The Washington times., 1902-08-12
Upbraids Citizens Who
Took Part in Craven /
Lynching.
GRAND JURY MET YESTERDAY
Charge Delivered by Judge rebbs in
Loudoun County, Va, Court House
Reviewed the Craven Hanging
enbach Gives Himself Up.
Special to The Washington Times. !


LEESBURG, Va. Aug. 1.-THE grand
jury which is 10 investigate the lynch
ing of Charles Craven by a Loudoun
county mob on Thursday. July 81. met in
the county courthouse here this morn
ing and heard a number OF witnesses
who gave testimony before the coroner's
inquest
Throngs of people from all sections Of
this and adjoining counties were pres
ent when Judge Tebbs convened court.
They Listened intently to the charge to
members of the jury. Twelve men were
summoned. two from each OF the six
districts. Two of them, who are officials
OF the county, were excused The fol-
lowing ten men were selected: s. s.
Lutz. Henry Harrison. Alfred Stanton.
E. W. Presgraves. K. R. Walker. R. W.
Braden, John H. Bowers, J. W. H.
Grimm, William Fletcher, and yolney
Osborne.
Charge to the Jury.
Judge Tebbs' charge to the fury was
comprehensive and covered minutely
every detail connected with the crime.
He said he appreciated that the duty
confronting them was an onerous one
which no man would seek, yet none
could shirk.
You are to inquire into the death
which only few days since Charles
Craven met at the hands OF mob" he
continued. why is this killing OF
Craven so important? you ask Was he
such an important citizen, or can mis-
loss be so hardly borne? No. In his
death the State sustains no loss. Barn
burner. highway robber murderer Most
likely his crime stained soul has passed
to answer before his maker for deeds
done in the flesh, and none, not even
his old mother. bewails his fate. Was
II simply that he was murdered? No.
other murders are daily happening in
this broad land. yet they do not shock
US like this one. As citizens we view
crimes only as they affect the Common
wealth"
Distinguished From Other Crimes.
He said there were circumstances that
distinguish the iynching from other
crimes and caused the eyes of all man
kind TO be turned upon Loudoun county
in sad astonishment. There was no ex-
cuse. he said, for the commission of the
crime.
I'VE live under laws and a govern
ment," he said. "the heritage of our
forefathers, enjoying under these their
laws, for which they fought and bled
and died. the noble heritage of protec-
tion in life, liberty. and the pursuit of
happiness. Without reason or excuse
merely to glut their mad passion for
lawless and useless vengeance. in de-
fance OF the laws OF God and man; in
open daylight. with reckless disre-
gard for the rights, nay, the very lives
of others; with the declared purpose, IL
necessary to the accomplishment of
their fell design, to take the lives of
our best citizens; careless Of the honor
and fair name of this, their native
land. this lawless mob overpowered the
officers OF justice, broke into and in
iured our Jail. imbrued their hands in
human blood and brought down shame
and disgrace upon us.
Good People Involved.
And. gentlemen. this is not all, nor
the worst. of the sad story. Saddest Of
all is to consider the character of the
men who did this deed. This mob was
composed only I am told. in small de-
gree of the base and degraded among u.s.
It consisted largely of men from whom
We had the right to expect better things;
men OF standing and education in the
Iomuunity; men whom we should ex-
pect to find upholding and maintaining,
ready to fight for. even 10 die for, the
laws and rights and government SO dear
10 their ancestors. and these men were
he leaders in needless violence. in rank
awlessness. If such things are to be
upheld by the good people of this land,
hen God save old Loudoun-God save
virg:nia.
Gentlemen. not in anger or indigna-
ion. but oppressed with sorrow. and
with a full sense of the responsibility
-estiug upon ME. have l spoken. have
ndeavored faithfully to discharge M
worn duty under the laws. Most sir
'erely do l trust that many of the
Zen have already seen, or will yet SCI
be error OF tteir ways. and in the p
ure Will be true defenders of that gsa.
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