Evening star., 1899-04-12
CITIZENS FEEL RELIEVED
Removal of John Berry to Baltimore for
Trial
Alleged Slayer of Miss Clarke Gets
Change of Venue-Precautfons
Against LynchinE.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

|
| UPPER MARLBORO, Md, April 12-Late
yesterday afternoon, as foreshadowed in The
Star, the court decided to remove the case
| of John Berry, colored, murderer of Miss
| Mary Amanda Clarke, 20 Baltimore for
| trial. Messrs. Stanley and Magruder, who
were assigned by the court to defend Berry
had a lengthy conversation with their client
while he was in Jail. When Berry suggest
| ed that the case might be removed counsel
| told him he would have nothing to gain by
such move. A change of venue, they sug-
gested, meant perhaps few days more
for the prisoner to live Should the case
be removed to an adjoining circuit, they
told him, he would be given a speedy trial,
or perhaps he might not get a trial. That
he would get a fair hearing here his coun-
sci had no doubt. and then his return 10
Baltimore would protect him against an out
break on the part of citizens, should one
be contemplated.
Berry, however, declined to take their ad-
vice and made an affidavit declaring he
could not get a fair trial in this county. The
sheriff and court officials were then noti-
fled of his request for change of venue.
All the officials concluded that the pris-
oner's speedy removal might prevent Il
lynching, and Sheriff Robey acted promptly.
While the crowd was in and about the
court building awaiting his arrival he was
taken over the back road leading through
Landover. When the citizens learned of
the action of the officials they We're very
much disgusted Many Of them had left
their fields and other places of labor to see
the prisoner and hear his case, and Were
therefore greatly disappointed when they
learned he had been spirited away.
States Attorney Bells had hoped for a
trial of the case yesterday in order to avoid
the extra expense of taking the case to
another circuit. He had made up his mind
to prevent the lynching Of Berry, if poss-
bic, and with this end in view had made
arrangements for the swearing in of score
of deputies. The men were on hand, ready
to take the oath, but their services were
not needed.
Berry Badly Frightened.
Berry was a badly frightened boy when
he reached here yesterday from Baltimore,
and he seemed to have an idea that the
law might not be permitted to take its
course. When he was taken from here only
a few weeks ago, after he had committed
the terrible deed, he was told that he
would not be hanged, in order that he
might not cause the officers any trouble
Because of this assurance he did not seem
troubled, but his conduct yesterday show
ed that he had undergone change. When
the county Jail was reached he seemed as
anxious to get inside the building as the
officials were to get him there The other
prisoners in the JAIL among them Thomas
Turner and John Simms, each charged with
murder, were anxious to get a look at him.
These two prisoners were also a little un-
easy, for they feared a visit to the prison
by mob might result in more than one
summary execution. Soon after the Berry
case had been disposed of by the court the
other alleged murderers We're arraigned
and no more attention was paid to their
cases by the spectators than is paid to an
ordinary trial for disorderly conduct before
a magistrate.
The mysterious movements of a strange
ylr0f NIvbn in rryx tnrJnv
casioned some gossip. 1t was reported that
this woman had revolver concealed be-
meath her coat and one dealer said she
called on him and wanted box of car
tridges. This particular dealer could not
accommodate her. What she intended to
do with the weapon is matter of con-
lecture.
Feeling of Relief.
When it was known that Berry had been
taken away the law-abiding citizens We're
greatly relieved. Especially was this true
with the wives of those living in and about
the town, for those who have lived here
any length Of time remember the conduct
of the lynchers in the cases of the Vermil-
lions, Green and others. When lynching
party appears on the road, nobody is per-
mltted to pass them in either direction, not
even women and children. At the time of
the iynching of Green a carriage containing
man and his family was stopped and the
husband was forced to join the mob while
the carriage was detained long enough to
prevent its occupants giving an alarm.
Speaking to The Star correspondent, States
Attorney Bells said there had not been a
lynchlng in the county since he was select
ed to the office which he now holds.
The case of Thomas Turner for the al
legged murder of Frank White, will be tried
Friday, while John Simms, who is accused
of numbering Charles Henry Tilghman, will
be arraigned the following day.