The Washington times., 1902-08-05
Alleged Rapist Removed
From AleX2ndrla to
WeStmOrel.. md.
CONFLICT OF THE GUARDS
Captain Rowe, of Fredericksburg
Guards, and Deputy Sheriff Sunday
Engage in Alteration, Which Po-
liceman Arbitrate3.
lsnecial % rhe washlngton rimes.l

ALEXANDRIA. Va. Aug. 4--The re
sponsibility for the safe keeping OF
John Homer. colorcd. OF Lomax. who is
charged with having attempted TO Grim
inally assault Miss Susie Ccstontader. OF
Potomac Mills, Westmoreiand county, 10
longer rests on the officials Of tie city
of Alexandria.
Homer was taken to Montross, West
noreland county. this afternoon by
Deputy Sheriff George 4. Sunday. Com
pany L. of the Seventeen Virginia Vol
unteers, of fredericksburg. known as
the Washington Guards, numbering
about forty-fve men, acted as q quart 20
the prisoner. Homer will arrive al his
destination between and ) o'clock to-
morrow morning. In few hours after
ward the grand jury at that place will
investigate his case. II an Indictment Is
found against him he will be given a
speedy trial.
The Fredericksburg company, under
command OF Capt. NJ. B. Rowe. arrived
in Alexandria ever the Richmond, Fred
anu IOlOLat nan. Odu IGDut
2:15 O'Clock this afternoon. 1t marched
to Armory Hail. en- South Royal Street,
where ii will lie quartered. The company
carries three days rations. twenty
rounds of ammunition ard forty rounds
in reserve. Should trouble arise they are
amply prepared for fight with the
Westmorelan1 farmers.
During the brief sciourn OF the cor,-
pany at the armory the men attracted !
considerable attention, and by the time
they were ready to proceed to the Jail /
for the prisoner a large and curious |
crowd had gathered.
Accidentally Discharged Gun.
At A o'clock the company marched to
the city jail. When within square OF |
the Jail the men were ordered to halt /
and lead their rifles. In doing this one
of the members accidentally discharged |
his gun. The charge went into the dirt
read, and no one was hurt.
Deputy Sheriff George A. Sunday went
into the !all where Homer was turned
over 20 him. Mr.. Sunday did not want
TO handcuff the prisoner to himself, as
is customary. but finally decided to do
So The soldiers formed a hollow square.
with Homer. handcuffed to Deputy
Sheriff Sunday. in the center and march
ed to the steamboat wharf.
Homer walked with his head erect
He seemed totally obllvious to his sur
for during the entire march
he did not lcok around at the crowd
which followed him.
Confident of Authority.
There was another large crowd gath
cred at the wharf. which. with the
crowd that followed. made an unusually
large gathering. Another conflict of au-
Capt NJ B.. Rowe. Of the military com
pany. occurred at the wharf Upon
reaching the wharf the company was
marched to the inclosure where freight
is kept.
Deputy Sheriff Sunday also walked
o that point aad then unhandcuffed ,
himself from the prisoner and walked
aboard ,ae steamer Harry Randall. In {:
about five minutes he returned, and
Captain Rowe asked him what he pro- {
posed TO do with the prisoner. Sanday I
told him to carry the prisoner aboard {
he steamer Captain Rowe replied that
he would do nothing of the kind. as
le (Sandayl was in charge of the pris-
,ner and must carry him aboard the ,
boat before a guard would be placed .
over him.
Policeman Christopher Gill. overhear-
ng the remarks. volunteered to carry the
prisoner aboard the steamer. His serv-
ces were accepted by Deputy Sherif
andy. and the prisoner was placed in
eat in the stern OF the boat on the
over deck. The military company then {
vent aboard the steamer and citizens
yho were previously unable to get I
.limpse of Homer were allowed tho
rivilege of going aboard and rubber
ng' at the negro, They - plenty OF
ime. for 1t was about o'clock before :
he steamer pulled out of her dock !
here was an unusually heavy freight.
nd also a large passenger list.
After Homer was taken aboard the
teamer he seemed to realize his pre-
icament more than ever before He
oiled his large eyes. and looked at the
oldiers with considerable curiosity. He
lso took an interest in the crowd that
o closely watched him. A few minutes
fter o'clock the gangplank was pulled
q and the steamer started. Homer took
last appealing look at his home city.
pparently realizing the improbabillty of
is ever seeing 1t again.
1t is feared there may yet be a con-
let between the incensed farmers and /
he military authorities over the pos :
ession OF the prisoner. Officers of the