The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-06
PENDLEY CONFESSES AGAIN.
SAYS THIS TINE HE DID NOT KILL
POLICEMAN pom DER.

HOLiA EMAN PCNE1AlH.
Claims Now He Told the story SO as
TO Get on the Chain-gang and Get
in JniI-But His Former Statement
Was Corrobornted-GoV. Gamblers
Rcturn-JeTerson Refuses to Give
Bcneft-W orl>ins on the state
Fair.
Atlanta. April John Pendley, the con-
vict wao was removed from the DeKaih
county chain-gans six weeks ago to the
Fulton county jail, in consequence Of his
confession that he ana man named
Baukstoa were suiity OF the murder OF
Policeman Ponder which occurred eigh-
teen months ago, and has remained a mys-
terry. came TO the front to-day with an
other confession.
This time, however, he confesses that
he was lying in his original confession
lying for the purpose Of getting out Of the
chain-gang into jail he says he had a
rocky road 10 travel in The chan-gang,
because the boss had it in for him. and
he hit upon the idea of confessing to the
Ponder murder 60 escape what he con-
sidered bad treatment.
Pendley. however, frankly admits that
he does not expect any one 70 believe
what he now says, though it is true, as he
will be able to prove an abb when placed
on triai for the Ponder murder.
He and Bankston, who is also in jail,
have both been indicted by the grand jury
upon the strength of Pendley's confess
sion. The police claim. though, to have
strong corroborauve evidence against both
men and say that Pendley's new story
is the result of fear that he Is going to be
made TO pay the penalty of his crime on
the gallows.
Now Says Morphine Did Ii.
When Pendley confessed he said he was
moved by conscience and that he wanted
TO be punished for what he had done. The
fact that Pendley was known TO have been
addicted to the use of morphine gave his
confession a fishy appearance to some of
the officers at the time it was made,
though 1t was apparently accepted by the
department after the discovery of some
corroborative details.
q, In denying the truth of this confession
to-day Pendley said that he supposed the
morphine habit had something TO do with
putting the idea into his head. Other peo-
pie have thought him weak minded before
this. and he said to-day that he supposed
he did not have a very bright set of brains.
After the first of his alleged confessions
he says that the city detectives helped
him on, and il was an easy matter even
for a dun fellow to get details and crcum-
stances in good order following their lead.
The detective, however declared that the
prisoner is only acting under the advice of
his lawyer and has given out the denial of
the confession to have an effect on his
trial When Chief of Police Manly heard
of the denial he said he was not surprised,
as he expected something of that kind
from Pendey
Governor Has Returned.
Gov. Gambler returned to his office at
the capitol to-day, after his trip TO AL
bany 20 attend the Chautauqua there. He
was much pleased with the reception given
him and especially impressed with the AL
bany military company which turned out
TO escort him. The Chautauqua, Gov.
Gambler says, is a great success and de
servedly so, as it reflects much credit
upon the people of the Wiregrass, who
conceived it,
VIII Give No Benefit.
Joseph jefferson. the actor. who s
booked for an appearance here next Sat
urday, says init to the request of the
Atlanta gentlemen who wanted him "a
play a benefit performance 10 raise funds
for the entertainment of the library con
vention, which meets here i'm a few weeks.
Mr.. jefferson was written to several
days ago by Mr.. T. H. Martin at the
instance of the committee in charge OF
the arrangements for the reception of the
library delegates. and to-day Mr.. Martin
received a reply from the veteran actor in
which he said he had so many calls made
upon him for benefits that he was Obliged
to refuse such contribution to Allan
ta's entertainment fund, though he has
always taken and still takes a deep in
terest in the library association. of which
he is an honorary member, having acuufr-
ed this membership on account of a bene-
mt given some years ago.
Young Potts Drowned.
Mr.. Frank Potts. a well known citizen
received a telegram to-day announcing
that his son Dunley Potts had been drown
ed on the Chattahoochee river near La
Grange, How the accident happened could
not be ascertained. The unfortunate Young
man was well known and had many
friends in the city
state Fair News.
President Pope Brown of the State Apri-
cultural Society, with several members ot
the Executive Fair Committee of the So
ciety was in the city to-day COMFORTING
with the local fair committee The ioin,
committee ratified the plan for a big horse
snow and race meet during the fair. and
some attractive purses will be announced
The railroads have signified willing.
ness TO haul exhibits to the fair free al
charge, and this viii go far 10 insure q
me exhibit of the states products.
-s-s-s--