-
Title
-
Reward Offered for Arrest of Lynchers
-
Source Type
-
Newspapers
-
Author
-
E. E. Kersh
-
Publisher
-
Birmingham Age-Herald
-
Publication Place
-
Birmingham, AL
-
Publication Date
-
07/10/1901
-
Transcript
-
REWARD OFFERED FOR ARREST OF LYNCHERS Governor Jelks Issues a Proclamation Setting Out That a Lawless Mob of Unknown Citizens Mobbed a Helpless Negro in Elmore, and Offers Reward for Them BY E. E. KERSH. Age-Herald Bureau, Clancey's Hotel, Montgomery, July 9.-(Special.)-Governor Jelks has determined to use his every effort to suppress lynchings in Alabama, and with this end in view he today offered a reward of $200 each for the arrest and conviction of persons who participated in the lawless hanging of a negro in Elmore County last week. It will be recalled that Robert White, colored, was lynched in Elmore County on July 2 by a mob of "unknown" citizens. White had been charged with an assault with a weapon upon a white man residing near Tallassee, claiming that the white man had slaughtered the former's chickens while in the latter's yard. The case has attracted widespread attention and the lawlessness universally condemned. Governor Jelks has been investigating the matter, with the result that he today issued the following proclamation of reward: Whereas, Robert White, a helpless citizen of this State, in charge of a peace officer and on his way to a jail of detention, was foully set upon and murdered by a mob of unknown persons in Elmore County on the 2nd day of July, 1901, disgracing the State, bringing discredit and dishonor upon the fair name of justice and outraging all good people - a crime for which there was no possible excuse, the prisoner himself not being charged with a capital offense. Now, therefore, I, William D. Jelks, Governor of Alabama, by virtue of the authority in me vested, do issue this proclamation, offering a reward of two hundred dollars for evidence which will secure the final conviction of each one of the persons who engaged in this assault upon the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama, costing this helpless prisoner his life and all law-abiding citizens annoyance and shame; provided that the total reward for the conviction of any number of those engaged shall not exceed eight hundred dollars. Done at the Capitol, in the city of Montgomery, this the 9th day of July, 1901. (Great Seal) WM. D. JELKS. By the Governor: ROBT. P. McDAVID, Secretary of State.
