White Man Attempts Rape on R. H. Bayton’s Wife.
August 10, 1907
Summary
A murderer was stopped by two black men before raping a black women. The judge delays the case with “scarcely any reasonable ground.”
Transcription
White Man Attempts Rape on R. H. Bayton’s Wife.
Saluda, Va., July 23-Special- Richard Walden was indicted here by a special grand jury, charged with attempt to commit rape on R. H. Bayton’s wife. On last Saturday R. H. Bayton, was busy at his store, which is about one eighth a mile from his residence. This man, Walden entered the house through the front door seized Mrs. Bayton, threw her down, choked her and bruised her badly and tried to drag her in a private room.
Mrs. Bayton made an outcry and two colored men heard her scream and came to her rescue. Walden is a bad character, yet the white people are trying to shield his crime. He is now in jail. Two years ago he served a year for murder of a white man in Lancaster County.
To the surprise of all concerned the State Attorney allowed the case to be continued until September. The attorney for the defense asked for continuance, which the court declined to give and said it would allow them two days to prepare for the defense. But later District Attorney agreed to allow the case to go over until the next term for scarcely any reasonable ground.
In the case of Sim Bagby who was charged with attempt on a white woman a few months ago, the Judge was notified and he came here and held a special court, tried and convicted him to be hanged in one day with very slight evidence.
Saluda, Va., July 23-Special- Richard Walden was indicted here by a special grand jury, charged with attempt to commit rape on R. H. Bayton’s wife. On last Saturday R. H. Bayton, was busy at his store, which is about one eighth a mile from his residence. This man, Walden entered the house through the front door seized Mrs. Bayton, threw her down, choked her and bruised her badly and tried to drag her in a private room.
Mrs. Bayton made an outcry and two colored men heard her scream and came to her rescue. Walden is a bad character, yet the white people are trying to shield his crime. He is now in jail. Two years ago he served a year for murder of a white man in Lancaster County.
To the surprise of all concerned the State Attorney allowed the case to be continued until September. The attorney for the defense asked for continuance, which the court declined to give and said it would allow them two days to prepare for the defense. But later District Attorney agreed to allow the case to go over until the next term for scarcely any reasonable ground.
In the case of Sim Bagby who was charged with attempt on a white woman a few months ago, the Judge was notified and he came here and held a special court, tried and convicted him to be hanged in one day with very slight evidence.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Benton Camper
Citation
“White Man Attempts Rape on R. H. Bayton’s Wife.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 18, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/870.