The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-28
G. @. REID FOUND GUILTY
or Completely in tho Piummorvillo Eloo
ton Intimidation Case.
epecial pisnatch 10 The Appoal

or Completely In tho Piummorvilie Eloo-
ton Intimidation Case.
Special Dispatch 10 Tho Appeal
LItrLE Rock, Ark. April 27.-Ths la
been the greatest day in the alleged clecs
ton fraud cases In the Federal Court since
the investigation began, some three weeks
ago, and the result Of today's trial was the
conviction Of two Of the Conway County
men, q. c. Reid and James Lucas Tho
case agains, Reid, James l.acas and John
o. Blakeny occupied tho court all
day. The evidence adduccd was about as
follows On the day OF election at Plum
mcrvillc, Howard Township, Conway
County, two darkics named Armistead and
Hays aud a white gentleman named Thos.
G.. lIeryoy, who had been appointed by
the County Court ~ Election Judges,
were at the polls at one time. Some
question was raised NJ 10 llcrycy's
authority 10 serve by Ropubli-
can Supervisor named Wahl, (the
County Judge had appointed him In yaca-
ton In Wallis place. A vote was put 10
the bystandors aud lloryey was elected.
lIcrvey then missed the question Of the
colorcd Judges authority. ON the ground
that they had not qualified at the Sepiom-
Der election. aud had hence lost their
position ~ Judges. And the vote was
nut aud two white Democrats were elected
In the darkics stead. The polls were then
opened and the three white judges sworn
in. The two negroes, Armistcad aud
HAYS. thought they had boon wrongiully
oustcd, and went down the street 10 bar
Der shop and prepared 10 open separate
polling place. The defendants, Reid, Lu-
cas- and llakenry. who were Deputy
shefinA, went down aud told the darkios
that il would be unlawful for them 10 10
open separate polling place, aud told them
todispcue, which they did. Tho evidence
for the prosecution was that rough language
WIS used toward them; that the ballot.b0x
which they had prepared was wrcsicd from
/ them; that the defendants all carried pistols,
and in an abusive manner ordered them 10
dcaist from their attempts 10 open polling
place or they would 10 put IN the calahoose.
| Nearly all u the witnesses for the Govern
ment were dafkics.
The defense Ia evidence stated that the
defendants were acting In the capacity Of
officers Of the law. That some feeling WIS
rife between lac two parties, which would
have, doubtless, resulted Ia u disturbance
| ol the peace " tie Two colofcd men Mcfe
allowed 10 open the separate polls. Tho
defendant honestly believed that the
three white men were the duly authorized
Judges Of election. aud acted In good
iaith in supprcssing the nitompt OF th,
men Hays and Armisicad 20 sot up an OPP
position polling place. They considered
Il violation NJ the law for them 10 do 20
and acted a. conscientious peace otliceu
In preventing H. IL scoms from the cyi
dence that Lucas was The man who did
most. II not all. Of the talking when direct
inc the colofcd Judges 10 desisi from thel
attempts 10 open the opposition rolls
Mcssrs Rsid and Blakenry only standing
by and acquicscing In what. was done.
Judge John Mcclure and y w. Allen
appeafed for the Government aud Judg'
II. NJ. Ross and John Fletcher Tor the de
fcndant. al Of whom made lengthy afgu
nents Ia behalf Of their clients. Judg