The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-11
THE FULTON CASES.

THE FULTON CASES.
The case Of the Commonwealth against
certain citizens of Fulton. charged with
riot and obstructing the tracks OF the
Passenger and Power Company, came 10
an abrupt close In the Hastings Court
yesterday Judge Witt Instructed the
jury that under the indictment they could
not convict the defendants of riot, and
the Commemorative attorney told the
jury that under the courts instruction a
case had not been made out and they
should acquit the accused. Thereupon
the jury found the prisoners not guilty
under this Indictment. The consideration
of the other indictment. charging rock
throwing and pistol firing. was post
poned until the next term Of the court
In his address before the jury, Com
monwealths Attorney Richardson said:
'If man has a suspicion that a crime
is about to be committed. there is moth
ing legally or morally wrong in setting
a trap for his detection II two or more
persons conspire to induce another or
others to commit a crime, or take an
active part In its commission, it is not
OUlS luOI ally MIpIiS, bot iSSoiis a. -
1t was In evidence that about the first
OF July Lieutenant Waring, Of Norfolk,
reported to General Manager Huff. of the
Passenger and Power Company, that trou-
BILE for the company was brewing in
Fulton. Lieutenant Waring got his In
formation from Mr.. w. L. Waring,
kinsman of his, residing In Richmond,
who in turn had his Information from
citizen Of Fulton.
Mr.. Hun then sent secret agent or
spotter, named Newman, into that COM
munity to see If he could discover the
plot. The spotter was furnished with
money to pay expenses, and he used 1t
freely in treating at bar-rooms and In
playing pool. From time to time he re-
ported 10 Mr.. Hut that a plot to wreck
a car and kill the motorman and con-
ductor was being Matched out and finally
he reported that an attack on the car
would be made on a certain night
Thus far, as the commemorative at
torney has said, Mr.. Hun was clearly
within his rights. III man has a sus-
picion that a crime is about 10 be COM
mitted, there is nothing legally or NOR
ally wrong in setting a trap for his de-
lection" 1t was reported to Mr.. HUFF
that crime ''was"to be committed against
his company, and he set trap to catch
those who. as alleged, were to commit 1t.
He took Colonel Anderson, commander
of the troops, into his confidence. and
asked his assistance. Colonel Anderson
could not do less than give all the aid
required Newman. the spotter. reported
that he was fully in the confidence of
the plotters, who had no idea that he was
spy, and that 1t had all been arranged
no attack the car at point designated
upon certain night at a certain hour.
Accordingly, Colonel Anderson had his
troops on the ground at the time and
place designated: a car without passen-
gers was sent TO the spot. the men in
charge Of the car having been prepared
for the trouble expected. The men were
Instructed that in case no attack was
made they were 10 take the car again
around the loop and give the ploiters a
second opportunity. But one trip was
ClpuH'l, lob N''cl' NHtJ ltaSNcN Inc place
they found spikes on the track, and stones
were thrown and shots were fred from
the alley, The soldiers then rushed up
and captured several men, among them
the !nformer, Newman. and his associate,
Hanks. These two We're permitted to
escape. because, as was explained by the
military authorities, they had been guilty
OF no crime. but had simply assisted in
bringing law breakers to justice.
There was nothing in the evidence to
show that either Colonel Anderson or Mr..
Hun had concocted this plot, and so that
phase OF the question !g not under dis.
cussion. But there was much evidence
To show that the plot was concocted and
promoted and largely executed by New
man. II was in evidence that he got into
this good graces Of several men by treat
ing them, that no set up drinks gener-
ously and that he invited several of the
boys" 10 come with him and have some
fun with the cars. II is true thai this
evidence was given by the defendants
and their friends, but the great majority
OF those who have kept up with the case
believe that Newman worked up the plo,
and was tbs ringeader in It's execution
IN other words. that II 1t had not been for
Newman. this particular "plot," and th!s
particular attack on this cars had never
been. We do not mean to excuse those
who assisted him, granting that they die
Join him in the plot. No responsible man
is excusabie for permitting himself to be
tempted TO do an unlawful thing. Ii
these men went out to wreck car and