Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-12-18

in the penitentiary. :
Robert Herald, two years
in the penitentiary. 2"
James Bragg and Henry &
Bragg, brothers, one year
each. .
Clemency was shown the
last two mentioned for evil
dence given in behalf of the @
Commonwealth.
4 HN
The series of robberies, which have
been visited upon the citizens in the
community around Pisgah have been
brought to stop, and the good pco-
pie thcreabouts can now sleep with
both eyes shut. The trio-Jamcs
Bragg, Henry Bragg and Robert Her
aid, whose arrests were mentioned in
the News, made an open confession
last Friday afternoon to Common.
wealth's Attorney j. w. Harman, in
which confession they implicated one
Bill Wilson. The "squealing" of the
boys was kept quiet until Wilson
could be arrested, which was accom-
plished in Pocahontas Monday by
Deputy Sheriff Charles Stump. VIII
son was known as bad man, and
every prccaution was taken by the
deputy to foresiall any plans he might
make to escape. He was heavily
manacled, and in addition to the ordi-
nary hand-cuffs, he was "roped"
about his body in such manner that
escape was out Of the question.
Wilson was brought to Jail and con.
fined in II cell remote from the Other
boys. However, he soon learned thu,
The two Bragg boys had told all, and
ne decided he had better try to make
terms with the States Attorney. An
interview was arranged for and vii.
son "came clean" with confession
Of his part in the robbery.
Fearing that the young men and
Wilson might repudiatc their confcs-
sions, Il special grand jury was EN-.
panelied, and the whole outfit indict-
ed upon the testimony furnished by
the two Bragg boys, who were called
as witnesses before the grand Jury.
The robberies committed ut c. i.
Peery's, 0. l.. Hopkins, Mrs. Ella
Peery's, Miss Martie Witten's, and
other places in thao community wcr,
confessed to by the two Bragg broth
ers. Bill Wilson and Henry Bragg car
rled out the Peery robbery, while the
other two went in different direc-
ton. They secured several sacks full
OF hams, shoulders, sausage, etc. on
that night. The carrying out of thch
plans took little longer that night
than they anticipated, and when they
arrived at North Tazewcll carly the
next morning they found that freight
train 81 had gone. They carried their
booty to stable nearby, and remain
cd in the stable all day until 81 came
along the next night. The bulk of
their forage was disposed of in Blue
held to private individuals. They
confessed to the stealing of the young
pigs at o. E. Hopkins, ii. S. Bowens,
L. H.. Smoots and other places. On
the night the robbery occurred at Mr..
Bowen's the pigs were caught and
put in sack and carried TO North
Tazewell, where the freight train was
taken. They caught another freight in
Graham at o'clock and carried their
pigs to Pocahontas, where they were
sold for $500 each. The buyer Of
the pigs was unknown to the boys
The downfall of the gang of rob-
bers was occasioned by their efforts
to steal four calves and number OF
sheep from A. j. Higginbotham about
two weeks ago. They were seen run.
ming bunch of sheep by G.. p. Har-
man, Arthur Graybeal and Others,
near Maxwell. The suspicious Of
Harman and others were aroused, and
investigation developed that they had
penned up the four calves. On being
asked by the grand jury about this
last episode, James Bragg said theii
Intentions were to drive the cattle TO
Pocahontas on the night of their ar
rest and dispose of them. He denied
that they intended stealing the sheep,
stating that they We're simply pass
ing through the field and the sheep
got in front of them. In view of the
discriminating evidence contained in
the confession of Bragg it was not
deemed necessary 10 secure from him
more proof of his guilt and the guilt
OF his accomplices than was needed
to find an Indictment.
Charley Watkins, bachelor, living
alone on the farm of A. j. Higgin-
botham, had narrow escape from
being robbed on one of the raids of
the robbers. 1t was the opinion OF
the quartet that Watkins had a large
amount of money secreted in his
home, and they planned to raid the
house and secure the money. They
approached the house and found Wat
kins at home and were unable to car
ry out their plans.
A number Of robberies of turkeys,
chickens, corn, ETC., were denied by
the boys, which leads to the conclu-
sion that all Of the robbers have not
yet been arrested. However, it is be-
lieved that the fate of the quartet
will be warning to others, and that
the infested communities can now
rest in peace.
AS indicated at the outset the four
men have been given sentences in
State prison, and will be put to work
on the roads.