The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-22

''The trial of Fannie Bryant was com menced on September s. 1889. and. as stated, resuited tn her conviction of mur- der in the first degree and sentence to the penitentiary for life
 Then, m his own handwriting. Judge Green transcribed the testimony in the -casA which he sent to Mrs. Trapp.
 After reviewing some of the testimony in the case. Judge Greene continues:
 'I have always had grave doubts about Fannie Bryant having had anything to do with the killing or having had any knowledge of it until after it was com mitted. In other words, do not think the evidence satisfactorily establishes the fact that she was either principal in the first or second degree. or an accessory before the fact. I do not think the evil dence tended to strongly show that she was an accessory after the fact, or rath- CT, that she knew of the fact of the kill ing after it was done and concealed 1t.
 "Unde- the law of this State. an access sorry after the fact is punished by a fine of not more than sI.eoo and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sen- fenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.
 .I think all of the evidence against the defendant, except that of Emeline Groom. can be reconciled upon the theory that she was only an accessory after the fact
 "Feellng as I do. I am constrained to recommend that Fannie Bryan be paroled or pardoned.
 By way of explanation. will state that while Fannie Bryant was tried for the murder of Mrs. Emma Hawes, little Irene Hawes's body was also found in the same lake
 Referring to the testimony of the wo- man. Emeiine Groom, Judge Greene says that she was old and decrepit, having to be brought to the court fin carriage and that he had reason to doubt her state ments. believing that she was weak minded
 The pardon of Fannie Bryant was rec commended in a petition signed by the fol- lowing citizens of Montgomery: W. H. Thomas. Associate Judge of the City Court; Edward A Graham. Robert E.. Steiner, Selig Gassenheimer, Hobbie & Teague, c. A. Stern & Co.,, R. M. Hen derson, E. Wolff, D. H. Carr. E. c. An. drew. J. P. Bullock, J. M. Falkner and Alex Rice.
 Citizens of Jefferson County signed the petition for clemency as follows: Judge S. E. Greene. Judge of the Criminal Court; H. P. Hefiin, Solicitor of Jefferson County; Daniel A. Greene, H. B. Aberna- thy. George M. Morrow. John G. Bradley. F. s. Ferguson, B. B. Conner, J. c. Marx, Judge Charles A. Senn of the City Court. J. E. Webb. Nj. T. Porter former Probate Judge Bush & Bush, lawyers; John C.. Forney, W.iR. Houghton, Kerr & Haley, lawyers; w. T. Simmons, w. M. Dren- nen, Mayor of Birmingham; Rufus N. Rhodes, editor Birmingham News; R. C.. Redus, Charles J. Martin, Ross c. Smith, F. W. Barrett, Joseph F. Johnston, for mer Governor of Alabama; l.. c. Led better, W. H. Wilson, William s. Nor row.
 In issuing the pardon to Fannie Bryant. Governor Jelks wrote upon the applica- ton for clemency:
 Tn this case it is made to appear that Fannie Bryant was tried for complicity In a murder in Birmingham at a time when the people were intensely excited. Judge Greene, the trial judge, recom- mends that she be pardoned. This rec ommendation Is accompanied by rec ommendation to the same effect from the present Solicitor of the county; from other Judges on the bench inthat county who were familiar with the-strial; from the assistant attorney who assisted So- slicitoF Hawkins in prosecnting; from many officers of the various courts in Birmingham who knew more or. less of the circumstances, attending the trial, and from prominent citizens in that city.
 ',i'he Pardoning Board recommends ex- ecutive elemency.
 q believe she is proper subject for executive clemency. since it appears that there Is grave doubt of her knowledge be- fore the fact. at least of the crime for which she was convicted.
 Let pardon issue"
 Mrs. Trapp was notified of the pardon, and 1t Is said that the Bryant woman will be released from Speigner's today and that she will be employed by Mrs. Trapp as a domestic.