The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-21

Judge Waller r, Staples. of Roanoke.
at Hillsville. on Tuesday morning at
. o'clock. 1t is understood the Com
monwealth will then ask for a change
of venue, probably III tho fear that
the Aliens havo still many friends in
the county. and that men who retain
q lingering dread of their wrath may
prevent verdict II they are drawn
on the Jury.
1t is also expected that a change OF
venue Will be resisted by counsel for
the prisoner. The first motion for a
removal OF the scene of trial came
from the defense, who wanted Floyd
Allen tried in Roanoke. but when n
wac found that Judge Staples prefer
red Wytheville. the motion was with
drawn This was because Judge Mas
sic had many friends In Wythe Co..
and probably the Aliens have none.
While no one knows what Judge
Staples Will decide to do. It may be
safely said that the sentiment among
officials In Richmond is almost unani-
nous to tho effect that tho trials
should be held In Hiilsville. The
courthouse there has only recently
been the scene of lawlessncss unpar-
alleled In the history of American JUS
tice. Two of the men who took part
In tho murders are at large. To this
extent the full power of the law has
gucd that the situation demands the
execution of justice within tho very
walls where the crime was committed,
SO that no doubt may be left in the
minds OF any others who may have
been inculcated with similar sp!r-
IT, that the Commonwealth Will pun
Ism, ana does punish. such otfcnses
Sentiment for HiIIsvilIc.
From the standpoint OF convenience
ana comfort, those who attend would
prefer some town along the main line
OF the railroad. such as WytheyiIle or
Pulaski. but from the standpoint OF
moral effect, It may be asserted that
oiicihl sentiment Is for trials at Hills
VILE.
Two grand juries-for the old and
the special terms-were secured with
out trouble. and they promptly in
dicted oil persons against whom tho
commemorative attorney made pre-
sentiments. jury was easily secured
IN Chesterfield for tho Beattie trial,
in spite OF the excitement and public
sentiment and It Is believed It viii
be as easy in Carroll. Even should |,
be necessary to send to wythe or
smyth or Botetourt or Stafford for a
Jury. the trinle could be had In Car
roll.
It is not commended tina. Floyd Alton
fired the first shot on that fatal day IN
March lie had Just heard the Judge
Instruct the sheriff to take charge OF
MIN and conduct him to the county Jail,
there to avail, disposition OF tho mo-
ZION made by his attorneys for q new
trial He shouted that he would not
go, and tore mt his sweater He saws
he searched for papers. The proseou-
tloh says nc was after his pistol. At
all events, 1t had been a tradition that
the Aliens should not go to jail
Aliens Fired First.
Either Sidnn Allen. or Claude swan.
son Allen Aired first This IS testified
to By every witness before the grand
jury. All save one--a very important
and dependable one. who attributes IL
To Claude-think 1t was Sidna
Indications OF II conspiracy are fur
nishcd. according to tne prosecuting
attorneys. by the position OF members
of the family in the courtroom Sidna
Allen and his nephew. Claude were
standing on ii bench, iust where they
could intercept any attempt on the
Part Of the judge to reach his private
room. Wesley Edwards and Victor
Allen were further away TO the rear
whore they could dispose of any one in
the bar Friel Allen was near tho
door leading to the jur" room. opposite
the Judge. He WAS seen 10 shoot, II is
SAID, ana was shot at Other shots
room, and are plainly TO be seen at
tho Judges stand and in tho clerks
quarters. Those standing In position
10 have fred these wero Sidna Ed
wards and Bird Marion. They both
deny having fired a shot. Claude adj
! intts shooting five times at Dexter
. G"ad Sidna Allen told Friel while
they were fugitivcs together that he
had shot the Judge, and that he had a
personal reason aside iEom the con-
v!ction Of Floyd. Wesley Edwards
told Friei that he had hred at VIII
Foster.
Trying 10 Save Victor.
The defense bent all its early efforts
20 proving the innocence OF Victor NJ.
Allen, the elder son Of Floyd. Victor
had been well behaved and has not
! been in trouble before. He has q con-
tract to drive rural free delivery
route from Cana Post-Once. on the
southern edge of the Blue Ridge He
Is married and Ind two children
When the clan left Hillsville after the
murder. Victor remained with his IA
ther, who was unable to ride away,
ana they surrendered together
Yet when Claude was captured, he
unsuspec'ingly told what kind Of pIs-
toi Victor had. 1t had been pre- previ-
ouSiy SAID Victor was unarmcd. Ono
witness SAYS he saw Victor put his
| pistol over the bar.
II conspiracy can he proved, each
man who took part in II will be
equally guilty Of all tho murders, re-
| EardieSs of whether he fired a shot
or not. This would condemn Claude
Allen. who contends nc killed no one
mi tried TO kill Clerk Goad
Tho bDy Eria1 III