Orange County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News.....Herdon Caught. August 7, 1868
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Angie Rapids angierapids@gmail.com March 26, 2023, 9:36 am

Native Virginian August 7, 1868
Herdon Caught. -As we predicted, Herdon has been caught. After wandering about 
until he was exhausted, he went on Tuesday night last to the house of a negro in 
Louisa, mistaking it for that of a relative. His appearance roused the negro's 
suspicion and he went early int he morning to Mr. Jas. Woolfolk and told him 
what had occurred, at the same time directing him to the residence of a Mr. 
Grady, a kinsmen of Herdon's, who lives some three or four miles from 
Trevillian's depot. There he was found by Mr. Woolfolk and party, consisting of 
three others, about 7 o'clock in the morning. He was asleep and slept so soundly 
that Mr. W. thought he was "possuming." But he was simply worn out. He offered 
no resistance to his captors but was brought quietly to this place, reaching the 
village about 4 o'clock int he afternoon. His arrival caused a stir among our 
people, who are not stirred easily. There was a report that an attempt was about 
to be made to lynch him, but nothing of the kind occurred or was meditated. He 
was carried at once to the jail and secured by a chain just long enough to 
enable him to reach his bed. Other precautions against his escape were taken. 
Soon after he entered the jail, he began to tell how he escaped and seemed about 
to tell the whole story, but was stopped by someone who cautioned him not to 
criminate himself or others. He still persists in asserting his innocence and 
says great injustice was done him in calling his explanation a "confession." He 
insists that the whole of it be printed - As he walked from the buggy in which 
he came to the jail, he tottered, and looked the picture of death itself - so 
pale, haggard and exhausted was he. - He says he stayed the night of his escape, 
in the woods to the right of Col. John Willis's new house. Mrs. Herndon has been 
there since her husband's escape, and evinced much anxiety about the publication 
of Herndon's Life. It now seems probable that this terrible tale of blood -one 
of the most terrible that ever happened in Virginia -will be cleared up.

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