The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-05-17
HOW THE ALLEN
TRIAL WAGS
EDITOR ]. E. JOHNSON OF THE
MT. AIRY NEWS, GIVES A DE-
SCRIPTION OF THE PROCEED
INGS OF THIS FAMOUS MUIR
DER TRIAL AT WYTHEVILLE
(From Charlotte Observer)


Having a good part of his circula-
ton in the territory divided by the
Virginia North Carolina line where
the Aliens live, Editor ]. E. johnson
of The Mount Airy News has visited
Wytheville, whence the trial was re-
moved from Hillsville to get in touch
with the proceedings thus far. 1t is
a most unusual state of affairs which
he describes. The court house, though
a modern and rather pretentious
structure, has seating capacity of
not more than two hundred outside
the bar. 1t can seat only a small
proportion of those who would like to
attend, which circumstance facili-
tates measures taken for the protec-
ton of the court. A guard stands
within the door leading to the bar,
and no one may pass this door ex-
cept lawyers, newspaper reporters,
court officers and witnesses. At the
door of the court room stands Bald
win detective, outside, and Carroll
County special deputy who knows all
the people there stands with him. No
one who might be friend of the
Aliens may enter without being first
searched. When all the seats are full
further admission is denied. Nor may
the spectators go in and out at will;
they must wait until the Judge gives
general permission, as he does from
time to time, and then the seats va
Gated are filled by those who have
been awaiting the opportunity out
side. Armed detectives are in the
court room every minute of the day.
About hundred and fifty witnesses
and interested spectators are attend
ing from Carroll County. These have
gone there prepared to stay for
months if necessary, many of whom
are not expecting to get home before
crops are laid by.
The trial, as observed by Editor
johnson, progresses like a very slow
game of checkers in which each play
er studies his men for ten minutes
before making a move. The attor-
neys spend much time consulting the
record of testimony previously given
by the witnesses and contend at
length over every little point. In all,
there are about seventy-five witnesses
for the State and perhaps as many as
fifty for theSdefenso. Among the wit
nesses for the State there is uncon-
cealed anxiety over the outcome. They
have no idea that the Allen crowd
would submissively abide by any
seVe.ely punitive result, and with this
'opihioh many other people agree. 1t
is pointed>sut that members of the
Allen faction>, the court room dis
play nentire >s~sk of apprehen-
sion and no serious ince..~.. as if the
proceedings mattered very 1,~le to
them. Floyd Allen, who is descrn.sd
as neatly dressed and perhaps the
best-looking man in the bar has his
wife at his side part of the time
Both sides are represented by able
and prominent counsel. Judge Sta
Piles, presiding, appears to be man
about forty-five years old, clean-sbav-
en- and weighing about one hundred
and seventy-five pounds. He looks
the Judge and his rulings are posi-
tive, but he has pleasant smile and
no protests from the attorneys are
ever heard. The jury is composed of
young men, three of them perhaps
forty-five and the rest not over twen-
ty-five or thirty. They are an intelli-
gent-looking lot. 1t is generally be-
lieved that most of the jurymen will
never agree to anything less than a
verdict of first degree murder in
Floyd Aliens case, but that some of
the young men may stand out for a
verdict less severe. About dozen
newspaper correspondents, represent
ing many Virginia and Northern pa
pers, are watching everything that
goes on.
1t may well be supposed that coun-
sci for the Aliens will have difficulty
in putting any face upon their con-
duct when Judge Massie and four
other persons were slain by the gang.
But this they confidently expect to do.
They will endeavor to show, says Ed
itor johnson, that the massacre was
free for all fight, that the Court of
.ficers had prepared for fight, were
expecting it and had made threats
and otherwise conducted themselves
in a manner calculated to bring on a
fight. When the State rests its case
the defence will put up witnesses to
testify that the Court officials fired
the first shot and that the ALIENS