West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-08-04
ATTEMPT TOLYNCH
UNSUCCESSFUL.
Armed Body or Men Attempt 90 Lynch
the Rapist. Williams But
Are Fooled
From the Fairmont Times.

Charles Town. W. VA. Aug The olC
town has something to taM about this morn
Ing. Last night was beautiful one and
the rattle of wheels and the hoofheats OF
horses were heard on every street an might
long coming in from all parts Of the county
some TO help aud some 10 see the lynchine
OF Williams, the negro rapist
The officers in command OF the National
Guard were fully alert to the situation and
had Information that the mob was forminc
for an attack on the jail, aud between 10
and II o'clock both companies were lined
up and thirty rounds OF ammunition issued
to each man guard OF IS picked men
were sleeping on their arms In the Jail and
the negro was praying hard. knowing what
was coming. Just after midnight Il was
reported that the mob was coming and
both companies were marched out and took
position in front Of the jail aud ordered
to load and fix bayoncts,
There were crowds on every street cor.
ner except about the jail ready to Join the
mob which was forming on the outskirts OF
the town. Between and O'Clock mob
oil several hundred men marched up the
main street aud halted in sight OF the
troops. They were standing like regulars
every man OF both companies ready for
business and taking Il as cody as IL on
dress parade A committee from the mob
than came up and demanded the prisoner.
They were promptly arrested aud hustled
in jail and made prisoners themselves.
They were searched aud a gun was found
on each man. Colonel Simms then read
the riot act' TO the mob aud commanded
them to dispense inside OF FIVE minutes
They did not need all that time. but they
formed again aud had to be moved at the
point OF the bayonet
Everything quoted down again till about
four O'Clock. when another excitement was
started by crowd coming up street hard
as they could drive a mule team and shoot.
ing and yelling to start stampede. They
were promptly captured and the leader
hustled TO jail and the rest ordered out OF
town az once. and they went
Next came three men on horseback. who
were halted, arrested and searched and
more guns found. In fact every man seemed
be loaded either with guns or liquor or
both but the promptness and GOODNESS of
wv ohNtla duu men saved any blOOdShCd
and the situation is well in hand and no
more trouble IS expected before to morrow
when the trial will take place. A large
crowd is expected aud violence apprehend.
ed. The rioters in jail this morning are
Claiborne Porterfeld, son OF the cashier
OF the bank OF Charles Town and David
Fulton rural mail carrier OF this place.
Four men are from Shenandoah as follows.
william Elliott G. T. IIausennuck. Francis
Yates. Ed Wood. also Clarence Snider OF
summit Point: Sam Walker OF Dufields
w. Va. and Grantham O'Brien OF Clarke
county Va. who are anxious TO be re.
leased
Regarding the gravity OF the oGense OF |
OF meeting and leading riot il being |
felony the punishment is from two TO five |
years in the penitentiary.
Reliable Information was received 10y
Col Simms that buggy load OF dynamite
was in possession Of the mob. Men are
continuously on duty now SO hours.