The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1898-12-21
Stole a Pair OF Gloves Exciting Foot Race
and Interesting Trial.

Mr.. John Johnson, farmer OF the
Berea locality, while down at Potts q
Duerson's mill one day last week pulled
his gloves off in the Office and stepped
into the mill for a few minutes. On
his return the gloves were missing, and
no one being present but a mulatto,
who gave his name as Tom White, but
who is better known as Will Blythe. a
"Scacytown" negro, suspicion pointed
TO his having taken them. Blythe
got his grinding shortly and started
down the pike home, picturing to him.
self the comfort of his ill-gotten proper
ty on zero morning.
Mr.. Johnson and Rev. Mr.. Hunter,
the White Station pastor, also left the
mill about the same time, the former
going down after his mail, and after
falling in company with the negro just
before they reached the pOstoffice, Mr.
johnson asked him about his lost
gloves, but the negro replied that he
had seen nothing OF them.
"Well," said Johnson. Il hate TO ac-
cuse you of stealing but it looks rather
suspicious-would you object to my
searching your mo sir, 'coas' not, ~
the negro promptly replied. Whereup.
on Mr.. johnson ran his hand into the
negrO's bosom and out came the gloves.
Hello! what is this" ne asked-but
a frog having risen in the negro's
through he was not able to answer.
Get down off of that horse and 90
with me-" said Johnson. mo, boss,
Ise got to take this turn on home
cause we's out of meal" "Durn ' our
meal, you just come on here,' eX-
claimed Johnson. At these deter
mined remarks the negro rolled off his
horse, but to JOhnson's surprise, on the
opposite side of the horse, and down
the pike through the snow, in the di-
rection OF Farristown, he went at a 2 :4O
clip. This didn't bluff Johnson, how
ever, who went in persuit of him, and
after half an hours chase he came
marching back TO the postoffice, his
captive in front of him to where at least
a dozen visitors stood waiting with
anxious eyes for a good look at the
shivering darkey, who, no doubt, was
wishing that the earth would open and
swallow him up.
Mr.. Johnson agreed to turn his prison
er over to the crowd and let them decide
as to what manner they should dispose
of him. Ollie McWilliams being pres
ent, as usual. suggested that the case
should go into trial, whereupOn a Jury
was summoned. McWilliams and Rev.
Hunter were appointed as attorneys,
and the case was called. 1t was such
plain case that the negro had stolen
the gloves, that testimony was unneces-
sary, hence the fate OF the humble
prisoner, who stood under guard of
Sheriff johnson, rested entirely on the
strongest and most eloquent argument
Va ShO wv "Oieiiy detOiAcy C "C w III
Jams. being for the defense, made the
leading address, and indeed it was a
mighty plea for his clients liberty.
Look at the poor shivering prisoner"
pleaded McWilliams, with fingers
aching from cold for the want of a
cheap pair of gloves; who would blame
him for picking up something to cover
his frosty hands when such temptations
are set before him? Why, j would have
stolen them myself. Doubtless he
thought that Mr.. johnson, observing
his need of gloves, LETT them there for
him. But gentlemen" continued Nc
Williams, admitting that my client is
guilty, you Iuust remember that steal
ing at mills is not considered a crime.
Therefore, insist that the prisoner is
innocent of crime and YOU should give
HIM his liberty and the gloves !"
Attorney Hunter, for the Common
wealth, attempted to answer Attorney
McWilliams, claiming, that as it was an
abvious fact the negro had stolen the
gloves it would be encouraging roguery
to turn him loose without punis hment,
and he should by all means be sent to
Jail, or given 24 hours in Bob Potts
mill pond. But the jury considered
McWilliams last point sufficient to
ly to send him home.
Moral: Stealing at mill is not a
punishable otfense.