Two in Jail at Harper’s Ferry Are Threatened with Lynching.

NEGROES AS HIGHWAYMEN
Two in Jail at Harper’s Ferry are Threatened With Lynching.

[Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.]
Charlestown, W. Va., July 10.– Almost at the same spot where George W. Williams, a negro, committed an assault near Harper’s Ferry three weeks ago four negroes– Ashby Williams, “Bud” Twyman and “Gib” Twyman, of Luray, Va., and Larkin Reed, of Madison county, Va.– it is alleged, tried to hold ups several persons who were passing yesterday afternoon.

It seems the men hid in bushes on the bank of the river and whenever a buggy passed they attempted to hold up the occupants, and in addition threw stones at them. After their third attempt they devoted their attention to a carriage containing Major and Mrs. Newmeyer and Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, all of Washington, D. C. The authorities were notified and a party started in pursuit. Williams and Reed were captured, but the other two escaped. The prisoners were locked up at Harper’s Ferry and, owing to the witnesses not being able to attend, the examination was continued. The feeling against the men is bitter and it is stated at Harper’s Ferry that several attempts were made to take them out of the jail and lynch them. Williams says he and his associates were drunk and they did not know they had done anything wrong. The negroes have been employed at the plant of the Washington Building Lime Company, at Bakerton, and have only been here a short time.