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Title
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ELMORE GRAND JURY DISCHARGES THREE
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Source Type
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Newspapers
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Author
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N/A
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Publisher
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Indictment Union Springs Hearld
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Publication Place
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Union Springs, AL
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Publication Date
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January 13, 1915
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Transcript
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ELMORE GRAND JURY DISCHARGES THREE Said That Absolutely No Evidence Could Be Found Against The Men Supected.__Inquiry is Continued. Wetumpka, Ala., Jan. 11--Ex- haustive investigation - into the lynching of Jim and Ed Smit,h negroes, charged with the murder of Mr. R. A. Stillwell, who were taken from the oficers and done to death on Monday morning, January 4, was made here today by the special grand jury called for that purpose. Many more witnesses will be heard tomorrow, and the inquiry will be continued until all probable sources of evidence are exhausted. Today examination resulted in the discharge of Messrs. Ed. Wade and Thomas Wade, and J. Penton, the only three suspects under arrest. It is positively stated that the grand jury could find absolutely no evidence against the accused men hence their discharge by the court. The three directed the militia, sent to prevent the lynching, to the scene of the crime. Whether or not other indictments will be made-tomorrow depends upon the ability of the officers to find some person or persons in position to throw some light on a subject that seems to be shrouded in mystery-witnesses, too, that may have seen the alleged lynching but who took no part therein. Judge W. W. Pearson, of the Circuit Court, convened the court and charged the special grand jury upon orders issued by Governor O'Neal following the lynching. ELMORE GRAND JURY DISCHARGES THREE Said That Absolutely No Evidence Could Be Found Against The Men Supected.__Inquiry is Continued. Wetumpka, Ala., Jan. 11--Exhaustive investigation - into the lynching of Jim and Ed Smit,h negroes, charged with the murder of Mr. R. A. Stillwell, who were taken from the oficers and done to death on Monday morning, January 4, was made here today by the special grand jury called for that purpose. Many more witnesses will be heard tomorrow, and the inquiry will be continued until all probable sources of evidence are exhausted. Today examination resulted in the discharge of Messrs. Ed. Wade and Thomas Wade, and J. Penton, the only three suspects under arrest. It is positively stated that the grand jury could find absolutely no evidence against the accused men hence their discharge by the court. The three directed the militia, sent to prevent the lynching, to the scene of the crime. Whether or not other indictments will be made-tomorrow depends upon the ability of the officers to find some person or persons in position to throw some light on a subject that seems to be shrouded in mystery-witnesses, too, that may have seen the alleged lynching but who took no part therein. Judge W. W. Pearson, of the Circuit Court, convened the court and charged the special grand jury upon orders issued by Governor O'Neal following the lynching.
