The Washington times., 1902-08-01
CONTINUED from First Page.)

long after the lynching the roads led
in the direction of the Leesburg Jail.
1t was determined to take the man ic
the jail at Leesburg, which was nearer
than any other. The captors took their
prisoner aboard the train to bring him
here.
Carefully Guarded.
On the train a dozen or more OF the
mob gathered. 1t was only because OF
careful guarding that an attempt 10
shoot the negro was not made. Craven
did not appear alarmed, however, but
seemed to be in a study.
In answering questions Craven was
particular not to make any mention CT
having been in the vicinity OF Sterling
or Herndon, although he was identified
by persons who had seen him in that
vicinity on that day Many ladies' who
were on the car were anxious to see
what was going on, and went into the
baggage car, where the negro had been
placed, but did not tarry long when
they observed the armed party.
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. fast
team was held in readiness, and imme-
diately on the arrival of the train
Craven was hurried into the vehicle. On
one side was Sheriff Russell, while on
the ether was William A. Aud, one of
his deputies, who was formerly a Wash
ington policeman. In the rear were half
a dozen other newly made deputies.
| Almost before the crowd could realize
the situation, the team drove at a gall
| lop uptown. The crowd followed on
run. Bring the rope" Lynch him.
and like expressions were heard.
Horses Fatigued.
Sheriff Russell lad debated the ad-
visibility OF making the run to Point of
Rocks in order TO transfer the prisoner
to Washington from there. or of com
ing TO this city over road. He gave up
the idea. as his horses were fatigued.
He thought. too, that no lynching would
be attempted In Loudoun county. AS
the murder had been committed in Fair
fax county, he expected that the seri-
Gus trouble would walt until Craven
was transferred to that Jurisdiction.
II was not long before the trouble be-
gan. Hardly had the man been placed
behind the bars than the mob gathered.
Anticipating the result. the sheriff lost
no time in communicating with Gov
ernor Montague at Richmond, request
! ing military aid This message was sent
| about II o'clock, shortly after Craven
had been locked up. An answer was re-
ceived within an hour. and at the same
time the Alexandria Light Infantry was
ordered out by direction of the gov
error
The message received by Sheriff Rus
! sell follows:
Capt. James E. King, in command of
a company at Alexandria. has been or
dered to assemble his company at once
and proceed by first available train out
TO Leesburg, Va. and report there TO
you Tor such orders as you may give
him. Alexandria company should ar
rive no later than $3.50 p. m. today.
Wv. MALE. Adiutant General"
The sheriff started out on a campaign
to delay action until the arrival of the
military. The news that the military
were coming soon spread, however, and
served TO determine the mob to act
quickly.
Appeals to the Mob.
Sheriff Russell made an earnest ap-
peal to the gathering. He said the off,
cials of Loudoun county had worked
night and day to capture a man who had
committed murder IN another county.
They had been successful, he said, and
he pleaded with them not to ruin the
good work by violating the law them
selves.
Mayor W. V. White also addressed the
assemblage, but spoke into deaf ears. !
He called upon all residents of Leesburg
to return to their homes and conduct |
themselves as law-abiding citizens |
should. No one followed his directions. |
Capt. William Foster, veteran of the |
civil war, and Col. z. B. White, who |
probably have as much influence with |
the people Of this section as any within |
the State. also urged respect to the law. |
but the mob was insensible to all ap-
peals.
Among those who came to the Jail |
were the Rev. Mr.. Ferguson. a Method |
list clergyman. and Rev. Mr.. Kinks. rec
tor Of the Episcopal Church here They
remained at the door Of the jail while
the mob was gathering. but their pres
ence did not appear to deter the crowd.
Several times they spoke words Of coun-
sci, but although they we're listened to
attentively they could not stem the tide.
From the time OF the capture of the
negro until nearly 2 o'clock the crowd
about the Jail continued to grow larger.
From four counties the visitors came.
and every other man was armed. Wea-
pons were flourished freely, but no at
tempt was made to use them. The
crowd was orderly for some time, but as
the numbers of the man hunters in
creased they became more demonstra-
tive.
Women Urge Crowd to Violence.
In the crowd were many women, and
they did not hesitate to urge the mob
on. They came on horseback and afoot.
From the adjoining country many We
hicles arrived to witness the approach
Ing lynchIng. By 1890 o'clock it was
impossible to get within a
block CT the Jail
But the mob was without a leader.
and apparently they were all there as
onloohers officials who questioned a