The age-herald., 1898-04-08
HE LANE SIDE OF IT.
Negro Guards Were Not Over White Prisoners When Mir. Lane
 Was Mayor.

tttoUnCio UHCn Usis hoiO
 Was Mayor. The Lane campaign committee furnishes the following in reply to the publication in yesterdays News, signed "The Stiles Cam paign Committee;
 AFFIDAVIT NO 1. The State of Alabama,
 Jefferson County
 Before me, R. DuPont Thompson, a mo- tary public in and for said county, in said state, personally appeared the undersigned: J. J. Curran, warden city prison; Geo. H. Bodiker, warden city prison; D. O.. Ryan, warden city prison; S. M. Mingea, clerk police court; J. B. Donaldson, street commissioner for the years 1887-18SS;
 A. J. Tomin, guard; who, being by me duly sworn on oath say that the statement that negro guards were ever used in connection with white pris- oners, except to do menial service, such as carrying water and taking negro prisoners to the closet, during A. o. Lanes admin tstration as mayor of the city of Birming- ham, is unqualifiedly false. (Sgned) J. J. CURRAN, (Signed) GEO. H. BODIKER, (Sgned) S. M. MINGEA, (Signed) J. B. DONALDSON, (Signed) A. J. TOMLIN. Sworn to and subscribed before me this Eth day of April, A. D.. 1S9S
 R. DUPONT THOMPSON,
 Notary Public.
 AFFIDAVIT NO. g. State of Alabama,
 Jefferson County
 Before me, R. DuPont Thompson, mo- tary public in and for said state and county, personally appeared F. M. Gardner, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that during A. o. Lanes administration in 1887 and 1888, he employed as street com missioner for a term of about fourteen months; that during a part of that time he was under the supervision of John Moore, street commissioner and after - Moores death had absolute control of other foremen and guards; during that time there were no negroes employed who had either direct or indirect charge of any white pris- oners whatsoever. He further saith that all guards were employed by the street commissioner and discharged by him when complaint was made against them, and that A. o. Lane had nothing whatever to do either with employing or discharglng such guards.
 (Sgned) F. M. GARDNER. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of April. 1898
 R. DUPONT THOMPSON,
 Notary Public. The State of Alabama,
 Jefferson County.
 Before the undersigned authority person. ally appeared J. T. Maynor, who states on oath follows:
 I was a street foreman for nearly two years under the Hon. A. O. Lane, who was at that time mayor of the city of Birming ham, and l do know that there was negro foreman or guards who had any authority prisoners.
 Negroes were only employed to do menial services, such as carrying prisoners to the closets, etc, and that only by the orders of the foreman.
 furthermore certify that the work done by the negro was of such a character and nature that white man would not per- form it.
 (Signed) J. T. MAYNOR Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of April, 1s9S
 VON l.. THOMPSON,
 Notary Public.
 AFFIDAVIT NO. 8. State of Alabama,
 Jefferson County.
 Before me- Jerry Fountain, notary pub lie and -officio justice of the peace in and for said county in said state, personally appeared Jack Higgins, who is known to me, and who, being first duly sworn, on oath, deposeth and says that it has come to his knowledge that it Is rumored that he has said that during certain time when he was being worked on the streets of Birmingham, he was under negro guards or negro guard, and that this was during the administration of Hon. A. O. Lane, as mayor Affiant states that this rumor is absolutely untrue and without foundation in fact; that at no time during MT. Lanes administration was he ever worked on the streets or elsewhere under a negro guard: that the only time he was ever so worked was in the early part of the year 1893, which was not during the administration of Mr. Lane as mayor.
 his
 JOHN x HIGGINS.
 mark. Sworn to and subscribed before me the 9th day of April A. D., 1898.
 JERRY FOUNTAIN, Notary Public and ex-Officio Justice of the Peace.
 Witnesses:
 B. A. Paschall.
 R. F. Sharit. -