Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-18
Want STATE GUARD
AT MOUNTAIN TRIAL
Green County Officials Fear At
tack Upon Slayer of
Judge.
PRISONER KEPT IN HIDING
PRISONER KEPT IN HIDING
Information Is That Alleged
Murderer Is Held Secretly
Awaiting Hearing Monday.

That Edgar Morris. alleged slayer OF
Magistrate Bluford Sullivan, at STAN
ardsvlle on March 90. has been cap
turcd. and is being held in hiding by
the authorities. ia tho conccnsus of
opinion following the announcement
from Stanardsvillc last night that SEN
ator y. B. Early and Judge John W
Fishburnc arc due to arrive in Rich
mond today to confer with Governor
Westmoreland Davis relative to send
ing n detachment OF State militia to
the mountain section Monday when. it
is contended. Morris is TO be brought
into town for preliminary hearing.
The men were due to confer with
Governor DAVIS late yesterday, but
learned that the Governor was in New
York attending the meeting OF the di
rcctors OF the Richmond, Frcdcricks s.
burg and Potomac Railroad. They are
expected to arrive sometime this fore
noon.
Immediately after tho shooting Of
mountains. followed by posse of sew
eral hundred citizens who. since the
murder, have been on hunt for the
Disturbed Church Meeting.
Morris faced Magistrate Sullivan on
a charge Of disturbing. religious
meeting; ne Several HUNDRED members Of
ris walked into the building and used
abusive language TO the rector. When
claimed. he dragged the rector to the
door and administered physical abuse
Since Morris disappeared it is con:
times on Wyatts Mountain. Posses
however. failed to locate him after a
days ssarching, Rewards aggregating
more than 5000 have been offered and
citizens generally have been on the
look out. seeking his apprehension.
the people. | and. % aithoGsb Ugh pGra having BEEN em
notified that his life would be taken
should he attempt to try the case
courtroom on the day set for the hear
ing undated by the threatening letter
he had received several days pre-
viously.
Draws Two RevoIvers.
Sullivan had just finished pronounc-
ing the sentence when Morris is al
legged TO have drawn two guns from
Gould n opeDed Depfs re tWo sS
tstrate. causing instant death. One
slightly wounded morris escape ape from r
tho courtrooin WAS sensa tional, for he
threatened with death any and every
fere with him.
Morris is said to haye borne n bad
ity. and mumurings VI I OF OF . mob % Violence ]
have been heard on every side since
the wanton Staying Of the popular
This situation is said to account for
the action OF the court officials IN
seeking a militia detachment TO be
present at the preliminary hearing
Monday.
Prior to the shooting OF Magistrate
Suilivan.' Morris is said to have visited
the general store at Standardsville.
and. displaying his two pistols, is said
10 have threatened TO take the life OF
the justice should he sentence him on
the misdemeanor charge pending
against him.. He is said to have in
CURED specifically whether Sullivan
had come past the store. and. being
Informed to the contrary. he is said 20
have taken a whisky flask from his
pocket, emptied its contents down his
throat and left the store, declaring he
was going out to hunt the magistrate.
Another case is pending against
Morris in the Standardsvillc court. he
having been released on 4 bond of
$4,000 following his arraignment on a
charge of shooting James Norris at a
dance given on Christmas eve at the
Herman Shihett, said 10 have been
ilourished a gun while Morris was
making his. getaway Fie is now being
held in jail pending the action of the
court, having been captured by posse
after chase through the mount tains.