Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-26
Story of the Crime.

Lees crime and the events Immediately
following 1.-THE subsequent planning TO
prevent a lynching. his speedy trial and
conviction. and the method of his execu-
tion-form a dramatic chapter In the his
tory of crimes IN Maryland
Sunday, June 10, Lee assaulted Mrs.
Barnes and Miss Powell on their way home
from church at Kingston, Somerset county.
Mrs. Barnes was carrying baby The la
dies noticed a strange negro walking q
short distance ahead OF them, but did not
pay much attention to him. AS they ap-
preached a strip of woods. about 800 yards
from Mrs. Barnes home, they noticed that
the negro had disappeared.
When they were about in the center OF
the woods the negro, with a long knife in
one hand and a pistol In the other, jumped
in the road and ordered the ladies TO go
into the woods with him. They attempted
flight, but were told by the negro that he
would cut their throats from ear to ear if
they refused to follow him or made any
outcry.
Crying and pleading for mercy and trem-I
bling with fear. the women followed thei
negro. who led them deep into the woods. |
With his revolver pointed at Miss Powell,
the negro assaulted Mrs. Barnes who faint-l
ed with fear. At every movement made by
Miss Powell that the negro thought might
be an effort to escape she was told he would
shoot her dead If she tried to get away.
Then he attacked Miss Powell. She resist
ed and was sayagely beaten and assaulted.
Lee made his escape in a stolen team. but
was caught at Cape Charles Va. In the
morning. The whole county was afiame at
the news of the outrage. and ii was realized
that that no mercy would be shown Lee
should he fall into the hands of the infuri-,
ated people. So. guarded by Virginia mili-i
tia, he was taken to Norfolk. On the way
over the boat he made a confession.
which was written out at his dictation and
signed by him.
June 20 a special session of the Somerset
court convened by Judge Page, was held
in Princess Anne Although the judge and
court officials had repeatedly stated that
Lee would not be brought there, great
crowd hungry to get at the negro. gathered
in the town.
A brief charge was delivered by Judge
Page and Lee was promptly indicted Mr..
Charles o. Melvin his counsel, asked for
a removal of the case to Baltimore, and
Lee was brought to Baltimore from Nor.
folk on June 21 and lodged In the Jail. /
When the steamer Atlanta docked ic
seemed that<every one on crowded Light
street was aware that the prisoner was
due TO arrive when he did, and as the pa
troll wagon made its way slowly eager, /
curious crowds surged about the steps. But 1
little progress had been made when the
patrol wagon YVES blocked. 1t was them
that the intensity of feeling existing here
was shown. The people crowded up to the I
steps and shouted:
s.He ought to be lynchhedi Wait until
they get him down in Princess Anne; ]
they'll give him what he deservesl'
Lee was arraIgned in the criminal court !
on June %. and pleaded not guilty. lei
was elected to have the case tried without !
a jury, and the trial was set for July s. I
1t took but three hours for Lee to ba
found guilty by Judges Harlan Dobler and
Wright, and Judge Harlan Immediately pro-
nounced sentence of death. Admission to
the court room was only by ticket, and q
strong guard Of police and detectives was
stationed there to prevent any possible
demonstration against the prisoner.
A feature of the trial was the deciara-ri
ton Of Mr.. Barnes, husband of the older
victim, who says he was twice asked to lead
400 men In Princess Anne to the home OF