Evening star., 1902-07-31

officers discovered him with his heavy bur-
6en.. Craven was supposed to have been
two miles from there at that time.
Charlie" said Town Sergeant Edwards
as he leveled his Winchester rifle at the
man in the corn field. "dont run or II
shoot you
Dropping his sweater and contents
Charles beat a hasty retreat and as already
stated the bullets sent In his direction did
not stop him. Sheriff Russell fired one shot,
but Craven was then some distance away
and making toward the creek.
A Novel Spectacle.
Early in the morning when Hurricane
Branch, with his dogs, the county ofnciais
and ysunteers, started from the Dranes-
VILE Hotel, where many of the party had
spent the night. the sight was novel one
to the residents of the village. Not IN
twenty years more had so brutal crime
been committed in that section, and no one
in the town had ever seen such party OF
man-hunters before. Just before the start
was made a telephone message from Sterl-
ing gave the information that craven nao
been seen to cross road about mile from
Dranesvlle. Those who were in the dln-
ing room did not take time to finish break
fast. They mounted their horses and start
ed in hurry for the cross roads. Before
they had gone many hundred yards the
first trail of the day was obtained Ihen
commenced the work of taking down bars
and cutting barbed wire fences. Men on
horseback and even some who were in car
riages galloped across fields and over ra-
vines, while many of the party went around
the road hoping they would be able to heao
off the fugitive. At the crossroads the
footprints of the man were clearly seen In
the mud, and when the dogs reached this
point the men fell in and followed them.
From time to time the cfowd increased
until there were nearly three hundred
m members Of the posse, each man having
from one to three weapons. All day long
these determined men galloped here and
there in search of the colored man. not
even stopping for dinner, and before night
some of them were about exhausted. so
many men were absent from their homes
Tuesday night that the female members of
their families were somewhat alarmed. In
many instances two or three families spent
the night in one house, with a man to guard
them.
Funeral of the Victim.
The funeral Of Mr.. Wilson occurred yes
terday and there was large attendance de-
spite the number of men who were en-
gagged in the search for his alleged slayer.
Religious services over the remains were
conducted by the Rev. s. B. Dolly, pastor
of the Methodist Church at Sterling, who
made a feeling address, paying but little
reference to the crime Those who deliv-
cred short addresses upon the life and char
acter of the deceased were the Rev. Mr..
Church, Rev. B. A. Shreeves, g Metho-
dist divine, and the Rev. G. w. Popkins, a
Baptist minister.
In searching for motive for Craven's
crime residents of the county believe he
killed Mr. Wilson because the latter had
been a member of the jury in his case
when he was convicted of arson and sent
to the penitentiary for three years. Some of
those who have given the matter more care
full consideration, however, believe such was
not his motive. 1t was learned yesterday
that since Craven robbed a boy on the road
a week ago he kept out Of the way Of the
Loudoun county officers and purchased
revolver. This weapon he had displayed to
a number Of persons, including a small col
ored boy whom he frightened by threaten
ing to shoot. He was in several difficulties
and boasted that 1t was his intention to
greatly reduce the white population of the
county. Mr.. Wl.son was mentioned as one
Of his first victims, as was prominent
physician in the county, but he did not get
an opportunity to use his weapon on the
physician before he found himself so closely
pursued.
The place selected for commission of the
crime Is a particularly lonely spot near a
stream through which horses are driven to
one side of the bridge. Craven seated him
self under bush near this bridge and
conversed with number Of drivers and
pedestrians. 1t so happened that when he
addressed those who were ahead OF Mr..
Wilson some one else was near and would
have seen him had he fired at on Of them.
Mr. Wilson came along alone on his way
home from Herndon, and there was no one
on the road to witness the preparation of
the foul crime save the murderer and his
victim.
Craven Made Threats.
During the: time he sat there waiting
Craven exhibited his weapon several times
and made statements which indicated his
intention to unlawfully use the 3s-caliber
Bull Dog revolver. What he did with the
weapon after firing the faatl shot is not
known. Some surprise was expressed at
his failure to return the fire on one of the
occasions of his being fired upon.
Many times while the search was being
made the question Of punishment was dis
cussed. There were but few persons in the
party other than the county officers who
even suggested anything other than lynch
ing. Frequetly men were heard to advise
others not to shoot him to death in the event
Of his capture unless all those In the search
were present. Many of them suggested
that death should be by hanging and that
the armed men should be given the privi-
lege Of riddling the body with bullets.
Arrest Then Might Have Prevented
Murder.
1t has just come to light that Charles
Craven. who is wanted for the murder OF
William H. Wilson, narrowly escaped cap
ture last Thursday night by officers Of the
District National Guard during the annual
encampment at Leesburg. but he was not
then wanted for murder. Willie Steadman,
who obtained permission to sell pies and
cakes to the soldiers, was held up by Cra-
Ven last Thursday and robbed Of $3.50,
which he had earned After notifying the
authorities at Leesburg of the incident he
informed several of the officers in camp Of
the robbery.
Lieut.. George A. Won Dachenhausen,
quartermaster 5th Battalion District of Co.
lumbia National Guard, obtained permis-
sion from General George H. Harries to
make an effort to capture Craven. He
quickly located one Of the colored men en-
ployed about the camp, who informed
Lieut.. Won DachenhauSen that he could lay
his hands on Craven If he wanted to.
In company with Capt. Thomas Marion
and Lieut.. E. H. -Neumeyer and the colored
driver. Lieut.. Won Dachenhausen proceeded