The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-15


convict was ripping up flies when I've was
taken with cramps. Never saw Lomax
kick any convict.
Henry Williams, convict, did not see
Lomax kick any one. Heard the convict
complain to Lomax OF being sick; Lomax
told him to get on the car The convict
was trying TO get on the car, when witness
ran against him accidentally with piece
oi iron and knocked him down.
DR.. Jones is q praclicing physician at
Beulah. Is employed by the railroad COM
panv. Had a new case on the morning IT
December q, suffering with cramps. Did
not hear him complain OF any mistrca,-
ment.
DIR. McCaucy, also in the employ Of
the railroad company. The sick convict
told him he had not been mis,rcatcd by
LomuN.
The magistrate, properly sized up" the
value OF the defendants testimony when
he fined Lomax 500 in each case aud
sentenced him to six months imprson.
ment in each case. Upright Judge, II the
States where the convict lease system is in
vogue had many such magistrates the
cause OF humanity would be materially
advanced.
The day after the trial a reaction set in.
A small faction OF citizens began to array |
themselves on the prisoners side. II was
argued that the punishment was excessive |
and did not fit the crime. The Sheriff |
allowed the prisoner TO remain all night |
under parole in the custody Of his counsel |
and the next day he was permitted to per- |
ambulate the town at his own sweet willin |
search OF bail. lie was accompanied 10y m |
officer, deputy sheriff who sympathizcd |
with him deeply in his distress and treated |
him with the kindliest consideration. TnE |
APPEAL correspondent ran across him |
while ON one OF his s.rolling expeditions
Ills appearance and manner were utterly
unlike what is expected in the traditional
convict driver. Joe LomaN is about five
feet seven inches high, Of slight but wiry
frame, graceful caniage and engaging
manners. His features are clear cut and
regular his head well shaped aud his gen
er,l appearance handsome. His hair is
| light and his mustachc and side whi.kers
oil the same color, cut in the English style,
set of his features 10 advantage. His
eyes are small, but blue, his teeth white
aud regular and his siule pleasant and
winning. Over such olfihc other sex rs
do not look deep beneath the sur
face II is easy 10 Sc how lomnN
might exert q powtSlul fascination.
Certain pulled up lines under the
eye, however, denote the scnsualist
and the shape Of the mouth and curve OF
the lips bear unorring hints Of cruelty,
| but rs far rs mere manner and appearance
10 Lomax would make his way where
many men fail. II is somewhat singular
that the chief actor In the most sensational
murder OF modern times, llawcs Of Bir.
| ,nfu.,lust, - him ~ tho guWaa ~ A..
Of man. lie il described by Congressman
Bankhcad rs rather popular, well known
in railroad circles. always well drcsst a. aud
intelligent, aud man OF pleasing adj
dress" That describes lomax To dot,
vet HAYES killed his wife and two chill
drcn within week in order to crafty his
fancy Tor another woman lac desired to
marry. THIS DEPRESSION ~ for the benefit
Of such oi the citizens Of Bolivar County
who, having seen LONE In his agreeable
moods have become impff Sod with the con.
yiclion that 80 mild M. incrcd man could
never bc guilty Of the crimes charged
against him. The taller who turned the
kew ON him on Tuesday night went ~ far
~ 10 say that In eighteen yCan Of expert
cnco o. q turnkey lac never had ~ un-
pleasant a duty 10 perform as 10 lock up
Lomax.
On Tuesday, December n, the news be-.
gan TO spread that the convict Lucas, who
! fell In his tracks, aud who wis kicked and
lashed by Lomax, as testified 10 10y Prcs-
grove, hal died on MONDAY night almost
at the very hour when lomaN was sen.
fenced. The attending physician, Dr. Me
Caulcy, certified that hc died Of pncu-
monia. hut people will talk, you know,
and there are some people IN Roscdalo I'M
charitable enough 10 believe that Lucas
died Of the kick administered b him 10y
| Lomax. One other man who was knocked
down and kicked the same day has not
been seen since, but q convict named
Wiley DOdd died day or two thereafter
aud II may be lac was the man. The ply.
sicians In that casc also certified 10 "pncu-
monia" M 90 cause Of death. but 10 ~
turn 10 Lucas. The testimony bearing ON
his case was not all developed at the trial,
aud the ArrEAL correspondent, anxious Ia
make the investigation thorough and 10
hold some one 90 account for the mans
death, " n crime had been committed, ~
seemed likely, took thp liberty a. go be-
hind the returns and take q little tcsti.
mony on his own account Such OF the
Witnesses examined by him ~ we're free
men lac will name. such Is are conyicts ne
will not name for fear Of exposing them 10
certain torture, but II the Grand Jury oi
Bolivar County desires tlc list Oi the un.
named witnesses they vail be- furnished on
application.
TuE LUCAS HOHnon
Mr.. Walter s.lcrs, Young lawyer 81
Roycdalc, whose unHIuching champion
shin OF the cause Of DC weak aud OPP
pressed does him Infinite credit, gave the
ArrEAL correspondent tho following state
mrnu 81 vent downto where the conyicis
we're working on Thunluy December q,
between the hours Of ami o'clock p. N.
Did not stay over ten minutes ~ the con-
slruclion train had gouc after rails. Left
thcreand went 10 tho Convict Cage, in camp
near Bculah. Met d. Dulancy ON the
road and askcd him 10 accompany me.
We went into the cage Saw . big negro
suffering with pncu.nuua. lilo snld he
had no complaint Ia make. In one bunk
near The floor Jaw some .hiny wrapped pp
In q blanket 10 proved tO be- Lucas. d.
Dulancy examined him. Ills troubled res.
piaiion indicated pulmonary troubles.
Lucas said ho was F.ck but didn't know
what allied him. ! asked Dr. Dulancy to
! sioop down and insure him We were
friends, and that he might speak With
safety. lie then spoke up and said "Dly
. before Yesterday complained 10 Mr.. 10
max Of being sick. llo whipped me aud
sent mo out on the wor,g.'
Tng ArrrAL il informed that lho Louis.
! vile, New Orleans 4 Texas employs ply
J stefan 10 examine the mon before they %
. 10 work and permit no lick man 90 20 out,
Where was the physlcian that dHy2 til re