The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-03-19
Back to the Hills.

Back to the Hills.
Then holding the panic-stricken lu-
rors and on-lookers at bay, although
that probably was not necessary the
assassins slowly backed out OF the
court house and across the green to
their troop of ponies. In a second
they were galloping like mad men
through the aroused village and on
to the hills.
Town Thrown into Panic.
The quiet of Hillsville had never
been disturbed by such roar OF mr.
ing, and three hundred men, women
and children, rushed to the court
house. Webb and Foster were stone
dead. Judge Massie died in less than
an hour.
When a semblance of order came
out of the chaos that followed, some
hSrsemen hurried down into Beaver
dam valley to spread the news and get
help. More intrepid men rod off to-
ward Betty Baker, where there is a
railroad station and telegraph wire.
Word of the tragedy was slow in get
ting to points from which help could
he asked, but the machinery of the
law once started, worked quickly.
Preparations for Pursuit.
Governor Mann ordered the State
companies of militia at Roanoke and
Lynchburg ready to so to Hillsville,
if their aid should be necessary. Po-
lice detectives, and volunteers from
nearby places took all possible means
of transportation to get to Hillsville.
Late today Governor Mann tele-
graphed to Judge W: R. Staples, of
the Roanoke Corporation court, to go
to Hillsville and take charge of judi
cal proceedings there. Attorney Gen
sraI Williams, of the State of Virginia,
has also been ordered to Hillsville. He
and Sudge Staples will meet at Pulaski
tomorrow and proceed together.
Almost Inaccessible.
The town is awkwardly situated for
such an emergency as this. 1t is the
county seat of Carroll county, and lies
in the Beaver Dam Valley, four miles
from the top of the Blue Ridge noun
tains across the valley, and a strip of
indigo along the sky on clear day
shows the Alleghaneys. The country
is rough, the roads are bad and at this
time of year with spring thaws, near
" impossible. Illicit stills are said to
be many.
Floyd Allen lived on one side of the
town and has two brothers on the 9TH
er. All the men of the family have
been known as bad characters and
were feared by many in the county.
The deputy sheriff, who would serve
a warrant or a summons on one of
them was accounted brave man.
Judge MasSie Prominent.
Judge Massie was one of the most
prominent jurists of the State. He was
appointed to the bench by Governor
Swanson, in 1908, was 48 years old
and is survived by wife, two sons
and a daughter. Judge Massie had
been considered recently for promo
ton to the State supreme bench.
Commemorative Attorney Foster
had held his Office for eight years. He
was 40 years of age and known as
fearless prosecutor. He was Repub-
Iican leader in the county. Sheriff
Webb had been a deputy for fifteen or
twenty years being elected sheriff
last November.
At 10 o'clock tonight the detectives
from Roanoke had not arrived and
everything was quiet.
Others Badly Wounded.
The three jurors, Fowler, Faddiss
and Kane, were seriously wounded,
and A. T. Hewlett, Brue Marshall and
Stuart Woorrell, by-standers, were
more Or less seriously injured. Floyd
Allen, the prisoner at the bar, was
shot several times, probably not fatal
ly. Sidney Allen, his brother, who
killed judge Massie, was wounded,
but left town with his friends.
Sheriff Webbs deputy, with county
people, is guarding Floyd Allen. 1t is
reported that friends Of Allen will at
tempt to rescue him tonight.