The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-20

tent judge, was accorded him; but fur
Their than that l had absolutely nothing
Whatever to do with the case, either di-
rectly or indirectly; nor did | know. or
even suspect, that any effort had been
made by any of the defendants to sup
press any testimony or in any manner to
lntimidate or influence any witness. or
other person. If such was done il was
without my knowledge or consent.
on or about May II last Messrs. d. II
Moody and b. f. Harrington came to my
place of business at Odum. Ga. when
Mr.. Moody told me that Mr.. Harrington
had confessed that he, and he alone. was
the perpetrator of the crime for which
he and the other three defendants-D N
Moody, j. d. Moody and H. B. Carter
had been indicted, and that Mr. Herring
ton desired to make an affidavit to that
erect; whcreupon l called Harrington into
my private Office. where no one was pres
ent, or in hearing, save Mr.. Harrington
and myself, and asked him If such state
plent was true, to which he replied In
the affirmative, and then said by way of
explanation, that as the other defendants
(aboVe named) were entirely innocent OF
the least knowledge of or connection with
the burning In any way whatever, either
directly or indirectly; and as he could not
be punished at most, by a sentence for
more than seven years in the penitentiary
ne ildu utClleu 70 tell the whole trutn
about st and to take upon himself. where
1t justly belonged the entire burden, and
ended by asking me IL he made an affidavit
to this effect would ID clear the other de-
fendants TO which / replied by telling him
| did not know, but If what he said was
really the truth and he really desired to
make an affidavit to that effecT I would
so with him to see some one who could
advise him as to its effect He then ar
tirTne1 an a VqTV clear nd sar1nha flo V,oa ~.
ner that il was true; whereupon / told
him, If he desired, we would go to see
Hon. Joseph w. Bennett of Brunswick.
Ga, that afternoon which he said was
mis- desire; but that he did not have sufi-
Gent money to pay the expenses of the
trip; but that if | would let him have the
money he would refund the same on the
reXt day after his return. Upon this re-
quest being made I bought his ticket to
brunswick and loaned him there, after our
arrival. 50. with which he paid his hotel
bill and railroad fare on our return.
I did not mention the matter to him
again until we reached Mr. BennetFs Of
fee, when | told Mr. Bennett Of his con
| fession and Mr. Bennett asked him IL
such was true, If he desired to make an
affidavit; # such was his free and volun-
lstary act. without any compulsion or UNI
due influence, etc. (he questioned him close
ly); all Of which he affirmed emphatically.
Mr.. Betnett believing the sincerity and
truthfuness of such statements, just as
I did, prepared the affidavit and let him
execute IT,
I had no idea whatever of any notes
on other promises or influences being used
as a consideration of this statement,
nor did ! learn of the existence Of such
until on Monday night after the trial had
begun. j. L. Harrington endeavored re-
peatedly during Monday, to induce me to
fHsftt1a hut ho .
explain TO what papers he alluded and
] learned from other parties, only on Mon
day night, to what he referred. He as
sured me that if / would purchase them
that nothing would be told about them,
and that his brother, b. +. Harrington,
would not swear against n. 3. Carter.
told him I would not give him, nor any
other man, cents to keep anything out
of evidence that was the truth that II
my brother was guilty of any such acts,
| would certainly do nothing TO suppress
the same, or TO keep il secret.
on last Monday night was the first time
/ had had the least intimation that any
such papers had been given, or that any
unfair or wrongful means had been en-
ployed. whether directly or indirectly, in
the defense of this case.
In conclusion, / desire to say that any
and all statements TO the contrary Of the
above, whether made by Messrs. b. f..
or j. i. Harrington, or any other per-
son, are malicious and Infamous false
hoods, and without the least foundation.
Lennard Carter.