The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-18
Promise IN His Wife.

While in Jail here Floyd Allen said.
Il talked with my wife "Wednesday
night about my case to be tried next
day In the courthouse.
She begged me to take my me di-
cine and not make any trouble. She
asked me to go ahead and take the
sentence II the Judge imposed one on
me. and come back and lead a If
ferent life afterwards. i promised
her ] would
He said nothing about the occur
romeo In the courthouse.
Crime That Caused Shooting.
Floyd Allen was on trial for taking
from Deputy Sheriffs samuels and
Casters his nephews, who We're ar
rested for disturbing public worship.
Their names are Sidney and Wesley
Edwards. Under indictment for the
same offense were Sydna Allen an,
Barnett Allen. Floyd Aliens case
was the first called. The others have
not been tried.
The two boys taken from the dep.
uty were arrested for raising a dis
turbauce In front of church In
which their uncle, Rev. Garland AL
len. was preaching. When the con-
gregation left the church a genera,
hght ensued. The preacher descend
ed from the pulpit. went out into the
church yard and aided his nephews,
who started the row.
when warrants were issued for the
Two boys Floyd Allen sent word that
he would bring them into court ID
stand trial; that there was no neces
sity for arrestinE them.
Deputies Samuels and Easter wbeu
they had served the warrants. were
beaten over the head by the three
Aliens, aided by the two prisoners.
Next day Floyd Allen sent word
mat the two boys would never lie
arrested, and that they would be
taken only over his dead body.
The three Aliens were indicted
they surrendered voluntarily. giving
bond for their appearance at the
March term of court The convtc.
ton OF Floyd Allen followed. The
two Edwards boy. were tried for the
hght In front OF sheir uncies church
and con, icted.
Victims Are Buried.
Three victims of the awful tragedy
were buried Saturday. Sheriff Webb
-onnonwealth's Attorney Foster and
the girl. Bette Aryes.
AFTER "a sim~ie service In the Pres
byterian church. crowded with friends
and relatives, Comonwealth's Attorney
rosters body was put away In the To-
cal cemetery.
The sheriff was buried In the family
plot after services at the home, More
than a thousand people stood around
the grave as the last rites we're said.
Miss Ayres was buried seven miles
from town.
Politics in Affair.
. 1t does not take speculation to find
the cause Of the tragedy. although
many Incidents, some of them not
clear. added their quota to Thursdays
. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Poii.setGl aiEeseScss
are said to have caused friction, al
though judge had had no previous
trouble with the Aliens. The Aliens
opposed the election OF the present
county officers.
Several years ago Walter p. Allen,
son OF Jack Allen, ran for Common
wealth's attorns" against Foster. He
was defeated. 1t Is said none OF the
Aliens ever got over II.
Walter Allen was later drowned in
swimming when, a law, student at
WASHINGTON and Lee University, IL.
One boast II the Aliens 10 that none
of them have ever done time. Ac-
cused at various umeA. and more than
once prosecuted they always escaped
with fines OF aequittai. They have
been In the Federal courts most fire.
quently. although none Of them are
strangers at the county courthouse.
They have engaged in many lawsuits
Old Crime Recalled.
Baldwin ana Felts say there will be
no let up Of the search. The temper
Of the Aliens Is seen in recalling an
incident OF eight years ago, when one
OF the Aliens was killed by Mack
Hewlett. Hewlett WAS taken from the
jail here and ;hbt-to death. The sher-
iff delivered TIE Keys Of the Jail, Know
in~ he would be shot IL he refused.
The clan detcended upon the town
at night. and citizens knew nothing
OF the deed until they heard shots.
Hewlett forbade one Of the Aliens
crossing his land. The admonition was
disrezarded and Hewlett shot Allen In
his tracks. He was arrested. and
locked up. The Aliens were never ar
rested for the crime. They wore masks
and the sheriff declared he was not
sure II was them. Afterwards, the
Aliens boosted OF the deed.