The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-02
NEGRO GUARDSHAN CUT
DOWN TREE AND FINED
Jas. Poe, Member of First Separate
Battalion, Punished.
Special to The Washington Timcs.)

tSpeclal 10 The " ashlngtOn 1lTncS.)
LEESBURG, Va, Aug. Mayor
White held a session of court at Camp
Ordway on Georges Farm here today
and tried and convicted James Poe. a ne
gro member OF the First Separate Bat
TALON OF the National Guard of the Dis
trict. on a charge of destroying county
property. Poe vas assessed $50 and
costs for misGe-leanor. The fine was
paid
Ever since the National Guardsmen
established their camp on Georges
Farm. the tree on which Charles
Craven, the alleged negro murderer was
lynched. has been pointed out as one of
the sights along the road.
The tree was located in the Leesburg
paupers' field.
Craven was convicted of highway
robbery several years ago, and a
farmer, by name Wilson, served on the
jury which found him guilty. After
serving his term in the penitentiary
Craven met Wilson alone. on the road
near Herndon
Wilson's body was found later in a
gully by the road. This occurred the
latter part Of July. 1902. The citizens Of
Loudoun county formed posse and ran
Craven down on a farm contiguous to
the camp grounds. He was accorded
summary justice without trial.
The negro battalion of the Guard OBJ
jected to the tree. and eight of the
Guardsmen partially succeeded in chop
ping down the tree last Thursday. The
authorities of the county appraised Gen.
George Harries of the fact that the tree
lad been cut and warned him against
permitting any OF his men to further
modest 1t.
On Friday morning the same eight
negroes went down the road. armed with
an AK. and feIled the tree completely.
AS it fell. some Of the members OF the
Second Cavalry, who were camped on
the western side OF Georges farm, got
glimpse of the culprits. and gave pur-
suit. The negroes dashed up the rad and
abandoned their weapons. The cavalry
men called a halt. and opened fire On
them with ball cartridges.
The frightened negroes dashed through
the cavalry camp, and passed General
Harries headquarters.
The cavalry men yelled across the
field to halt them, and Sergeants Hart
nett and Eberley, of Company L. Second
Regiment. captured four men, and the
guards of the day apprehended the re-
mainder of the party. The eight men
were incarcerated in the guard tents all
day yesterday. and rumors were numer-
Gus.
The townspeople were indignant, and
there was some talk of lynching the ne
groes after the town sergeant procured
them out Of camp.
The prisoners were kept under a heavy
guard. maintained until about noon yes
terday, when Sheriff Russell and Mayor
White. together with several deputies
went over to General Harries and made
demand for the prisoners.
After considerable parley 1t was de-
cided 10 hold trial in General Harries'
tent. The eight negroes were arraigned
on charges of cutting down a tree in
county cemetery. All pleaded not
guilty.
After a trial which lasted for more
than an hour Mayor White decided that
the evidence against all but James Poe
was inadequate and seven men were dis
charged. The maximum fine OF $50 and
costs was imposed on Poe. The costs
We're $50, which were paid together
with the $50. by General Harries.
The general, at the conclusion of the
civil trial, ordered the men kept under
guard and returned to their quarters.
He will in ali probability dishonorably
discharge all of them from the Guard
tounorrOv-