The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-07


and almost without exception. if not
entirely so, where they undertake to
give reasons. or to state the facts, n
lamentable ignorance of the real facts
is manifest
The trouble in this case did not
occur because Floyd Allen had been
convicted by p jury of his peers and
sentenced 10 one year in the peni
Tertiary by an able and impartial
judge. but because he desplsed the
law which for years. he and his
family had tramplcd underfoot, and
because he would not stay In jail one
day while his counsel was preparing
his case on motion for new trial,
and after he had been assured that
when tho motion was heard there
would be "briEhtcr day" for him.
This was not Floyds first offensc. and
his determination to escape Jail at all
hazards and without regard to con-
sequences was we'll known. In 1904,
and before Goad was clerk, he was
tried for assaulting and attempting
to kill one Combs; he was fined 500
and sentenced to Jail for one hour.
The court was warned then by Com
monwcalth's Attorney Foster, and a
number OF reputable citizens after the
trial told the judge that Floyd Allen
stated in their presence that II he was
given a Jail or pcnitcntiary sentence
he would resist and If necessary shoot
up the court In this case it cannot
be disputed that Floyd Allen put him
self TO the expense and his counsel
to tho trouble Of applying to the Gov
crnor for pardon as to the sentence
of one hour in Jail. which was granted
Threats by Floyd.
Certainly, before the March term.
1912, he had, according to the evil
dcnce. made threats that if sentenced
to jail or the penitcntiary he would
shoot up the court. One OF the citizens
and an ofiiccholdcr of Carroll. appear
ing In behalf OF, and asking ciemcncy
for. the Aliens, stated on the first
public hearing in the hail of the House
OF Delegates, that the old Aliens
had been INDUCED owing to the tim
dity of the courts"
I find however. that cannot go
INTO details or undertake to give the
evidence III these cases without stir
rinS up controversy in which cannot
properly participate. and must. there
fore. content myself with giving my
conclusions from the evidence and
facts presented to me-
can find no evidence OF sny no.
liucal or other kind of fcud bet wcon
me officers of the court and any of
the Aliens ut the time of the tragedy
w Marcn, I9'2. or any plan or pur-
nose on the part OF the officers or .nv
or them 10 attack the Aliens. Rather
J mo the officers intended to discharges
their duties and to enforce tho Law
whereas tho Aliens showed /, mat
rest disposition to tramplc all law
undcrfoot. -"
Scene IN Courthouse.
Ana nov VIC come to what No.,
pened III the courthouse OF c.arrou
county on tho 18th of March. 1o1e
'o!d Allen had been tried. conyjctnd
ny Jury, and his punishment nxnd
~ ""c year In the pcnitontiary His
Counsei moved tho court for nav.
.r'"l was given until the next morn.
49,, 70 NE me necessary afidavits
fused Claude Allen was beckonna
u! Judge Rolcn, came into tbc ~
WAS 'oid oil the witnesses IN no co.,
/ Ii'oieo' inc horse lao was To ride 49,,
7 th'n alter brief couyers.tion ~
ms ta'her that no one else heard 49,,
~. 10 ms place on the bench =,
! i,a,, 'i.cdst corner of the court
After carefully cous;dori,o
me testimony, ! have conc,uhnd ing
,e most reliable statement az fao,.
"'hc from Judge Bolon tbo ,o,,,,,
~ 'oSh Alien AT the trial .,nd -
man VINO has sought in every $50. a
80 ~ s'cure clcmoncy for both J-,n,.d
was no, t ;Nlicn' Surely his evidence
/ tnese people. Accordin, g., ,ies9 10
.lohE' when the Judge told M ISL.
20 take charge of FLOYD AIIor 40 ~. ~
H'".'r advanced toward thc '.,'''
-, "a'' "herc II was usual for it,s,
c''Nc prisoners, Floyd -, '.'
80 up commenced TO funhIo r.;.,.
ana 80 evidently for his nisto,
asoinE The people who :, am
! sreSated began to ,ro,. "a" con
Judge Bolen saw Floyd's n,s,ni ana
lett hip pocket. ''oi IN MS
Z Court Was Dehcd.
For tho first time In the history Of
the state, go far as I know. "a con-
victed criminal openly dcncd tho court
and commenced to get out his pistol
with which to make good his defiance
and his threat TO shoot UP the court
His action required the sheriff and
his deputies to use all tho force ncces.
sary. even to tho taking of his life. l.,
order To carry out the orders OF tn,
court and Floyd Allen. having brough,
on the trouble. became responsible FOR
all the consequences. and could no,
put in the plea OF self defense.
When Floyd Allen arose, Judse
Rolon looked TO Victor 10 help contro
him, but receiving no tncoursgcmcnI
he looked at Claude, who, With pisto
III hand, fred tho FIRST shot in In,
courthouse. Judge Bolcn saw the lin,
~ from the right shoulder Of Judy,
Massie. and saw the judge cornmenc,
TO sink down, receiving as he col
lapsed Two moro shots from Sidna q,
some az the Aliens. whose malic.
vented itself upon ehc man, who. (,