Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-03-20
THE CARROLL TRAGEDY
(Continued from Page One)

OF yesterday, said Judge Staples.
L have been designated by the
Governor of Virginia to complete
the March term of court. and it will
probably be advisable to continue
the cases on the docket to the May
term.
But it is my pdrpose to impauel
special grand jury to inquire into
the crime committed in this room.
and to have il meet tomorrow at 8
o'clock.
Quietly and without fear OF the
bandits who have spread terror
throughout the community, the
grand jury went about it's work in a
manner which brought forth the
commentator of the court and the
Governor of the Common ealth.
The proceedings were brief.
You gentlemen, said Judge
Staples, speaking to the seven citi-
zens who faced the bench, have
been sworn to inquire into an affair
that is not only more distressing
and humiliating than any other that
has happened in the county Of Car
roll and the Common wealth of Vir-
GINA, but on the American CONT
nent. With the fear of God in your
heart, and only that fear, you must
do your duty and assist in bringing
these parties to justice.
Judge Staples assured the jury
that the entire body of Virginia
citizenship is prepared to sustain
your pres eminent in this case" As
the court dwelt upon the crime and
declared that an outraged people
demanded that it be avenged, the
seven stal wart, rugged mountain
GERS nodded approval and then went
quietly to the little room to weigh
the evidence. Dexter Goad, the
court clerk, his head bandaged and
still showing the effects of his inju-
ries, was TIE first witness. There
was stiffness in the court when the
grand jury returned ard the wound
ed clerk took the indictments from
the hand of the foreman. He read
the names of the following against
whom true bills we're presented:
Floyd Allen, Victor Allen, Claude
Swanson Allen (named for United
States Senator Swanson of Virginia..
Sidna Allen, Friel Allen, Wesley
Edwards and Bud Marion. Each
was indicted on fo1r separate
counts. There also was an indict-
ment against John F. Moore, who
assisted the Aliens to escape.
With the thanks of the court, the
jury was dismissed and then Judge
Staples announced that the cases
would be called for trial on March
70. ). Floyd Landreth, the acting
commonwealth S attorney, is a lead
ing Republican and a delegate from
the Filth district to the National Re-
publican Convention. He graduated
from Washington and Lee several
years ago.
Floyd Allen, his son Victor and
Bud" Marion we're removed from
Hillsville Jail to Roanoke for safety
and are secure in the Roanoke CITY
Jail. Sunday Floyd Allen sent for q
minister, DR.. Claggett Skinner of
the Baptist church, and had a talk
about his spiritual condition. The
prisoner seems broken in spirit and
expressed regret at his crime. la
menting that he had not followed
the advice of his life who urged
him to submit to his punishment
without resistance.
Two other deaths have occurred
from the shooting. Tney are Miss
Elizabeth Ayres, aged 10 years. a
witness for the Aliens, who was
shot during the fusilIade, and Au-
gustus Fowler. one of the jurors.
The Aliens and their friends are
still at large in the mountains. al.
though detectives and officers are
hot on their trail and their CAPTURE
is expected at any time. Large re-
wards have been offered by Cover
nor Mann for their apprehension.
dead or alive.
Judge Massey's remains were