Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-02-27
RETURNED TO POWHATAN
ALLEGED Murderers and House Burn.
ers Arralgned IN Court.
JUDGE AUnDlEY PUTS CASES OFF.
Public Sentiment Much Higher
Against Accused Negroes-Prison-
ers. Ordered to Farmville for Safe
keeping Until the Next Term.

| POWHATAN COURTHOUSE. VA.
Feb. 25.--Shrriff r. A. Baush and
! Deputy Sheriff MichaN left here late
l!cS;rrday afternoon for Richmond to
! bring back IEham Taylor and Joseph
! Taylor. two OF the negroes. who are
charged with the murder and burn
! ing OF Mrs. Lizzie Skipwiih and Wal
ter G.. Johnson no, quite two weeks
ago.
! They reached here about ll:2o
O'Clock TODAY. coming by way OF Farm
Vile Long before the arriving time
; OF the train crowds OF white men
and negroes were seen forming around
the station and every possible place
, OF vantage between the railroad and
the courthouse were awaiting the ar
rival Of the prisoners in order to get
d look at them.
Very much to the surprise of tn"
throng that had gathered the train
was stopped a. a street crossing.
al ont 500 yards west of the station.
and the prisoners marched direct
from there 10 the courthouse, the
crowd rushing and pushing to over
take them.
Imme, iiateiy after the arriva! of
Sheriff Bangh ard Deputy Sheriff
Nichalx with their prisoners court
was called 20 order and the prisoners
recognized before the court
Counsel for Prisoners.
Judge Hundlcy asked the prisoners
ii they had employed attorneys. Isham
Taylor said he had employed AttOr-
ney Harry NJ. Smith. Jr.. Of Rich
mOnd. ana the others said they were
without council
The court then asked them If hey
desired to employ counsel and .sev.
eral replied that they did it being
suggested that there were lawyers
present with whom they might make
arrangements.
One or two of the prisoners arose
and started toward Messrs. Ilaskins
HObson and William NJ. Justis, Jr.
evidently to consult them.
At this point Mr. Justis arose and
said to the court that with the eX-
ception of the attorney for the com
monw ealtb. Mr.. Hobson and himself
constituted the local bar. and that
under the circumstances they desired
to say to the court that il the COR:
saw tit to assign them as counsel for
the prisOne that they would endeav-
or to discharge their duty toward
them.
He said thar they realized that the
cOui. would have to appoint counsel
and therefore felt that their duty as
lawyers required that thew should
do what they could to see that the
prisoners had fair trial.
Didn't Serve Voluntarily.
Mr.. Hobson also stated to the court
that they did not appear as volun-
self had consulted about The matter
! and that they did not feel that the
entire burden Of defending the pris-
oners should u put upon enher sing
ly: and that as they were the only
members of the local bar and realized
that the prisoners were without coun-
sci and unable TO pay. that theS
would have to be assigned and willing
. to do 50.
! The Judge then ordered the four
prisoners to Farmville on the 90"
train for safekeeping Those taken
. to FarmvilIe are Isham Taylor and
Joe Taylor. Lewis jenkins and Rob
; erf Taylor. alias johnson.
He then authorized Tailor l.. o. Da.
Wis to EMPLOY guards and keep close
guard on the jail here where the oth
or foJr prisoners are confined.
Judge HundIey Furthermore request
ed the supervisors to secure an ar
chitect and have the Jail here exam
! ined and thoroughly equipped for the
safekeep;ng of the prisoners.
l The court then asked the common
wealrh's attorney If he was ready for
the trial Of the alleged murderers
He asked for a continuance until the
next term Of covrt or as soon as ne
could prepare the cases.
This means that the trial Of the
alleged murderers will come up at
special term Of court as soon as Com
monwealth's Attorney Ronifant can
prepare himself.
Court Was then adjourned for this
term and JUICE HIndley iest on the
! train for Farmville. Va.
I Public sentiment is much higher
4 today than u has been since the da'
of the tragedy. but no trouble Is an
ticipated. and II Is believed that the