Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-01
THE LYNcHING OF CRAVEN.


last Monday, is still the main theme oil
conversation in this city and nelghbor-
hood. A description of the capture and
summary execution of Craven were
printed in yesterdays Gazette.
C.aven protested his innocence to the
last. He contradicted himself, however,
on many points regarding his movements
on the day of the crime. There is no
fear in the minds of those who talked
with him that an innocent man was
sacrificed.
From the time Craven was captured,
before 10 o'clock in the morning, until
over four hours later his body dangled
from an oak tree about a mile from town,
the negro showed not the least sign of
fear and made no effort to commit vio-
lence or even protect himself.
The lynching party conducted itself
quietly. Not a shot was fired until the
rope had been thrown about the limb OF
a tree and Craven was hoisted of the
ground and into the air. The mob,
however, was composed of determined
men, and the fact that 300 or more OF
them, many openly carrying shotguns,
rifles and revOlyers, demonstrated that
it had laid out its work and proposed to
perform it.
Had the sheriff or any of his fifteen or
twenty deputies used their weapons, the
first shot would have provoked riot
which would not soon have been forgot
ten. The keys of the Jail were not sur
rendered, and over half an hour or more
was consumed in forcing an entrance to
the prisoner. Sledge hammers, crow
bars. and like tools were used to break
into the Jail.
Craven was lynched in the public
buryng ground on the Alexandria turn
pike within a short distance of the camp
ground occupied last week by the Ma
tional Guard of the District of Column
bia. His body was riddled with bullets
Immediately his feet were lifted from the
ground. The hail of leaden missiles
produced death before strangulation had
commenced.
The body now lies buried beside the
burying ground within few feet of
where the lynching took place; and to-
morrow morning a jury will meet to in
yestigate the affair. 1t is expected that
a searching inquiry will be made.
Craven was captured on the farm OF
Alfred Stanton at Belmont station, near
Ashburn, and within nine miles of the
scene of the crime of Monday last
As the searching party were passing a
hayrick one of the men thought that
Craven might be hiding there, and fired
his gun in order to attract attention.
The wOolly head of negro Immediately
appeared from behind the stack. At the
same minute five weapons were aimed at
him. The awakened man rubbed his
eyes and dreamily asked: "What is the
natter"
When asked his reason for being in
the stack he answered with growl
He was recognized by one of the men
and made 10 attempt to deny his
identity.
Craven was half naked, and looked
physically exhausted, and showed plainly
the wear of his three days flight He
was barefo0ted and hatless. His wear
ing apparel consisted only of an under
shirt, a pair of overalls, and an old
yellow coat. He said he was hungry
and tired, and explained that he had
slept but little and eaten less since the
pursuit first began. He said he had fed
thinking the posses were after him for
having held up boy near Leesburg du
ring the National Guard encampment.
He was without weapons of any kind.
The march of mile or two to the !
station was without incident but there |
mob soon gathered The five stalwart |
farmers who had effected the capture |
were intent on protecting their prisoner,
however, until he should be handed over
to the representatives of the law. They
stood so closely about their prisoner that
none of the mob would risk shot at the
negro for fear of killing one of his Gus
todians.
Leesburg was alive with people when
the train bearing the prisoner pulled in.
Notice of his capture had preceded him.
Sheriff II. Harrison Russell, to prepare
for any emergency, had sworn in about
fifteen special deputies. A fast team
was held in readiness, and Immediately
on the arrival of the train Cravea was
hurried into the vehicle. On one side
was Sheriff Russell while on the other
was William A. Aud, one of his deputies
In the rear were half dozen other new
ly-made deputies.
Almost before the crowd could realize
the situation, the team drove at gallop
uptown. The crowd followed on a run.
"Bring the rope" "Lynch him" and
like expressions were heard.
Sheriff Russell, Mayor w. V. White,
Captain William Foster and Rev. Messrs.
Ferguson and Kinks eudeavored to per-
'uade the mob to desist from their pur-
pose, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
In the crowd were many women. and
hey did not hesitate to urge the mob on.
They come on horseback and afoOt.
From the adjoining country many
arrived to witness the approach
ng lynching. BY 1890 O'Clock it was
practically impossible to get within
block of the Jail.
When the noise was heard by the half
lozen or more prisoners within the jail
hey became panic-stricken. Craven
vas probably the coolest of the negroes
n confinement. Sheriff Russell, with 1;
taller Charles Laycock, and the deputies, '
tationed themselves at the front door !
or the final stand. :
The mob was not long in breaking in :