Floyd Allen Denies Conspiracy

The Bluefield Telegraph, Bluefield, W. Va. Thursday Morning, March 21, 1912

FLOYD ALLEN DENIES CONSPIRACY EXISTED

Tells New York World He Was Ready To Go to Jail and Did Not Start Shooting.

The New York World prints the following special dispatch from Roanoke.

Floyd Allen, whose sentence to one year's imprisonment led to the tragedy in court at Hillsville last Thursday, today gave exclusively to the World the only statement he has made for publication since the shooting up of the court. It reads:

"I and my son have been locked up here nearly a week now. I want a square deal. I want the New York World to tell the people of this country my side of the tragedy.

"In the first place, my son Victor never fired a single shot. We both expect to be electrocuted. Our murder is as certain as the sun will rise tomorrow. But it will be plain murder if they put Vic in the chair. Me? Why, sure, I fired. "But before God I give you my solemn oath I did not start the firing. I did not know when Judge Massie pronounced sentence that there would be any shooting. It came unexpectedly to me. That there was a conspiracy is a damned lie."

"Of course, when everybody else started shooting I go my pistol and joined in the fray. Why shouldn't I? It was a self-defense. When our people went in the courtroom they intended to kill nobody, and I at heart was ready to got o jail. I am not afraid and that is what is looking us in the face.

"Judge Hariston is my lawyer, but they won't give him any show. We will be tried in Carroll county if I have any say about it, and we Allens--we are fighting men--will show them how an Allen can go to his death; but Vic, I want you to help save him. The boy never drew his gun; may be he ought to have, but he didn't.

In giving this statement to the World correspondent, ex-Judge M. H. Hairston said; "I was asked by Mr. Allen to visit him today and when I saw him he insisted on my acting as his counsel. I have not decided whether I will do so or not, but no matter what position I take I would like the World to print this statement;

"Both Victor and Floyd Allen have given me their solemn oaths that they did not start the firing, that day in the Hillsville court house. I believe them. These are not ordinary types of mountaineers. These people are men of property and sense. No matter what crime a man may have committed he is entitled to a fair hearing and these people will get theirs or I will know the reason why."

Floyd Allen is comparatively speaking an old man, but he is still strong and vigorous. Standing over six feet in his socks his carriage is erect; he is alert and vigorous with a mass of curly hair covering his head. His brow is broad, his eyes twinkle and flash as he speaks. He is better educated than the usual mountaineer and he talks with intelligence upon ordinary current topics. Judge Hairston was permitted to visit him today only after repeated attempts. A minister also visited him for more than an hour and after he left said: "Whatever this man's crime may be he has repented and the gates of heaven will not be closed against him."

In his talk with his lawyer, Allen bent down and wept. "Judge," he said, "I am not afraid to die, but my wife. I love her today as much as I did when I married her when I was a boy. These people won't let me see her or send her a message.

"Never!" was the emphatic reply, "We are now marked men. To give in would be to sign our own death warrants. No, the Allens will fight." Here the old man broke down and wept pitifully and implored the lawyers to save Victor.

Thirty of the Allens and their followers held a two-hour conference within three miles of Hillsville this afternoon. It was decided to fight to the finish and not to yield either to the Virginia or federal authorities. As a result and warning the following notice, scribbled in pencil on a sheet of coarse brown wrapping paper, was posted on a tree, a mile from Hillsville, on the public road.

"To those who has made it their business to concern.

"We have plenty of arms and bullets. We know how to use them. These hills is an unhealthy place for strangers to visit. Remember this, You kin git us in the end maybe but we will git you first."