Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-04-27

Superior Court of Criminal depart
ment. No. /, hence . state prisoner.
The offeDse for which l was tried
and convicted was that OF robbery
My sentence Is five years in the
state peniteniary.
HELD HIGH POSITIONS.
This, no doubt, will be the proper
place to give some of my antecedents,
as well as q few Of the details of the
crime for which / am sentenced 60
the penitentiary. / spent my early
youth and manhood at Baltimore city,
Msrylsnd, from which place 1 remoy-
ed TO New Mexico After residing
for sone time in Sante Fs of that
state l held the position of county
clerk OF that county for feur consecu-
tive years During that time l was
instrumental in organizing the Nation
al Bank. i was cashier az first, and,
later or, it's ORE sident had a lucra-
tive business and was doing well. NY
wife's health failed her. she beea me
consumptive. Ny family physician Ad-
vised . removal TO the sound.
INA NEW FIELD.
1 closed out my business st a great
sacrihse, and came to SPOKANE, Wash
inaton. There II0eatsd.. sud fsasas ;t
my future home. Soon After INV ar.
rival commenced the publica tion OF
q Newspaper. In the county in which
/ was located i found one of the worst
aud most corrupt political rings on the
face OF the Earth. This mbin alton
had controlled the politics OF the coup-
~ for almost quarter part of a cen-
tury. Soon l became involved in n
terrific newspaper war with the mem-
bers of this political organization. An
election OF county aud state offiaiaIs
was sooR TO take phase: In ordsr to
test the strength of the contendinP ell
ements in my newspaper, 1 presented
the name Of Hen. j. ID, Hawkins as
candidate for District Judge in oppo-
sitioR TO the ring candidate. A sharp
nght ensued. Mr.. Hawkins was elect
Cd loy an overwhelming msjori,y Y.
This was the hrst time for LWenIv
years that Ihis ring had been defeat-
ed.
WON THEIR HATRED.
The members of it were very sore.
Looking upon me as the principal
spirit was the object toward which
they directed all their shafts of snjte
was arrested ct Lake View, wash
ington and cond ucted to Tacoma and
hence to Seattle county Jail. at the
preliminary trial 1 waived examination
and consequently bound over to Sup
Court OF Criminal department.. No. l.
When my case was csllee, INV attor-
ney Introd need . motion to contIn-
ne the case, hling sfidavits NECESSARY
in such cases. The prosecutiag attor.
ney having given his consent. there
was no doubt in the minds Of those in.
terested as to the continuance of the
case.
ITaR JUDeE's REFUSAL.
For scme cause best known to him.
SELF, the judge would not grant the
continuance, and forced me to trial.
without having q siagle witness. Not
deihg allowed co have my witnesses. I
was, under instructions of the court.
which were, inde I'D, exceedingly poiI.t
ed, found guilty, and sentenced to five
years imprisonment on cIrcumstaptiaI
and prejudicsd evidence.
My father was q minister of the 9os.
pei for thirty years prior to his death.
he WAS not blessed with much of the
worlds goods. For that reason I be-
gan IN very early life to aid myself. I
spent seven years in college preparing
Tor the struggles that awaited me.
earned every dollar OF the money
which paid my expenses while secur.
ing my education. Few Afro. .Araeri-
cans can truthfully mako this state
ment or themselves.