Evening star., 1902-08-27
Colored Youth, Sentenced to
Death, Makes Conf. ssion.
GUILTY AS CHARGED
RECENTLY TRIED AND CONVICT
ED WITHIN FOUR HOURS.
Maintained Innocence Until Sunday
Last, When He Admitted His
Guilt-General News.
Evening Star Bureau.


ALEXANDRIA, Va, August %, 1902
The possible success of the effort to Sc
cure executive clemency in the case Of
John Lomax the negro youth in the city
Jail under sentence of death. has been pre-
cluded by the full confession of the pris-
oner. He was convicted of having attempt
ed to commit a criminal assault on Miss
Susie Costenbader, daughter Of Robert
Costenbader of Potomac Mills, Westmore-
land county, the evening of June %. AT
first he refused even to speak of the alleged
crime, but after his trial and conviction at
Montross August 6 he became so far COM
municative as to protest his innocence.
When brought back to the jail in this city
Lomax observed a stolid indifference, al
though continuing to deny the charge. He
appeared to be unable to fully understand
the situation. But as time passed bringing
him close to the day appointed for his ex-
ecution the burden upon his mind evident
ly became more troublesome. When Jailor
Gambler talked with the condemned man in
his cell last Sunday the change in the feel
ings of the latter brought forth the confess
sion of guilt
The secret was guarded closely until late
Yesterday afternoon. In fact, 1t was
o'clock pm before City Sergeant K. H.
Cox, who is charged with the custody or
the prisoner, was informed of his state
ments. Sergeant Cox then allowed report
ers to see Lomax. who repeated what he
had said to the jailer
According to his statement, he was in
store near Potomac Mills June % when
Miss Costenbader entered to make some
small purchases. Before she left the fell
design of committing criminal assault had
entered into the mind of LomaX, who left
the place unobserved. Hurrying to a path
in a clump of woods through which he
knew the girl would pass the negro Sc
creted himself in some undergrowth A
little later Miss Costenbader appeared,
when Lomax sprang upon her, forcing her
to the ground.
But he had overestimated the difference
in their strength. and frightened and
thwarted he sought safety in flight after
brief struggle. While relating this story
the man showed no sign of emotion. In
deed, he has all along appeared incapable
of any marked feeling except that of fright.
Speedy Trial and Conviction.
Lomax, who is sixteen years old, was
rested few hours after the assault and
confined in the Westmoreland county jail.
1t became evident that if allowed to re-
main there he would be lynched, and he was
brought to Alexandria. August was set
as the date for hts trial, and, guarded by
fifty-four men of the Fredericksburg mi
litia, he was conveyed back to Montross.
He was indicted, tried. convicted and SEN
fenced within four hours. 1t was one Of
the shortest trials in the criminal annals Of
the state. The evidence was an conclusive,
and so far as is known not a man present,
excepting his counsel, had anything to say
In favor of the accused But after he was
brought back here and lodged again in Jail
several citizens became interested in the
case owing to his youth and evident mental
and moral insufficiency. New counsel had
been engaged with a view of praying eX-
ecutive clemency If a new trial could not
be secured. which appeared very improb-
able But his confession renders this effort
futile.
Perhaps none was more surprised by the
statement of Lomax than Sergt. Cox, to
whom the prisoner had often protested his
innocence. He had frequently talked with
the condemned man and every time heard
about the same story. Indeed. the city SER
geant himself was beginning to share the
impression that LomaX might be guilt less.
1t was said to be by some misunderstand-
ing that Mr.. Cox was not notified of the
matter until last night
The case, which has attracted widespread
attention, was rendered extremely dramatic
by the accidental death by burning of Miss
Costenbader several days before the trial
of her aSsailant.
General and Personal.
Announcement is made of the marriage Of
Miss Isabel Mason Chamberlain. daughter
of Mr.. Harry C. Chamberlain of Richmond,
and Mr.. Joel NJ. Cochran, formerly Of this
city but now Of Charlottesville which will
take place September 49, The ceremony
will be performed in All Saints Church,
Richmond.
Rev. Toxic Kugimiya Of the Japan mis-
sion Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South will deliver lecture on Customs
of the Japanese in the lecture room of
the M. E. Church South, on Washington
street. this evening at o'clock.
1t is stated that the rails TO be used by
the Washington. Alexandria and Mount
Vernon railroad on King street will be
shipped to this city shortly after September
l, when the work of repaying that street
will be continued. Everything is now in
readiness for the rails.
Judge j. X. M. Norton and Messrs. A. e.
Smoot and Bathurst Daingerfield have gone
for a brief stay at Judge Norton's farm
near orion pripca yV;Ilia. -. .a.--.