The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-04
SPARKS IS GRATEFUL
THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR
 HIS PROMPT ACTION.
MT. Jelks is Also Highly Praised by the People of Lee County.
 The Negro Protests His Innocence.

Opeiika, July s.--(SpeciaL)- )-Prof. c. H. Sparks. the alleged assassin of Jack 1ngersol. the prominent negro contrac- tor and carpenter of Phenix City, Is safely locked up in a cell in the Ope- lika jail and seems greatly relieved from his long and arduous pursuit. He is especially delighted that ne escaped lynching from bis tnfuriated fellow cit izens for the diAbolssal crime with waieh he is charged. He is very pro- fuse in his thanks to Governor Jelks and Adjutant General Brandon for their promptness in calling out the military and enforcing the law and preventing his lynching.
 Sparks talks freely about the crime with which he is charged and positive ly denies his guilt. He states that he was on friendly terms with Ingersol and that there was no motive for him to assassinate him and claims that on a trial he will prove an aiibi. He says he fled because he knew that he was charged with the crime and that there was great excitement and If captured he would be lynched but if he could escape and allow the excitement to subside and he would prove his inno- cence.
 Sheriff Hodge and Deputy Sheriff Moon deserve much praise and credit for their promptness. efficiency and de- termination to protect the prisoner from mob law. In a very short time after Deputy Moon notified Sheriff Hodge of the situation in PheHix he communicated with the Governor. ob- tained a special train and left for Phe- nix. The Lee Light Infantry promptly responded to the call from the Cover nor and were ready for departure in a G<rf ford gave the officers all the assistant ce in his power and went with the mili- tary and Sheriffs posse to Phenix. The action of Governor Jelks in calling out the military. protecting the prisoner and enforcing the law meets the hear tiest appreciation.
 All of this section Is being visited by fine rains daily and where the crops are out of the grass there Is great inn provement in their condition. The farmers are much encouraged over the outlook. The fruit crop in this section wiH be almost 0 complete failure.
 w. B. Gibson has resigned as . free rural mail carrier on route No. 2 at opelika and g. c. Tucker has been ap- pointed.
 The examination of applicants for positions as teachers in the public schools of Alabama, commenced before Prof. D. M. Banks. County Superinten- cent of Education of Lee County Mon day. and was completed today. The following white teachers were exam ined: Misses Minnie Watson, Bessie O'Hara. ' Hattie MeLendon. Bertha Grout. Kate Allen. A. V. Harris. M. I. Carr. Sudie Wallace. Charlotte Hall, Zadie Bennett. Frances Pierce and Mrs. Fannie Williams. J. T. Clack. J. R. Rutland and A. K. McKemie. Most of the white applicants stood examination in the first and second grades. The following colored teachers were exam ined: E. R. Thornton. T. B. Smith, Manuel Smith. J. H. Clark. R. A. Men afee. N. l.. Nelson, L. B. Perry, J. S.. IngersoIl. B. J. White. William Flake, R. S. Rives. J. P. Lawrence and Misses Moilie Phillip. Lealie L. Phillips. Mol lie V. Cole. Beatrice Clark, M. M. Lips comb E. A. Davis. Mary M. Jackson, Irene Flournoy. Lima Turner. Ele Will Hams. Annie P. Dowdell, Leila B. Hill, Annie c. Dawkins, Pennie E. Drake. L.. M. Farrenie. Lizzie B. White. Mrs. Ma linda Phillip and J. H. Loky. All the c"'ored applicants except one, R. s. Rives. were examined in the third grade.