The Washington times., 1901-08-24
PETTY SAVED FROM A MOB.
Great Excitement in Alexandria
Over the Alleged Assault.
Threats of LynchinG Openly Made by
Indignant Citizens-MaFor simpson
Spirits the Prisoner Away - Mrs.
Payne in Serious Condition.

Payne in Serious Condition.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. Aug. 23-The sa-
gacity of Mayor George l.. Simpson in
causing Willis Petty, who was confined
in the stationhouse awaiting trial on the
charge of attempting a criminal assault
upon Mrs. Roberta Payne last night. to
be removed from the city this afternoon,
prevented what would undoubtedly have
eliminated in the lynching OF the pris-
oner Public sentiment had been grow
ing against the prisoner all day, and May
or Simpson, after comforting with several
prominent citizens on the outcome of let
ting Petty remain in the stationhouse
overnight. decided that il would be big
risk. Afterward he went out OF the city
and made satisfactory arrangements to
have the prisoner kept elsewhere until the
excitement subsidies.
At 2:fe O'Clock this afternoon Petty was
taken from his cell and escorted by Po-
licemen Young and Beach up Cameron
Street to Pitt Street. At this point, in
front of Myers Every stable, they were
met by large double-seated dayton wag-
on with two horses, which was closely
covered. Petty was quickly jostied into
the rear seat of the carriage with Police
man Beach. EX-Sergeant Smith drove
the carriage and the party started for
their destination. A small number of peo-
pie followed the carriage for some dis
lance.
A large crowd of people tonight saun-
tered up and down King Street, and the
sole topic of conversation was the at
tempted assault Nearly everybody
seemed to be In favor of lynchia,g Petty.
= In
prisoner had been taken out of the city,
and the streets presented an animated ap-
pearance at late hour tonight An I'M
usually large number of young men
helped to swell the crowd. The most con-
sentative citizens heartily endorse Mayor
Simpsons action in having the prisoner
removed from the city. At late hour
the crowd gradually dispersed. having
learned that the prisoner was nol In the
city.
When The Times correspondent called
up the police station tonight to ascertain
where Petty had been taken, he was in
formed by the officer in charge that he,
the officer. did not know. None of the
police seems to know exactly where
Petty was taken. The statement that
Petty was taken to Washington was
is supposed TO be Pettys attorney. A
prominent citizen of Alexandria County,
who followed the carriage for some dis
tance on horseback, claims that the pris-
oner was taken 20 the jail in Alexandria
County. which is situated on Fort Myer
Heights. An atternpt TO get the court
house tonight BIZ telephone proved futile.
as no one answered the phone. All sorts
of rumors are afioa- as to where the
prisoner was taken, but each Is a matter
of conjecture. If it could have been
learned definitely tonight chat the prison
er was in the county jail there were a
sufficient number Of people. it is said. who
would have gone to the county Jail and
attempted to lynch Petty.
Cassius Bremen. an ex-policeman, got
on top of drygoods box and attempted
to make a speech to mob of boys and
men who had gathered around Bren-
ner, it is said, was advocating the lynch
ing of Petty. \ few minutes afterward
he was arrested and locked up on the
charge Of disorderly conduct. The Wash
ington Police Department when called
over the telephone tonight from this city
stated that Petty was not in Washington.
resident of this city who was driving
prisoner and officers on their way to Fair
is believed to be, Petty is in the Fairfax
Court House Jail. He VIII be kept there
until the excitement subsidies.
When the details of the attempted as
sault became known, there was great
Indignation expressed. and as re
suit the Police Court was packed to its
MIR
tors. all eager to get a glimpse of the
prisoner. All the minor cases were at
first disposed of, after which Petty was
brought int the dock. All eyes were CEN
tired upon him. The mayor asked If
the complainant was present to testify
against the prisoner. Policeman Beach
stepped up and said that he had been to
her house and ascertained that she would
be unable to appear at the trial. The
mayor directed the policeman to take
Petty out of the courtroom. Petty, while
he was being led out of the dock, turned
and called to the mayor, and asked for
an immediate investigation. stating that
he was innocent and declaring that he
could produce witnesses who would sub
stantiate his claim to innocence. The
mayor again directed that he be carried
out and instructed the officers to take
the names Of his witnesses.
Dr. A. A. Rittenour. the physician in
attendance, appeared before the mayor
and stated that he thought Mrs. Payne
would probably be able 10 appear at an
early date He told the mayor that the
woman showed evidences OF very severe
ha'.dling. one of her ribs. he believed.
w broken; her right hip and right
shoulder were badly bruised. and her left
cheek was severely swollen from in
5uries. Later tonight DR.. Rittenour
stated that. after further examination. h
l.ffHs fle4s n h.1s h-
ribs broken, and she was doing as well
as could be expected. 1t was his belief
that the patient would be able to be out
in a few days.
was arrested at midnight last night, at
his home on Madison Street between Co
lumbus and Alfred Stseets. by Sergeant
Goods. and Policeman Griffen ana How
son. When arrested Petty strongly pro-
tested his innocence of the crime.
Petty was seen in his cell by The Times
CORE Spondent just few minutes before
he was taken to Fairfax Court House He
positively denied his guilt lie stated that
between and 8 o'clock last night Mrs.
Payne passed his residence and Informed
him that one of her cows had strayed
away and he volunteered to assist her
in the search. to which Mrs Payne ac-
quiesccd. Petty states that he then went
into his house and got some matches and
the two started out. and when on the
commons, between the two railroad tracks
After an unsuccessful search he returned
to his residence. In the meantime he
claims that he did not know whore Mrs.
Payne had gone. After .5eing in his house
Mrs. Payne. accompanied by her husband.
came in. He stated that she tMrs Payne)
first accused a man named Fred Hoen
stein. who was sitting on the stoop. of
the offence and she SAID that a colored
man had told her that the mans name
was Petty Mrs. Payne. he then stated.