The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-19
DO NOT THINK HIM GUILTY.
The Colorcd People of Houston Ne
on Market Square.
ANOTHER GATHERING FOR TONIGHT
Committee 10 He Named 10 solicit
Eunds--Attorncys TO Seek a New
Trial for the Condemned Man.

The colored mass meeting at the market
last night was attended by about 1000
whites and colored, the purpose being, as
mentioned IN The Post OF yesterday, to de.
Use ways and means TO fight the verdict
OF the Jury In the Lewis williams murder
case, which the colcicd people OF Houston
believe to he an injustice. They tciicyc
Williams innocent of the crime charged &c
him, but at the same time do not censure
the jury or court. rs the verdict was found
Cd upon the evidence.
At o'clock Solom0n Gordon. the man
who led the movemett the night tcforc
mounted a platform and formally called tn,
gathering to order, The name Of Dr. Gar
nett, professor OF the Houston colorcd acad
cmy was proposed for permanent chairman
and he came to the front. addressing ths
crowd as follows
1--WE are not here TO appeal 10 the rreJu-
dlccs of any race or 10 mako charge
against the court or the jury which were
instrunental in the conviction of Lewis
Williams of the murder of Captain lkt
Baker They have discharged their duty
according TO law. We charge no one witt
error. but we do want TO announce the
meeting for tomorrow night, as per previ'
Gus arrangements. which is 10 be held al
the IT, NJ. u. hall, In the Sixth ward at
o'clock. We want to appeal % the citizens
of Houston and Harris county to give US
the means to get new trial for Lewis Wi
Hams, IL such il possible. Tomorrow night
we PROPOSE to appoint committees TO wall
upon the proper persons to obtain relief n
1t is TO be had. THIS viii require iundS
and we anpcal to all the liberty loving PEG
plc TO rive us assistance. II he is guilty
he deserves to die. II iurocent, he shoulc
be released and We hope to be able TO SNOW
that he is innocent
This Is not for the purpose OF TRADING
the Jury or to stir UP race prejudice, az
some newspapers have announced. but We
nre here In the behalf OF justice. liberty an
life. We do not want to argue the lnerlt
of the case or re-arrnign the accused
lie was enthusiastically npplaudSh ant
was followed by negro named CREEPY
who conducts the barber shop under Kan
clothing store. He said
III thought Williams was guilty
would not talk n minute. am IN posi-
iion to hear the opinions OF great hun'p"l
of persons. all Of whom ray they 20 moi
mini, mat Williams Is guilty az found by
the Jury. and II becomes our duty 10 Try t'
lborate him II possible. II Williams hnt
hacn sent up for life II would have Deer
different He would have had an "ppor-
tuul,v TO yindicate himself, Tut take ava,
from n man the last breath he has ana hi'
iips are sealed No one else is going u
confess the crime with one man aireauS
sacrificed on the altar of Justice.
Charles Wilson and a. j. Wakehelu ,oi
lowed. making short talks on the same ,'n'
as Greedy and Or. Carnctt, Nheh thcy np'
concluded /, was announced that v"iun'ecl
| cortrihutions would be received ny lr
| Garnet, between then md The time Tor tn'
n,oc,inc -, the L. ~ H. hall tonight
Tho negroes are comforting VITA n''or
news who have offered their opinion M.
there are grounds for new hearing, !, y
Witch ovcnt the case would probably 'ak
ano,har turn. Additional legal talent WI
he o,nplovcd to carry the case TO the Au
nrome court IL necessary, ana IN 'hls ihuNe
| ment the negroes say they nave u 'i'''
number of white people in'ores'e''