Richmond planet., 1903-02-14
DiciOn '
NEGROES HAD MADE THREATS.

NEGROES HAD MADE THREATS,
81 won't cali no white man .mister ~
was the remark shown to have been
made by III llum. This fact was estab
nshed beyond dispute. Both men were
known to have made threats.
. 30 they wrestled with each other n :.
III the sun went down Fires We're
lighted in the old field, and the flames
warned the watchers from the hills that
the debate bade fair to prolonu itself
through the night. The Negroes Were
placed under a close guard A ring of
men sat around them each armed with
a rifle or shotgun
FINALLY the better element imagined
that 1t had about convinced the coun-
selors of violence. A vote was taken
and it was found that the majority was
OF the opinion that the Negroes had
committed no crime and had meditated
none. For their insolence whipping
would be sufficient punishment. There
was no doubt of the desperate character
OF the prisoners. A number of the best
element, having brought matters TO this
satisfactory point, mounted their horses
and went home, leaving the prisoners
still under guard.
That is always the way with "the
pest element" 1t strenuously opposes
any resort to lawlessness, but il has an
acute sense of its own personal comfort.
sun some OF the best element remain
ed. The night wore on. They became
convinced that nothing would be done
Many of the moderate ones began to en-
tertaln similar opinion The crowd
0wlndled down TO about sixty. The
Negroes themselves did not believe they
would be hurt, They exhibited no
signs OF fear. They paid close attention
TO the discussion. and saw that nothing
tangible had been adduced against
them.
NIGHT SPENT BY CAMP FIRES.
AS the night wore on the wranplinp
ceased. The crowd gathered around
the various little campfires that had
been lighted. They might have been a
scouting party of an invading army.
Every now and then some one of the
party would skirmish around and find
fuel with which to replenish the fire
he punched it with wooden poker and
the hames lit up the faces of those who
sat around. Some finally lay down on
the ground aud went to sleep. Others
remained the whole night through dis
cusslng the question at issue IN low
eones' only there was not much oI an
issue to. be settled, The opposition had
nearly all gone, Leaving practical nm
anlmlty of opinion in those who remain
ed behind. Still during the night they
made no move to conclude the affair.
In the dull monotony of their lives
TINS incident came like miracle of re-
het, and they were in no hurry to short
en- the pleasurable sensation. They
felt new dignity; they were to decide
question of life or death. They felt a
new power; they were to be the execu-
tloners. There was no need to hasten
and cut short the power and the djgni
W ana relapse once more into what they
Were. tIhe darkness and mystery of the
hlght ADDED to their sense of the i'm
presslVeness of the occasion, and per
maps awed them little, so that they
SnOught II best to wait until morning
before doing the deed itself
Morning came, foggy aid prav at
trst, but later bright and clear. They
mad eaten nothing during the afternoon
and night. and there was no breakfast
awaiting them in the morning. The
better element were at home at break
1ast. They had done their duty. and
confidently hoped that reason and ius-
tlce would assert themselves, and thew
would hear later in the day the news
that the Negroes had been soundly
thrashed and turned loose without seri-
Gus injury
The two men were guilty and must
die. That was the verdict after the
morning had broacened and the time
had come either to pardon or condemn.
Still ehere was delay. In unexpected
quarters were heard suggestions of
lenity The long vigil had relaxed the
tension under which a number had Ia
bored the night before, and they felt
their mood grow softer,
This unreasonable interposition con-
tinued with more or less effect until
about IL o'clock. Then there was an