The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1893-06-30
DAHHABLR PLOT.

@
When this report became circulated
the public became aroused over the
villiaAous attempt TO assasinate the
character Of . man whom they knew
TO- be innocent, and there was printed
and posted the following notice:
PUBLIC MEETtNGl
The Citizens Of Scranton are reques-
ted to meet at the Court House to-
morrow Saturday evening, at 3
o'clock, to take action In reference to
the report circulated by Jas. Smith
In which MI. VIII T. Nix Il implica-
ted in the Clayton store robbery. Let
Justice to one Of our best citizens be
done.
CITIZENS OF SCRANTON.
Scranton, Miss, June q, 1893.
Saturday at the hour named q large
number Of our best citizens assembled
at the Court House In response to the
above notice, and the meeting was
called to order by G. 7. Irving, who
was chosen Chairman. G. II. Delmas
was elected Secretary. The following
preamble and resolutions, offered by
P. X. Mayors, were by q standing
vote unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, There has been circulate
ed upon the streets OF Scranton and
vicinity q certain report rejecting up.
on the honor, integrity and character
Of one of our best and most highly re-
spectsd citizens, MI. VIII T. Nix, Inn
plicating him in q dastardly deed ; and
WHEREIN, Such report having for
its only source q supposed confession
made by two self-cOnfessed robbers
and would-be murderers, James o.
Smith and Charles Tagcrt; now,
therefore, be 1t
RESOLVED, That we, the citizens OF
Scranton, In mass meeting assembled,
DESTROYS Of manifesting our confidence
in the integrity and honor of our high
ly esteemed citizen and neighbor, de-
sir0us OF repsoving and condemning
any attempt on the part of Others to
sully or injure the character Of an
innocent and honest man for the pro-
lection Of criminals whose punish
ment has not been completed, do now
seriously and most earnestly denOunce
the aforesaid report as false, untrue,
malicious, and unworthy Of belief.
We reject with contempt the confess
ion made by Smith and Tagert at this
late hour, particularly confessions
duplicating an honest man in such q
helliSh crime, unsupported by even
the slightest circumstance.
We further denOunce as q sneak and
a coward, a scoundrel and q william
any one who c~lrculates such reports
for the manifest purpose OF eliCitinp
sympathy for highway robbers anc
midnight aSSaSSlns.
RESOLVED, further, That a copy OF
these proceedings be given Mr.. Will
7. Nix, and a copy also to the Pasca.
g0ula DEMOCRAT-STAR, New Orleans
Picayune and Mobile Registe-.
Following the report Of the above
meeting, the Picayune publishes al
interview with James Smith, father
Of Jas. o. Smith, who was in New
Orleans Saturday. The Picayune In
teryiew says:
"When Captain Smith visited hi!
son the other day ut the penitcntiary
he asked the boy what he wanted Il
say to him during the trial. Jim sale
In a low tone: Papa, / want to con
TESS something His father told him
to come out with whatever he had Il
say, and fear nothing. The boys story
was a startling one to the father, To-
he had been q very good friend to tn,
man whom his s0n accused as an &C
cessOry to the crime, for which he Il
now serving a term Of twenty years
Young Smith told his father that JUS
a few days before he and Charlie Tag
ert shot Mr.. Cook, Mr.. Will Nix, !,
prominent merchant of Scranton
whom 1t ia claimed by some is slight!
jealous of MI. Cook on account q
business, came to himself and lager
and gave them $50 o piece TO hav'
them kill Cook. This they promised
to do, and in a few days they fulfilled
their promise and shot Cook. Smitl
stated to his father that had they mo-
been caught, he and Tagert woul,
have received more money for thei
work. Captain Smith told his DO,
that he was making q grave charg
against one of his friends, and aske'
him II he would swear to what he Ia,
SAID. He said that he would, an,
Tagert would verify him In his state
ment. Captain Smith called lager
and he cOrrOherated every word tina
Smith said. A few days ago Tagcrt'
father visited his son at the prison 4
Jackson. Captain Smith had no
told Of the statements made by til
two boys, but wheu Mr.. Tagert 50,
his son he was told the same story
and on his return to Scranton NJ
Tagert spoke Of the interview he ha
with the two boys. Everybody In tn
t0wnwas surprised and couldn't believ
that IL was true, for Mr.. Nix is Wel
liked and ID a prominent and respects
BILE merchant and has any number Q
friends"
The charges made against MI. NJ
are 30 utterly unreasonable, 50 CON
pletely shallow and devoid Of any fea
ture that would make them be belle,
ed By any disinterested sensible mind
even II the unimpeachahle characte
I"-I-.N |D.|E N.L|
and life Of the man was consider
cd. Not . man, woman or child Q
any intelligence who Il famtlial
with the crime charged against til
boys, viii lslisve their story /; IL
too absurd. II Is known that th
prisoners were In jail several week
before trial and not only given an Of
Dortpnity To mals other confessions
but closely questioned c~onc3rning q
efythipg connected With thscrims b
attorneyp, reposteS and oeloets, u
not the sllstest intlmation Of thI
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