The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-11-29

Wytheville, Va, November o.
Sidna Allen, leader of the clan which
shot-up the Carroll County Court last
March, killing five persons, was found
guilty of murder in the second degree
today for the killing of Judge T. L..
Massie. Punishment was fixed at Is
years Imprisonment in the State pen
itentiary at Richmond.
1t was announced by the prosecu-
ton that he would be placed on trial
under an indictment charging him
with the murder of Commonwealth
Attorney w. M. Foster, another VIC
tim of the Hillsville shooting, Decem-
Der 2 was the date set by the court
for the second trial.
The verdict of second degree MUIR
der was returned after the jury had
deliberated nearly eighteen hours.
Six for Acquittal.
1t is understood that on the first
ballot the jurors stood five for first
degree murder, one for second de-
gree and six for acquittal.
Sidna Allen heard the verdict with
out outward sign of emotion His
wife sat quietly by the prisoners
side and was not visibly affected.
Until the second trial Of Allen ID
ended nothing will be done in the case
of his nephew, Wesley Edwards, un,
der indictment for murder in connee-
ton with the Carroll County shoot
ing-News and Courier.
Dramatic Incidents.
"a. B. Williams in Roanoke Times)
Dramatic Incidents of the day were
the conclusion of Mr.. Buxton's speech
for the defense, with a recitation from
the book of common prayer of a pc
tition used especially by the Episco-
palians in the office Of institutions of
the ministers into parishes but fire.
quently adapted in the ordinary SER
vices: Direct us, oh Lord, in all our
doings, with Thy most gracious favor,
and further US with Thy continual
help; that in all our works begun.
continued and ended in Thee we may
glorify Thy holy name," and by the
recitation by Mr.. Poage of the follow
ing verses to the memory of Sheriff
Webb of Carroll, taken from a popu-
lar magazine.
"Cruel were the odds against him,
but the odds were naught to him,
For his bullet found Floyd Allen ere
the sight of his eyes grew dim.
Then down with Massie and Foster, on
the growing heap on the floor,
In his clutch the empty weapon that
his hand should use no more
He dreamed that he still protected
the dead that round him lay,
Till the thirst for murder slackened
and the mountain rode away.
Massie and Webb and Foster-long
may their memory live.
Who had naught to give but their life
blood and gave what they had to
give.
They died for thy laws, Virginia-on
thy historic breast,
No braver sons have fallen, no truer
heroes rest.
Not in the roar of battle, when the
blood runs strong and high.
In the stiller paths of duty, they laiG
them down to die.
And the nation that is waiting, with
half averted ear,
For the low and distant murmur that
the future has to hear,
Should make their names the slogan
of the cause their vision saw
The sanctity of human life and the
majesty of law.
The slogan that shall echo till it
browns all local cry
III. cause our lives must cherish lest
our great republic die"
Mr.. Wysor's Closing Speech.
Mr.. ]. C. Wysor, leading counsel
for the Commonwealth, closed in
speech of two hours. In his opening
remarks he said this crime at Hills
vile has shocked the civilized world
and that all good and wise men and
women wanted it punished. He
thought while Mr.. Buxton was with
drawing statements he might have
withdrawn also his charge that Goad
shot at Sidna Allen and killed the
Ayers girl, inasmuch as both had been
disproved absolutely. He alluded to
the presence of Mrs. Allen and the
children in court and said they had
been brought there for purpose, to
get the sympathy of the jury and
practice on their feelings. Really it
was the prisoner putting up the white
flag and begging for mercy, not be-
cause Of his own innocence and the