The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-24
Exonerates Carter While Calmly Re-
lating Details Of Brutal At
tack On Girl.
EXPECTED
Operation Not Likely To Save Him.
Story of Mob From MecLxlenburg Is
Not Credited--Negro Well Guard.
ed.

Petersburg. Va, March 23.-Tom
Coles, the confessed murderer and
rapisI. who was rushed TO this city at
an early hour this morning by Sheriff
Beales, OF MeckIenburg County, to
avoid his being lynched at the hands
of an Infatuated mob, has made full
and complete confession of the atroci-
GUS crimes with which he is charged.
Sheriff Beales arrived here about
5:45 o'clock this morning after a
rather perilous trip in getting the
negro safe from the mob and recited
to Deputy City Sergeant j. E. Bowles
the circumstances In the cases with
which the fiend is charged.
According to Sheriff Beales' state
ment. Coles attacked Georgia Roy
ster. aged fifteen years, daughter OF
Mrs. l.. I. Register, widow, residing
near Buffalo Junction. while she was
returning from school about $3.50
O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
Girl Tells Story.
The girl succeeded after some diff
ficulty In reaching her home a half
mile distant. where she told of the
horrible deed.
A posse was formed at once to hunt
for the two negroes. Tom Coles and
Richard Carter. Coles was found
about o'clock near Buffalo Springs.
and when the posse approached him.
he made desperate resistance with the
use of a heavy club. Dewitt Hamil-
ton. a bookkeeper at Buffalo Springs,
times at the negro with deadly aim.
Each bullet took effect two passing
entirely through the body and the
other lodging in the hip.
The negro Was seized and turned
over to Sheriff Beales. who later
brought him here
In the Petersburg Jail this morning
the negro talked freely to Deputy
Sergeant Bowles and DIR. Burke. the
physician TO the jail. He admitted the
killing of Annie Chandler, negro girl,
on January 81, because she cursed him
and stated that he afterward left the
county and went to Florida, returning
a few days ago. While in the woods
yesterday afternoon he saw Miss Roy
ster on her way home from school and
he seized her and dragged her some
distance into the bushes. she pleading
all the while. After accomplishing his
purpose ne refrained from numbering
her on her promise that she would
not say anything about the crime.
Made Blood Boil.
Mr.. Bowles In conversation with
your correspondent this afternoon
stated that he had to leave the negro's
presence because of his bravado In
reciting the dastardly deed. My
blood fairly boiled" said the deputy
sergeant, land for fear that might
do him further injury l walked away
from where the wounded villain was
lying"
The negro states that he was alone
1T the time he committed the crime
and that he knew nothing OF Richard
Carter, who IL alleged to have been
D party TO the crime.
Judge Mullen. Of the Hastings
Court, FIRST refused to allow Coles to
Be removed from the City Jail to the
hospital to be operated on. but after
with DR.. H. A. Burke !
and Coroner II. G.. Leigh he ordered |
him sent to the hospital. whore he
was operated on about 7:ao o'clock /!
this afternoon by DIR. III. A. Burke and |
DR.. L q. Early. A guard has been |
placed in the negroes room at the hos |
pital to prevent any possible escape |
md watch will be kept over him night |
and day until he In able to be returned |
10 the city jail. which in the opinion |
81 DIR. Burke win not be done as his |
IL considered precarious.
The rumor that q mob was being !
formed in Mecklenburg for the pur-
pose OF coming to Petersburg and |
ynch the negro is not believed to be
lrue as he will have he protsstion
,f both and efficient police corps and |
the local militia.
Bible Class Banquet.
The annual banquet of the Mems
Bible class of the West End Baptist |
Church was held In the handsome /
Glass room In the Sunday School de- |