The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-02
Plea of Not Guilty Dis
allowed by the
Court.
STATEMENT OF VICTIM
Farmers Crowd Into City
From Adjoining Counties
to Witness Proceedings.

CHARLESTOWN. W. Va, Aug. "A
threatened renewal OF the rioting Of
Sunday by citizens determined to lynch
George Williams. charged with criminal
assault has been averted by the activ-
ity Of the soldiers.
Thousands of farmers are flocking into
the city from this and adjoining cOun-
ties in Maryland and Virginia TO attend
the trial.
Judge Faulkner opened court a; 9
o'clock this morning.
Arraigned on a charge of feloniously
assaulting Miss Grace Canode, near her
home al Molers Crossing about six
weeks ago. Williams. who Is brutal
looking negro. about twenty-five years
old. pleaded not guilty. He was then
placed on trial for his life
Defense of Man.
The Government is represented hy
Prosecuting Attorney James NJ. Mason,
jr. and Williams has Cleon Moore, a
prominent Charlestown attorney, defend
ing him. Judge E. Boyd Faulkner. Of
Martinsburg. w Va. is presiding at the
trial.
Williams was unable to procure cOun-
sci, bat, in view of the fact that his
life IS at stake in this case, a plea Of
guilty was not allowed.
Attorney Moore was chosen by the
Government 10 represent the negro. who
appeared in court this morning with a
Wild, vacant stare in his eye, and CULVER
ing like an asFen leaf.
The trial began at II O'Clock. The jury
had been selected beforehand, and the
Government and defense were both
ready
After he negro was arraigned. Mr..
Mason s.%ted that he had about forty
witnesses and as the evidence would be
sufficiently cumulative TO convince any
twelve sane men OF the negrO's guilt.
he would not subject Miss Canode TO
the humiliation Of going upon the stand.
The defense VIII attempt 10 prove an
alibi. II is probable that the trial Will
be concluded tomorrow. but not before
Miss Canode's Statement.
Miss Canode was summoned to the
courthouse this morning. and was i'm
mediately taken to the office OF the
clerk OF the circuit court, where ste
nographer took a statement made by
her This will be used IN the trial.
Miss Canode remained around the
courtho Sc until the trial was well on
and then returned TO her home. While
making her statement. Miss Canode al
most collapsed, but she was permitted
ficulty.
Several hundred persons living in This
vicinity were gathered at the courthouse
long before the opening or the trial. The
West Virginia militia were on guard
bright and early, as another mob sur
rounded the jail last evening and asked
that the negro be turned over. But the
would-be lynchers lacked leader, and
did not have the necessary grit or
backbone to attempt TO take the negro
by force.
Wanted to Lynch.
1t was learned last evening that the
residents Of this section wished 10 lynch
the negro because II he was done away
with, Miss Canode would not be called
upon to go on the stand and make her
accusations against the prisoner. II is
not improbable the mob would have
taken the negro from the courtroom
today had not the prosecuting attorney
announced that he would use a state
ment from the young woman instead
OF placing her on the stand.
Colonel SimmS, who has been com
manding the militia. turned the negro
over 10 the civil authorities about 1850
o clock He viii take charge Of the
MoundsviIle, where ne Will be hanged. If
convicted.
Under District Care.
Fearing trouble with the Would-bs ,
lynchers last evening. Colonel Simms
sent one Of his soldiers, A. c. Grapes.
Of Company K. who is suffering from
infiammatory rheumatism, down 10 the
/ District National Guard Camp on Boil
ivar Heights. He was placed In the
I field hospital, and attended by DTS.
Weaver and Woodburn. They report
that he is improved. and will be able
70 Join his comrades tomorrow.