Norwich bulletin., 1909-11-05
Virginia Militia
 In Special Train
BEING HURRIED TO THE TOWN
 OF eAssAwAY.
EFFORT TO SAVE TWO NEGROES
From Possible Lynchins - Streets Lined With surIy Crowd of Whites -catcalIs for Governor elssscock.

Gassaway. W. Va, Nov. 4.-In an effort to save the two negro suspects being held as possible accomplices in the assault upon Mrs. George Lockhold of Exchange, near here, which has aroused this county in its dastardly details Company E of the national guard of West Virginia, whose mem bers are composed of residents of this place. is on guard duty tonight at the town jail while Company A of Wheel ing in a special train is being hurried to the scene. Governor Glasscock and two members of his staff arrived at g o'clock and the little community ia practically under martial law.
 Jail Guarded by Deputies.
 At the jail where the two negroes. who now give their names. as Scott Lewis and A. Johnson, are being guarded by twelve deputies. the sheriff is prepared against possible lynching. Neither of the negroes will talk.
 Heavily Armed Mobs Roam the Streets
 In the town two parties of men. heavily armed, are roaming the street. needing only a leader to batter down the jail doors and take the two negroes forcibly from their guards.
 |. While the possibility of an attempt at lynching is probable the presence of the state troops and the sheriffs deputies has made the citizens eau tions.
 Crowd Hoots Gov. Glssscock. Upon the arrival of the governor the streets became lined with surly crowd. Governor Glasscock. mounting an improvised stand made from pack. ing cases. addressed the assembled crowd. advising caution and asked that the law be allowed to take its course. His remarks were greeted with catcalls from the rear of the crowds.
 Militia Refuse to Shoot at Whites. Passing up the main street of the town, the governor was not met with cordiality. As he reached the jail steps he turned to the captain of the Gassa way militia company and asked him if ] his men were prepared for serious | trouble and were ready to protect the jail with their lives if necessary. The | captain of the company said his men | had voted not to shoot their fellow townspeople even though commanded | to do so. but would protect as best | they could without shooting the ne- | groes in the Jail. The governor told | the captain that his men were in vir- | tual state of mutiny and would be se- verely censured for their action The captain replied. he had cone the best | he could with his men, but they were | firm in their determination not to Kill their friends in the little town.
 Threatening Situation. After talking over the situation with
 the sheriff. Governor Glasscock retired ! to his hotel. He stated that he was confident the citizens of the place
 would listen to his advice and be gov erned accordingly.
 At 9.30 the streets were still crowded. | the men jostling each other, many | openly brandishing revolvers and mak- | ing threatening remarks against the 1 incarcerated negroes.
 The Town in Darkness. Late tonight the town was submerg- | ed in total darkness. the result of the smashing of a gas regulator with an axe. just outside the city limits. Work men while repairing tn damage met 15o mounted and armed men who asked when the negroes would be removed to Sutton for safe keeping.
 It is thought if an attempt Is made
 to surreptitiously take the prisoners to the county seat during the night the party will be ambushed.