The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-10
CRUEL TREATMENT
OF OLD BACHELOR.
He Was Severely Whipped and
Also Fired Upon
BY MIDNIGHT INTRUDERS
The Young Lady's Ring Snatched from
the Finger of One Of His ASSISTANTS
an Interesting Part of the les
timony-FIeeing Members.
BY MIDNIGHT INTRUDERS
Especial Dispatch to The Times.)

kEYSN1LLE, VA, Sept. 9.-Ihe attack
made on Mr.. Paul C. Tatum as pub
lished in to-day's Times, occurred last
Saturday night. a week ago. Mr.. Tatum
is a bachelor and resides a short dis
lance from this place.
He was sleeping quietly in his home,
when he was aroused about IL O'Clock
by several men seeking Ambulance: He
failed to respond to the call and the
door was forced opened and six men
entered and rushed for the bed, where
Mr.. Tatum was quietly taking his rest.
Without warning, he was caught up ana
taken from his room in his night clothes
and led by the six men, whom he says
had their faces painted, down a public
road that passes his house several hun
bred yards. where they came to a stand
still and began to beat him with buggy
whips that they carried for the pur-
pose.
PLEAD FOR MERCY.
The old man pleaded with them to
stop, which they did, but only to take
him down further into the woods and
again beat him until the stripes bled.
He was finally released when the whips
were broken. and when he had gotten
several yards away they opened fire or
him with pistols, but he did not remem
Der how many shots We're fired, but says
he heard several whizzing near his head.
he reached his home with
out being struck.
When the men entered the house they
told him he had been telling too much
truth.
AFRAID OF HIS TONGUE.
1t is understood that Mr.. Tatum had
been talking publicly about the Town
send boys in connection with q woman,
and this was the cause of the trouble.
AS soon as it was rumored that Mr..
Tatum recognized the voices of the young
men, and would have them arrested
Fletcher and Doc Townsend, the leaders
of the band, left for parts unknown.
The other four. Percy and Charley
Cary, N. c. Wallace and Richard At
well, Jr., were taken into custody. On
Monday last and up to yesterday the
trial was in progress.
Justice A. w. Keeling heard the tesu-
mony and put each of them under bond
of $500 for their appearance before the
grand jury at the next term of court
CAUGHT THE RING.
As the men were grasping Mr.. Tatum
from his bed he reached up and caught
the hand of one Of the men, afterwards
proven to be Mr.. Percy Cary, upon which
was a set ring that is owned by Miss
Rosa G.. Lock very popular young lady
OF this county, which was exhibited
through the trial. and did its share as
witness.
The ring is now in possession of the
justice. Mr.. Cary claims that he lost
the ring some time previous to this and
that Mr.. Tatum found it at church. Mr..
TIA trr is considered by all who know
him to be a quiet. inoffensive old man,
and is highly respected by all.
The crowd that did the whipping have
the reputation of being dissipated and
reckless in their conduct. Mr. Tatums
wounds have about healed and he is
now able to attend to his duties. 1t is
understood that an effort will be made
to get the two Townsend boys, who are
thought to be in Richmond.