Richmond planet., 1904-07-30
DANvlLLE, VA, July 27th, 1904.

a., ouAy Gun, lSO4-
Fagman James l.. Armes (white) was
shot and killed, Friday night, July 10Th.
1904 In the yards of the Southern Rail
way by an unknown party. After a
vigorous search, Roy Seals, (colored)
was arrested and identified by r. b
Talbot, (white) who was with Armes at
the time he was fatally shot.
This Identification however was not
conclusive, and many people, both white
and colored were convinced that Seals
was not the guilty party. The Dam
vile Light Infantry, the only military
organization in the city left for ST. Louis
on the 18th and rumors were circulated
that an attempt would be made to take
Seals from the Jail and lynch him.
DEMANDED THE PRISONER.
About o'clock Wednesday morning
mob appeared at the Danville Jail.
1t numbered about seventy five men
and consisted principally of railroad
empioyees, wearing handkerchiefs over
aces TESy demanded Roy Seals
most boisterous manner and de-
nlsred their intention to lynch him.
The authorities had been previously
notlhed that such an attempt would be
made: Mayor Harry +. Wooding was
surprised to receive a visit at his home
from the wife of one of the leaders of
mob, who told him all about the plans
OF the mob-leaders. He was according
ly ON hand and addressed the lawless
men, ordering them to disperse.
WOULDN'T RESPECT THE MAYOR.
They paid no attention to his utter
ances. but swept by the faithful official
carrying the Mayor along with them.
The police officers opened fire. but NOT
aiming TO KILL They warned the lead
ers however that certain death awaited
all those who attempted to break into
the Jail
Finding the guards determined, after
half an hours parleying the mob dis
persed. The leaders boldly asserted
that they would reform and return and
that they would get Seals and hang him
anyway. There was decided feeling
of uneasiness and not until the gray
dawn or morning did the guard feel re-
neved, and express the opinion that for
the present the danger had passed.
WERE PREPARED TO MEET THEM.
The authorities were prepared for
emergencies and acted at once.
Judge A. M. Aiken of the corporation
court took cogniZance of the affair and
acted at once. A special grand jury
was speedily empanelled for the pur-
pose OF investigating Roy Seals, colored,
the night before, 1t was composed of
MessrS, 4. u Mosely, A. w. Douthat,
i. q. Martin, w. p. Hodgnett, w. D.
Cook. j. r. Swain, George w. Robert
son, ID. ID. Guerrant and n. A Fitz-
gerald. 1t convened Wednesday July
goth, 1904.
MOB LEADER CAPTURED.
Daniel Talley, one of mob leaders,
VINO had openly defied the officers, dash
ing against them alone had been cap
tnred, dlsarmed and placed under arrest,
but was later released by order of
Mayor Wooding, who thought that this
would nave quieting effect upon the
mob. 1t did not do so however and
1urther legal steps were taken.
MANY INDICTED.
The special grand jury completed its
mbor, Thursday afternoon, July Dist.
and returned indictments against the
loilowlng white men upon the charge of
attempting TO lynch Roy Seals, colored |
who is accused of the murder of flagman
James L.. Armes (white): w. d. Tallev.
Bud F. Pruitt, Whit Movers. Charles
Prultt. Walter Clark, Solomon Hudeins.
Wicker Armes, w. Bal Ragland, Char |!
les Vaughan, Edward Buckner, N. j. |
wall, William Harris, Frank Childress.
X. J. Lynch, George @. Mills, Elijah
Williams, William H. Mann and Pleas. |
ant Meyers.
THE OFFICIALS ACTED PROMPTLY.
Wicker Armes is brother to the mur
tered hagman. Presentments were
made against Wicker Armes and Bad
Pruitt for threatening to shoot |
layor Harry l.. Wooding and Police |
Rfficer Robert s. Wynn, while in dis.
barge of their official duties. and |
gainst r. J. Lynch tor assaultinp |
equity City Sergeant, r. J. Voolfolk
Ter, while in the performance of his |
ties. Commonwealth ATTORNEY. |
pmas Hamlin fled an information in /
ach case.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS cRIrI-
CIZED.
u special grand jury recommended |
ertain members of the fire depart
whose headq quarters face the alley