Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-14

boarded the train at that point. Miss Lee
was placed under arrest and conveyed to
the police headquarters, where she was re-
leased on her own recogniZance to appear
in court this morning.
After 1t became evident that Miss Lee did
not intend to appear in court this morning
the mayor announced that the collateral
was forfeited. He said, however that he
was going into the case in Difference to the
position of the railroad company. Several
witnesses were then examined. Officers
Belts and Sherwood told of having made
the arrest. When they boarded the coach
they found Miss Lee sitting in a rear seat
in the section reserved for colored people
There were several colored people on the ear
at the time. The prisoner did not protest
against going with the officers but said she
thou6--- .ney might have avoided the most
unpleasant situation for her. She knew.
nothing of the law, she said, and believed
the conductor should be discharged. -r
Conductors Statement.
Conductor Chauncey was sworn. He
stated that he had approached Miss Lee
before the train crossed the Long bridge,
explaining that she was in the wrong seat,
according to the law of Virginia, and would
be required to move when this state was
reached. She declined to comply after he
made the request repeatedly. He said there
were vacant seats in the front of the train
and colored people standing up Miss Lee,
he stated, pleaded as the cause for retain
ing her seat the trouble of having her very
heavy baggage which she was carrying re-
moved. Finally, the conductor said, he was
compelled to cause her arrest. .s-
Commenting on the case, Mayor Simpson
said the law in question had been passed
at the last session of the legislature as a
compromise, separate seats in the same car
being provided instead of separate cars.
He stated that in pursuance Of the law the
electric company had placed placards in
their trains for the information of passen-
gers. The evidence. he said, showed that
Conductor Chauncey had strictly carried
out the law under which he was authorized
to act as special officer. Had he acted
otherwise the mayor said he would have
been amenable to the law himself.
Causes Excitement
The case has caused a great deal of ex-
element and comment in this city as well
as throughout the state. The arrest last
evening soon became the sole topic of con-
versation on the streets.
The policemen Immediately stated the
case to the chief. Mr.. William F. Carne
who was acquainted with Miss Lee, ap-
peared just at this juncture, and to him
and the chief she explained the circum-
stances of her arrest She said she knew
nothing about the law requiring the sep
aration of white and colored passengers,
and when she entered the car in Washing
ton she took the first and only seat she
saw, which was near the entrance. The
car was crowded, she was burdened with
baggage and she felt fortunate in securing
seat so adVantageously situated. Moth
ing was said to her in regard to moving
until the train crossed the Long bridge
as, of course, the Virginia law was not
operative until that point was reached.
Conductor Chauncey then requested her to
move to the front section of the coach.
She demurred, calling his attention to the
circumstances which made the place she
occupied most desirable to herself. The
law was cited, Miss Lee said, but she pro-
tested against being moved for the reasons
stated.
The news spread rapidly, and soon Miss
Lee was surrounded by number of con-
federate veterans who had seen service
under her father, Gen. Lee. They were
greatly distressed at the unfortunate and
embarrassing situation in which she was
placed. There were many expressions Of
sympathy for her. not only from those
who were most naturally affected by the
sentiment of the OCCASION but also from
the crowd in general. Without consider
ing the question of law involved the spec
tators deeply deplored the unexpected and
highly unpleasant notoriety which the cir
cumstances had suddenly thrown about Miss
Lee. The arrest was a most disagreeable
duty for Officer Belts. On the way to the
station house he told his prisoner that he
had served under her father.
After the Ordeal.
Throughout the entire time while she
was under arrest Miss Lee retained ad-
mlraDie compoSure, although the circum-
stances could have been nothing less than
excessively embarrassing. She was. how
ever, visibly affected after the ordeal was
past. 1t seemed particularly unhappy that
such an event should have occurred in
Alexandria. 1t was here that her renowned
father worshiped and here his name has
been especially honored and revered. Miss
Lee herself has received significant marks
OF respect and esteem from the people of
Alexandria.
During the past few weeks the operation
Of the "Jim Crow law has been without
friction. 1t went into effect on the electric
road about six weeks ago. At first there
were several arrests growing out of the UNI
willingness OF both white and .coiored pas
sengers to change their seats. when re-
quested to- do SO by the conductor but
after that the regular passengers on the
road became accustomed to taking the
proper seats, and 1t seemed as IL there
would be no more trouble.
Death Of Leonard Marbury.