The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-18
IF GUILTY DA|lY
WILL FACE DEATH.
Young Telegraph Operator
Charged With abduction to
BE Tried To-Day.
MISS WILLIS AT THE ASYLUM
Crime Is OF Revolving Nature.
and People OF Williamsburg
Greatly Stirred.
Especial to The Times. Dispatch

WILLIAMSBURG, VA, March IL
j. j. Bailey, the young operator ut
Grove, the station Just below Williams
burg who was arrested here ycster'
day on a charge of abducting one OF
the female inmates Of the Eastern
state Hospital, Will be given a prelitni-
nary hearing before Mayor Wurburton
to tomorrow morning at IL o'clock. Moth
ing very definite concerning the case
can be found out. as DIR. Brunk, super
intenaent of the institution and the
other officers connected with the case
refuse absolutely to give out anything,
wishing to avoid publicity as much as
possible.
AS to whether the young man or any
person committed the crime which the
current reports charge. the officials
refuse to say until the preliminary
trial. Young Bailey, however. was
arrested on charge of abduction. and
the officers for the prosecution seem
to be confident that they have enough
The friends OF tho young man, on the
other hand. seem to be equally conf
dent of proving his innocence.
The story as reported around tho
city Is one of peculiarly revolving
nature, and the citizens are greatly
wrought up about It. The sentiment,
however. is not directed especially
against the young man who has been
arrested, as no definite evidence has
been heard against him.
Much sympathy to the contrary has
[! been created for him. Miss Willis tho
girl. whom It liz charged was abducted,
! Is beautiful young girl of Richmond
and has been an inmate at the lnsti-
tuition for some time. She has been
| improving rapidly, and DIR. Brunk says.
rs now on fair road to recovery. The
! young lady, II seems, escaped from
the institution last Tuesday night af-
| ter one of the semi weekly dances. II
| is said that she made her way un-
! aided to Grove. Here. 1t is charged
the accused man kept her for the night
| for most foul purpose. and took her
next morning to Lee Hall, where he
! put her on the train for Williamsburg
/ Instead of getting off here however
the young lady made her way to Rich.
mond. 1t was found out here that she
had reached her home Thursday
morning.
Guards were Immediately sent tc
Richmond. and the young girl was
brought back to the institution. AS tt
what evidence the Commonwealth ha:
against Bailey, nothing definite car
| w stiiu. lIe OIlClHlS seem TO DIG nOld
ing their evidence to bring agains
the accused at the preliminary trial
Tomorrow morning will be trying
time for the accused man, as 1t will
then be decided whether he will e
free an innocent man or be put Of
trial possibly for his life.
report Is going the rounds tina
Miss Willis's uncle will be here In tn
| morning.
Father Will Not Go.
Captain Byrd Willis, father of tn
Miss Willis who. 1t Is alleged. wa
abducted from the Eastern State Hos
pital. at Williamsburg, on Frida.
night by a man named Bailey, tele
graph operator at Lee Hail. state,
last night that he did not expect to e
down to Williamsburg. as Mr.. Norve
Henley. Commemorative attorney O
Williamsburg. would prosecute IL,
case with all necessary vigor.
} Mr.. Henley has been UP to see Car
tain Willis, and stated to tho latte
that he would keep him in touch wit
the progress of events. Captain Will
> decided not to go to williamsburg O
. the advice OF his friends, who saw II
!, good that could be accomplished b
: his going. The case comes up th1
morning.