Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-01-17

| marx does not mersloH the name
of Mr.. Franklin for obvious reasons.
He knew full well that franklin had
heard the girls outcry at the stable,
for on the day of his arrest Franklin
told him how he had followed the
pair, and that he had heard the
words of the girl. Marx told him
then that he was correct except
that he did not remember that the
girl said anything.
The girl stated even so soon as
the night of the entertainment that
Marx had hugged and kissed her,
and that he had stuffed bis handker-
chief in her mouth. She was heard
to cry out in her slees. that night,
repeating the very words used at the
stable door.
Franklin's statement was made to
New York reporter on the agree.
ment that it should be printed just
as he gave it, and that copy of the
paper should be sent him. Neither
was done. Whyf
With these facts in their possess
sion of what had at least been at
tempted in this cas,; knowing that
the uncle of the girl had previously
driven Marx from his house. telling
him at the time that be had loaded
shotgun in his hall with which to
receive him if he returned; that he
had been known to make insulting
advances to another ycung lady the
hrst time he met her, aud had been
heard to boast of his power over
women; with this aud other such in
formation Ia their possession, and
burning with shame at SO long
allowing such creature to besmich
the fair name of the community and
county-is it not a wonder rather
that they did not shoot the miscreant
down on sight, or worse?
The Dispatch has said in an edi-
torial of December 18th that it did
not "palliate or excuse" the act of
the young men. ] am curious to
know what course it thinks should
have been pursued to rid the county
of one who, by his own account, had
sucha a "big drag on the girls" Order
him away simply, that he might con-
tinue such practices in some other
community
1t is easy, now that it has proven
such a dismal failure, to say that the
expedition was foolish and ill-advised;
but to "hold up" man in small
room, sitting quietly at table read
ing, when one has a black back
ground, good rifle in hand aud
light in front and the object not ten
feet distant, seems easy and simple.
That he was not shot as he rose from
his seat is sufficient evidence to nv
mind that the intention was not to
injure him. As my brother told
Franklin, and afterward stated for
publication, the intention was to give
Marx twenty-five lashes and to apply
the tar where it would do the most
good. Then to order him out of the
county. Many have said it should
have been done in the day time,
so that he would have known who
they were. 1t was done atnight and
behind masks. that the girl, a men,
Der of one of the first families of the
State, might not be known in it.
In reply to my brothers statement
only a portion of which was printed
Marx is reported to have said that
it was but natural for him to try to
justify his action; seeming to loose
sight of the fact of its being much
more natural for him and the girl,
who only could profit by it, to make
a mis-statement, than for my brother
who knew that he had only a few
days at most to live.
As the true character of Marx is
being better known, and the circum-
stances which lead up to the tragedy
understood, the sentiment of the
community is changing. Few now
doubt that his intentions were vile.
and that if he committed no crime
it was because he was prevented.
One gentleman wrote to his
daughter at school that the time
would come when the women would
feel it their duty and privilege to
gather the remains of their defenders
IN one grave and erect monument
over them in order that it might ever
De known that they died in defence
of womsn's honor. The letter was
read before the Assem- bled school and
the sentiment was enthusiastically
applauded. s.
l am sorry to have been so lengthy
in my vindication of these men of
whom / feel proud; but / could not
be content without this.
l trust that the papers, especially
those that have printed the other
side so persistently and prominently,
will be fair and just enough to print
this statement.
could not submit that nv
brother should remain under the
stigma of having thrown his life and
the lives of his friends away in the
attempt to satisfy reputed jealousy. /
could find no scintilla of evidence to
hang any such statement as that on.
There was no jealousy, but "the best
circumstantial evidenca man avar