The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-23
SILENT MARCH TO JAIL
Big Crowd Had Gathered, But
There Was No Disorder.
TRIAL BEGINS THIS MORNING
Jail is Closely Guarded and No One VIII Be
Allowed TO Approach Within Block OF
Either Jail or Courthouse, Save
Those Necessary 70 the Pro-
eeedlrzs-ludicted on
Yesterday.
TRIAL BEGINS THIS MORNING
lspnctpl p,spptcb 10 nc TI.Des,.


xYNcHBURG, VA, Jan. 22-Lynch-
burg will tomorrow remind old citizens
of war times and it's exciting scenes and
incidents, for the town will be full OF
soldiers, brought here for The purpose OF
preserving peace during tho trial of the
regro Joseph IIigginbotham, who VIII
tomorrow in the Corporation Court,
with Judge Frank P. Christian presiding,
lie called upon TO answer to the charge
OF assaulting and attempting 70 murder
Mrs. Ralph NJ. 1Nebbcr.
The gathering of military and the mo-
mentous proceedings at the courthouse
r7arll one of tho final scenes in The most
stirring and memorable event that has
perhaps ever been known in the city;
and there is not a man, woman, or child
l.cre who viii not breathe q sigh of ro-
lief when the last chapter is closed and
the sad story. concluded
TOUCHED TO THE QUICK.
Since January 11th Lynchburg has been
under a terrific strain, and has passed
through an experience shat viii leave its
mark for years and years to come. Sin
sularly free from emotional outbreaks
and noted for its conservatism The city
las for the past ten days realized an un-
s;rsual con6tiop. that of being touched TO
the very quick by one of the most tiendisi
crimes ever recorded. and of being uni
1crsally moved with profoundest conTic-
ttcn that every member of the community
Is concerned in the application OF speedy
Justice
on Tuesday night there came an an
l4o1ncement that Higginbotham had been
ilrntiIied by Mrs. Webber. and That he
had made a fun confession, admitting
that he was guilty of 3 decd that even
: - brute might blush TO own. The negro
lay on his cot and smoked a cigarette as
lie told Of his crime, and to those who
listened 10 the awful recital it seemed
That he was calm and lnconcerned.
TRAMP OF SOLDIERS.
Following fast upon the Identification
and confession comes the tramp of sol
ders calling OF the guard and an at
1ncsphcrc OF intense feeling.
Through various consultations between
Mayor G. w. Smith, Judge Christian and
Governor Montague, General Nalle. and
several officers of the militia, ii was de-
cided to bring TO Lynchburg large force,
50 that under no circumstances would
there be the slightest danger of mob
violence. All along it has been recog-
'''F-'p liisit riSI lIld1piitN tl tillDtLS
Of Dynchburs We're willing TO see the law
take its course. but knowing that often
II is II slight and unexpected cause that
brings on trouble, the authorities deter
mined, out Of a spirit of abundant eau
ton, TO be prepared for whatever might
happen.
The greatest care was taken to cloak
all plans under deepest secrecy. and not
nntil Tonight We're they fully divulgcd.
Military at various points We're notified.
and an preparations We're quietly made.
so that Very few persons realized The
full extent of the movement
SEVERAL COMPANIES OF TROOPS
Seven companies reported in lynch
burg this morming-thc Light Infantry,
Company NJ. of DanyiIic. Captain Shad-
rack, commanding: Company X, Cap
tain BraNton, and the Augusta Rifles OF
Staunton; the Light Infantry. Captain
Spindle. and the Blues, OF Roanoke; the
lIoge Tyler Rifles. OF Pulaski, Cap,am
Iinc commanding; Monticello Guards
Captain lscyton commanding. of Char
lottesrille. In addition TO these there
is Company f, Lynchburg Home Guard,
Captain Frank Dohcrty commanding
Altogether there are several hundred
soldiers here, and they look tully able 10
take care OF the city and See that there
IN no disorder
While in the city the military Mill be
William j. Perry. OF St8unton, with
Major Stanley ". Martin, OF DanVille,
second in command. Major Martin com
Wands tilc Third Battalion of The Sew
entietll Regiment, of which three compa-
MES, LSnchburg. Charlottesville and the
Stanton Rifles, arc present
Lieutenant ". NJ. King, of Danvl l..
sdiatant OF tho Third Battalion. am
Major Black. Of Staunton, battalion SCI
gcant, arc also present.
The panvillc, charlottesville. ana
Stauuton companies arrived AT 1850
o'clock on special trains. While the SOL
had charge of the negro Higsinbotham,
pulled into the depot little later.
NO DISORDER.
On arrival OF the negro aaL his guard,
the depot was found practically deserted
with the exception of the soldiers. for no
one was allowed within 3. block OF tho
place big crowd. however ha I gath
cred within the vicinity, and they watcn-
ed the proceeding with the deepest n-
terest Withou;;he slightest indication OF
violence and III perfect order th4 prisoner
was marched up Ninth Street. with Ser
geant John N. Seay, of LSnchburs: Chief
Dyer and a policeman of the Roanoke
force, on either side of him, and mill
tary guarding the streets in every direc-
tion. 1t was truly martial scene, and
In the quiet hour of the morning it
looked strange and weird and unusual.
SILENT. PROCESSION.
II was a silent procession. the only dis
tinctly audible sound being tie tramp OF
the soldiers the commands OF the officers.
and the rnurlnur Of Il crowd that eagerly
discussed the situation with each other
On reaching the jail, tiigsinbotfiani was