The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-04-04
Trying TO Save His Son.

Today's Washington Herald prints
the following from Hillsville. Va:
GIVE my boy, Freel. his life; save
him from the electric chair, and ] will
surrender him to the law as we'll as
my brother Sidna and my nephews.
Claude Allen and Wesley Edwards, in
side of five hours.
My kinsmen are a whole lot to me
but the boy is my own flesh and blood
I'll do anything TO keep him from a
murderer's death"
This message. according TO a report
widely circulated here today, was sent
in from the mountains by Jack Allen
who did not take part in the court
house slaughter two weeks ago, but
has been acting as head of the clan
wilds and its patriarch, Floyd. was
placed in the Roanoke Jail.
Jack declared through his messen-
ger, the story had il, that he knows
the mountain fastness where the fugi-
tives have been hiding and that he
was willing to lead the posse of noun
taineer scouts directly to the place to-
night If his proposition was accepted
The officials here. before replying
to the proposition. are said to be try
ing to learn just how much evidence
there is against Freei-whether or not
his bullets were responsible for the
death OF any of the five persons who
fell before the fusiliade from the des-
peradoes revolvers.
If there is no positive evidence that
he killed any one. the answer probably
will be:
Yes; bring them in. and Freel may
live"
Son Brings Request.
The proposal was brought here this
morning. according to the report, by
Barnard Allen, another son OF Jack.
who is younger than his fugitive
brother rH a.
office of former Judge w. G. Bolen
and told him that the outlaws had
never been near CAPTURE; that they
could dodge their pursuers indefinite
ly, and that the only way in which
they might be taken was by having
their hiding place revealed by one
who knew it. Therefore. it would be
best for the authorities to agree to
Jacks terms if they possibly could.
My business is mine, not you'alls',"
said Barnard Allen. 1t is certain,
however. that the boy had a long talk
with Judge Bolen. and that the for
mer jurist later talked several times
with Prosecutor Landreth and Judge
Staples.
BY those who know Jack Allen
who is of the staggering fire-eating
bully sort-the story of the alleged
otfer is not deemed improbable. Strong
as has been his loyalty to his brothers,
stronger yet has been his love for his
elder son. In Jacks drinking. fighting
m oods-which have been frequent
the boy was the only one who dared
approach him. And F>reel, IL is said.
could do anything in the world with
the old varmint." Jack. who is all
hardness, all Poughness, has always
been as tender as a woman where
slim, good-Iooking Freel has been con-
cerned. His message is said to have
concluded, land IL you ell accept this
offer of mine, you all got to give me
the solemnest Bible oath you ever
took that you'll tote fair. II I'd turn
the boy over and then you all would
kill him, thatd be the end of my life
right then and there"
Attachment Case Opens
Court opened this morning for the
preliminaries Of the trial of the cap
tured clansmen. Today's proceedings
dealt solely with the attachments
which were placed upon the properties
or Floyd, Sidna. and Victor Allen, by
the widows of Judge Massie, Prosecu-
tor Foster, and Sheriff Webb. There
was nothing exciting about the pro-
ceedingS, but they were interesting
enough to keep the attention of a
crowd which filled the little court
room and divided its attention be-
tween Judge Staples and the bullet
holes In the rooms walls
The relatives OF the slain officers
each brought suit for $4,000 against
the Aliens. In order that these sums
may be collected In case the damage