The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-29
NATION SHOCKED BY
CRIME AT HILLSVILLE
Entire Human Fabric of the Court Wiped Out by
Allen Outlaws, Who Murdered Judge and Others
to Save Old Floyd From Prison.

, with his nephews, Sidna and Wesley
Edwards and Friel Allen, the latter n
son Of Jasper or Jack Allen, spcnt the
night at Irillsville.
Morning of the Tragedy.
Early the following morning the AL
lens went to the courthouse. It was
in evidence. though denied. that Floyd
Allen. when asked If he desired his
horse cared for In n stable, replied
that lie did not have long to stay
The jury was sent to it's room, and
the court. with Judge Thornton Il
Massic on the bench, took up other
business.
The extent to which Judge Massie
feared trouble Is buried with him. It
is certain that he had consulted Judge
Bolen and Mr. Upton regarding tho
possibility of a disturbance If Floyd
Allen were convicted. but those at
torncys did not believe there would be
trouble Judge Massie had talked to
friends about the matter. but expressed
his purpose to do his duty at any
cost
Many threats were testified to as
having been made by Floyd Allen. He
was quoted by several witnesses as
saying that If he were convicted he
would make the biggest hole In that
court that any man ever made" He
was. further quoted as saying that
''if Judge Bolen did not do his duty
ne would pile him up with the rest
of them and, on the day his trial
began. that if he were coiScUd he
would "llill Bill Foster before the sun
goes down tomorrow night" 4 bowl
of cartridges was exhibited by him
with the remark that if he were found
ha Try 70 h.,
dict set aside, and that "by the time
get through shooting these, tho YER
dict will be set aside
While some of the witnesses testify
ing to threats were said to have been
persons of doubtful character, Floyd
Allen himself had been unable to say
against some of the others.
nor even to give 4 reason why they
should have sworn falsely against him.
AS matter OF fact. an attorney for
some of the Aliens, who had tried to
got communication for them, told Il re-
porter for The Times Dispatch n few
days ago that he was constrained to
believe Floyd Allen actually made
these threats against the court.
Floyd Found Guilty.
Tho jury returned and rendered a
verdict OF guilty, with a punishment
of one years confinement in the State
Attorneys for the pris-
oner entered motion for new trial
on the ground of additional evidence
and Judge Massic said he would hear
argument on the motion. Judge Bolen
called Victor Allen into the bar, ut the
same time motioninE to the younger
son. Claude. and the latter came instead
OF his brother Some conversation en-
sued. part OF which at least referred to
an effort to be made by Claude to get
the other witnesses to Hillsville by the
next day. If any further remarks were
exchanged between father and son,
Judge Bolen did not hear them. Wit
nesses said they whispered with hands
over each others ears.
Claude Allen retired from the bar
and stood by his uncle. Sidna Allen, in
the northeast corner of the room, near
tho door to the judges private office
Commemorative Attorney Foster had
gone to the clerks desk to rewrite the
verdict. which lacked n correct detail
and he made the correction standing
outside the bar, with the Indictment
held against Il small book This book
he grasped in his dying agony. and it
was picked UP the next morning by a
staff representative of The Times Dis
patch, covered with blood.
y moment of silence commented on
by several witnesses, cnSued. Judge
Massie hcsitatcd or delayed an an
nouncemcnt for a fraction OF time; then
said: Sheriff, take charge OF the pris-
oncr," Sheriff Lewis +. Webb left his
stand In front of the clerks desk and
took step toward the entrance to the
bar 10 receive the prisoner
SnW CLEAN of Pistol.
at that moment Floyd Allen arose
and began fumhling about his sweater,
saying something TO this effect: Gen
t1emen. ] amt a-goin" Judge Bolen.
his counsel. describes his action as en-
tirely lcsurely. The lawyer could not
fathom the purpose of tho prisoner.
who few moments before had told
him he would take his sentence and
go on with IT," Then Judge Bolcn
saw tho CLEAN of Floyd Aliens pistol
IN his nip pocket and the man was