to the actions OF
Mr. Watkins in his attempt to burn the
house of the prisoner L do not care to
say anything just now This matter is
undetermined and 1 would not prejudice
it either way.
W. A. LAND.
Blackstone, Va, Feb. 18th.