The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-18

who through a remarkable presence
OF mind under such circumstances,
saved herself from the attacks of the
negro. AS she lay huddled on the
ground she pretended that she saw
n friend approaching, and called out,
Mr. Omohundro is coming me
negro turned his face and she saw
that 1t was Page, who was recently
employed by her father, The young
women then called out to the mag
mary pedestrian. and appealed to him
for aid So insist ent were the calls
that the negro changed his position
for a moment. when Miss Truit cried
out sharply. Hit him.!
AS she uttered the words the negro,
becoming frightened at the belief that
assistance had really come to the girl.
fed to nearby woods
Father Hunts Ficnd.
Miss Truitt then revived her cousin.
and helping her in the buggy drove, to
her home where She related her exr
perience to her father, Captain Truitt.
who is one of the foremost citizens
Of the Northern Neck. was but a few
minutes in deciding on his line of ac-
ton. and armins himself with a shot
gun and placing shells In his peck.
cts. he went forth for the man who
had attempted to violate his daughter.
He walked a short distance to store.
I'm which a few farmers were passing
the evening. and entering he saw tho
negro Page. half hiding. In the rea,
of the store. Approaching the man
he pointed the gun at him, ordering
him to put up his hands. which the
negro did
Holding the negro at hay with the
gun. Captain Truitt sent for the
sheriff, and while waiting the men
who We're sitting in the store quietly
passed out. When the officer ar
rived Captain Truitt turned the man
over 10 him AS the officer left the
store with his prisoner to take him
to jail, he was suddenly surrounded
by a crowd Of masked men. who
closed in about him. Suddenly out
Of the crowd came a voice: Eve want
that niger, sheriff"
Begged That Law Take It's, Course.
The officer. realizing just what the
presence OF the men meant. begged
them to let the law take its course.
pointing out that justice would be
done, and that a speedy trial would
be held. Notwithstanding his efforts
the same insistent voice was heard
demanding that the negro be turned
over to the waiting crowd.
Page, we'll knowing what he faced,
ACiA ~ LIS Knees anu peSEcu loi
mercy. The men would not listen ia
his pleadings but when they asked
that he be allowed 10 see his wife
and mother they agreed, and he was
/ taken to them.
Only a few short minutes was he
/ allowed 10 remain with his people.
! Quickly an automobile had been
secured, and the negro was taken
from his house. piaeef in the ma.
chine, and whisked to the place of his
execution. It took but few minutes
! to reach the spot, and still less time
for the preparation for the lynching
I Under a wide spreading tree the ma
chine stopped. and in a moment
rope was thrown about the Negroes
| neck A well-aimed toss put the
| other end over a branch, and as tt.
negro pleaded and PRAYED, the rope
| frightened ana the body was soon
t dangling lifeless IN the air A volley
, of shots rang out. riddling the negro's
body. and quietly the participants
| withdrew.
/ It was not until the next morning
| that the sheriff OF the county knew
where Page had been hung He Wen.
| there with the coroner. who viewed
| the body after II was cut down
| Governor Stuart has all through his
! administration made every effort "a
prevent such an occurrence In every
case where lynching was threatened
| he has promised a quick trial. which
/ has been held In every case The last
| lynching In the state occurred some
| eighteen years ago near Emporia
! Governor Stuart DID everything pos
sible to prevent the disgrace OF a
| lynchinr marking his tenure Of office.
| A number or times they have be~n
threatened, and II has been neoes-
sary to call out the militia in several
cases. Prompt and effective admin
iistratien OF justice has herstefers
headed OF mob vieieaeA