Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-03-23
THEY WILL Be ARRA|GME9 TODAY
All But One Of Accused Removed
From kienrico Jaii-Some Fear Mob
vioIence-Large Crowds OF Both
colors Meet 1rain-Later Reports
Are More Measuring.
CBv Associated PJ eSS.)

.hcSF<lCf - ~ w WV 49,
22-When the train bearing Stephne%
Johnson, Robert Taylor and Fleming
Johnson arrived in Mos'ley's juno
ton shortly after noon today it was
me, by a large crowd of negroes ana
whites who showed the greatest Gu
riositv in regarl to the prisoners. Dep
utics Traylor and Burch, who have
charge of the negroes, anticipating
trouble, hustled the prisoners into the
special car prepared for them and re-
fused admittance TO anyone.
After getting a good look at the
negroes however the crowd Is grad
ually dispensing in good order.
A traveller from Powhatan who
came through the courthouse this
morning stated that large number
of men had already gathered at the
courthouse and there was some ex-
pectation OF trouble there tonight.
Every Preeaution taken.
Every precaution Is being taken BY
the officers to prevent trouble, and
special guard of eighteen men arrived
with shot-g,lns and will watch the
prisoners all night.
The fact that all of the negroes have
confessed to being implicated in the
crime and that only . portion OF them
is expected to receive the death pen.
al,y does not go we'll with the citizens
of the county who think that all are
guilty and should suffer.
For this reason it is believed that
there NAV be trouble at the court
house tonight.
Feeling Strong Against Brown:
On account of the feeling shown
against John brown. charged with
complici:y in the murder of Mrs. Mary
f. Skipwith and Walter G.. Johnson in
Powhatan county February II. and the
burning of the historic Skipwith home.
Southeast that prisoner. who has
been confined in the HenricO county
Jail for several weeks was. as q mat
ter OF precautiOn. not taken to Powha-
tan county this morning with the
other prisoners. John Brown Is charg-
ed on a separate Indictment from the
other negroes and his presence is not
necessary to the first trial except as
a witness. and 1t is probable that he
Will not be called to testify.
The other negroes confined in the
county Jail. Stephney Johnson. F1em-
taken to Powhatan this morning in
srge OF OfRcers Traylor and Burch.
of Menrico. and Officer Johnson. OF
the Richmond police force.
Until this morning it was expected
that John Brown would be taken with
the other negroes to POwhatan court
house today and would be presen: al
The trial o! the other negroes. Every
thing was ready for. their departure
when a telegram from Sheriff Baugh
of Henrico. ordered the officers 10
leave Brown in the Henrico Jail until
called for Officer Johnson stated this
morning that the evidence against
Brown who is held as a principal in
the crime was so damaging that feel
ing in the county against him was
very high
Brown Claims Coercion.
On account OF his age and the fact
that he claims TO have been terrOrized
b. Isham Taylor to such an extent
that he helped in the crime. u is
thought probable that he will escape
the extreme penalty. ard the extreme
penalty for all the principals is what
the people Of Powhatan demand
There were also rImors this morn
ing that there might be an attempt
nv the negro friends Of the prisoners
when the- reached Moseley's junction
today to rescue them. and the off,
GERS left on the II O'Clock train gTimly
prepared for any emergency.
Six Vet Unindieted.
The trial will not begin until tomor.
row morning Six Of the fifteen ne
yroes who have been arrested as chief
conspirators or accomplices have yei
to be indicted. A special grand jury
Is row in session. and II Is eapected
that IL will return true bills against
the accused tonight.