Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-03
Mob Gathers at Montross
Jail But is Dispersed By
Attorney Mayo
REMOVED FOR SAFETY
Eastwood and Miss Knox Removed
To Fredericksburg After threats
of Lynching by Residents at Beach.

Fredericksburg, Va, Oct. s.
Fearing mob violence, Sheriff P. F.
Griffith, of Westmoreland county,
today brought Roger D. Eas.lake
ana Miss Sarah Z. Knox, who are
accused of the brutal murder of
Eiastlake's wife at Colonial Beach
last Friday, from Montross, where
u mob of 20 are said to have gath
cred around the Jail late last night
shouting threats of "lynching."
Few people of Montross knew the
accused couple were taken away to-
day, as Sheriff Griffith kent his
plans secret for fear an attempt
would be made to attack the auto
on the road to Fredericksburg. Grif-
fith was accompanied by +. 8.
Walker, deputy sheriff. Both were
heavily armed.
The trip was made in a closed
car over an out Of the way route.
instead of coming by the way of the
Northern Neck highway, the journey
was made over the Tidewater trail.
Griffith arrived here shortly be-
fore o'clock with his prisoners.
Trey were Immediately taken TO the
fredericksburg jail, where extra
precautions are being taken to pre-
vent any attempt Of a mob to cneat
Justice A special guard has been
assigned to duty at the jail.
On the trip here, Miss Knox, who
is a graduate nurse, protested her
innocence to Sheriff Griffith. East
lake remained silent.
Colonial Beach, Va, Oct. 3.-ln-
.crvention by W. I. Mayo, com
n70nweath attorney, last night
halted mob of 20 men, whlch was
moving toward Montross with the
expressed intention OF iynching
Roger D. Eastlake and Miss Harah
E. Knox.
Five automobiles driven in close
formation approached the little lalii
and upon reaching a point several
hundred feet distant, the attackers
leayed from the cars ,shoatlnng
threats upon the lives Of the prls-
Each carried revolver or a
Gun. Ii was at this point hat
5ttornev Mayo, who had been in
waiting under cover of shadows IN
front of the jail, flashed on the
headlights of his automobile and
stepped into the glare. demanding
20 know what they intended to do.
Stunned by the suddenness Of the
,,,ncarance of an opposing force.
tah attackers halted, but ONLY for
short time when they again
threatened to attack the jail, the
leaders declaring that they were
rnlnr to see that justice was done
IN This case
" Navo, still holding his position
rear the door Of the Jail, did noe
retreat, but informed the men tnat
",rstice would be DONE" bu- that
+ would be nletcd out in the way
that fhcv seemed TO sdesire it.
Seeing that Mayo was. deter
imncd in his effort to prevent the
inrnnded lynching, the mob leaders
again halted and after deliberatln!g
among themselves, and with the ala
of nlcas for sanity from Mayo, hey
re-entcred the automooileS heHr'S
a,i hour later and departed.
Mayo and hastily gathered
Guard consisting Of about a cozeh
2rned citizens remained at posi-
tions surrounding the jan until
d:yOreak. 4.;s
Feeling ran hlgh Ihroustiou III
,ooion when the coroner's JurT ield
the two on charge Of murder:
1hov we're accused of having
licked their victim with a hatenet,
sfabhinc her, and shooting her.
Men and women collected on inc
streets, and threats OF !yncnlhs
wcre made. The prisoners were
r,oved to Montross, as result oA
thiS. ot4,, officar
in the navy. Miss Knox, ]"
graduate nurse.