Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-24
AN EXCITED CROWD ON KING
STREET.

LARGE GATHERINGS ANXIOUS FOR A
LYNCHING THIRSTY FOR BLoOD-A
DISAPPOINTED CROWD.
Tnere was blood on the moon last
night and, as had been the case twice
recently, hordes of people, mostly
young. were clamoring for the excite
ment incident to lynchipg. There
was thirst for blood, and when il was
learned that the object Of mob vengeance
had been spirited out of the city there
was exaspiration and disappointment.
The game had flown and the would~be
avengers became sullea end At la'e
hour sauntered toward their homes as
sukily as boys who had been KEEP from
attending circus. They probably feel
better this morning than would have
been the case had they dropped into
their beds with the picture OF az IN
happy wretch dangling from a lamp
post on their retinas.
Early yesterday morning the story OF
the crime for which Willis Pettey had
been arrested was industriously clrcu-
lated and its horrors added to and ex-
travaeautly described. Youngsters in
knee pants whose reading consists most
OF the Jesse James series Of classics
stood with opened mouths and listened
to the vivid descriptions OF the assault
aud the burning alive, haying and hang
ing OF culprits in other places. Thrills OF
Rlee shot through them akin TO those
incited by bonfire on circus band
wagon, and by dark all who could es-
cape the eyes OF anxious parents were
corraled on curbstones on King street
anxiously anticipating the buchery OF
q human being. Cassius Bremen, an
ex.policemsU, wh0 had tarried rath-
or long at the wine, mounted g nail
keg aud with cleaning eyes animated
TIE souls OF the hedglings by demand
ing in the name of an outraged COM
munily immediate vengeance upon the
bapless Pettey. A policeman brought
the haransue to an abrupt termination
bv carving the orator to the station
house. This morning the Mayor fined
him $40 and in default Of payment he
will be sent to the chain gang.
The crowd grew visibly every
minute, and King street from Washing
ton to Fairfax became as thick win
people rs when Q parade is passing
There was blood in the air but no dis
order. The police kept in view and
there were no serious demonstrations
although the firing Of pistol or dos
fight would probably have precipltased
trouble.
While all this was going on the
query, Where has Pettey been sent
was asked over and over. No OBJ
could give a satisfactory answer. Th'
police knew, but their lips were her
me.lel,ly sealed. SINE thought 81
nrlsooer was in the county jail. l
seemed as though he was from the fac
that no answer could be obtained from
teleDhoue calls made 10 the county
Numbers LETT the city and proceeded t
the new county courthouse, and eithe
satisfied themselves he was not Their
ar we're apprehensiye of the results OF
Recommendations and left the Deighbor
hood. Bands OF men from certain
points 10 the county are SAID 70 nsV
p also been 90 the lookout for Pettey
Fairfax Courthouse was foally ike
upon ss the place where Pettey had 0e'
taken. The telephone was soon link
ling there. The answer quickly cam
to the effect that the prisoner was no
there. The crowd grew FESTIVE. In
"iun" had been spoiled They wer
destined to return to their homes wit
their morbid sppstltes unsatatec
Evidently o few thought someood
ought to be lynched on general prin
clples, and that the crowd should nc
be compelled to stray off without som
experience to produce pleasant dreams
The particulars concerning the GRIN
for which Pettey was arrested wer
given In yesterdays Gazette. Whe
ne was arranged in the Police CouI
yesterday morning DR.. A. A. Rltenoul
who Is attending Mrs. Payne, Peltey
alleged victim, stated that his pstier
was not in condition to appear 10 cour
and Mayor Simpson continued th
hearing until such time as she NAV b
able to appear. AS Peitey was beio
led back to the prisoners room b
turned aud asseverated mis- iunocenc,
claiming that be was at home when tb
alleged assault was committed. Tn