The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-22
is TERROR STRICKEN
RICHARD YOUNG DENIES KILLING
DOVER FOUNTAIN.
THE NEGRO is TERRIFIED.
CLAIMS THAT HE LEFT SAVANNAH
EASTER MONDAY.

nays Before Fountain and His
Mother Were AssauIted-Deputy
Sweeny Brought Young From Mi
ami. and Says the Prisoner Was
Frfrhtened From Moment He Was
Placed Under Arrest-Had Prepar-
ed to Resist-NegrO Claims Thnt
He Did Not Know Anything of the
Fountain Tragedy, or That He Was
wanted on Any Charge.
Covering. and starting at the slight
est sound, Richard Young charged with
the brutal murder of young Dover
Fountain on the night of March 26,
reached Savannah shortly before
o'clock yesterday afternoon in the GUS
tody of Chief Deputy Sheriff I. ].
Sweeney.
Although positively identified as the
man who struck young Fountain, and
who assaulted his mother, Mrs. Leila
Fountain, Young denies the charge.
Trembling in every limb from the mo-
rnent he was placed under arrest in
Miami he was assigned to cell in the
county Jail, the negro has in his fright
deny his guilt He has made a state
ment that will fall like chaff before the
wind upon the introduction of wit
nesses by the prosecution.
Thc Prisoners Denial.
The prisoner was seen at the Jail by
Morning News reporter shortly after
his arrival, and had not yet regained
his composure. He was in the same
terrified condition when taken in charge
by Deputy Sweeney in Florida. Young
declared that he knows absolutely
nothing about the crime for which
Stewart was convicted, and for which
he also was indicted. He goes further
than this, however. He says that he
did not even know that a crime had
been committed, until after his arrest,
and claims that he left the city on
Easter Monday-three days before the
fatal assault was committed.
Young says that he is positive he
jumped train at the -Four Mile Hill'
on the Monday before Easter Sunday.
He went to Jacksonville and then
worked his way down to Miami. He
denies that he was ever in Tampa, at
Turkey Creek, or anywhere in that vi
entity. The officers say they will not
have the slightest trouble in disprov-
ing every statement made by Young,
and declare that because of his sweep
ing denial he has no chance of escap-
ing the death penalty as did James
Stewart, who was identified as
Youngs accomplice.
Have Plenty of Proof.
The officers say they will be able
to prove without any trouble that
Young was in the vicinity of Foun-
tain's store several days before the
burglary and assault, was in the store
with Stewart on the afternoon of the
night young Fountains skull was
fractured, and did not leave for Flor
ida until the morning after the crime
was committed. and before the wound
ed boy died. In addition to this the
officers have the boys statement be-
fore his death. He declared that
James Stewart and Richard Young
were his assailants and that he knew
both nergoes we'll In addition to
this Mrs. Fountain is absolutely GER
tain that Young and Stewart were the
men, and she too knows both negroes
well.
The story of Young's Arrest.
The prisoners nervousness was dis
played a moment before his arrest in
Miami, despite the fact that he denies
that he knew a crime had been COM
mitted or that the officers were
searching two states for him. His ar
rest was made by three officers in the
streets OF Miami. The men watched
the negro closely and he became sus-
picious. They saw him slip a revolver
to a negro with whom he was talking,
and then open a large pocket knife.
Young stuck the knife up his coat
sleeve and was apparently preparing
co. R,x1t
place him in custody. The Florida
officers pretended they were going ia
pass the negro and when along side
seized him before he had an opportuni-
ty to offer any resistance. He was
quickly oVerpowered and had no chance
TO display his strength.
sheriff Wouldn't Give Him Up.
Young stated a willingness to return
to Georgia without requisition papers
but the Florida sheriff was not willing
to surrender him until the necessary
papers were in his hands Deputy
Sweeney was compelled to remain a
day in Tallahassee and his trip for
Young occupied almost a week He
made an effort while in Florida to To-
cate Cy Allen, and other members OF
the gang of which Young is said tc
have been member. He was unsuc-
cessful, although he learned that Aller
is IN Flor1da, and had been in Jack
sonville. Young denies all knowledge
OF any band of desperadoeS and insists
that he was not a member of any such
organization. He says he knows moth.
Ing about the Shrenk- Carter murder
at Whiskey Hill on the night of Feb
2S, and that he can throw no light or
any of the crimes that have been com.
united recently in Ogeechee district.
stewards Testimony Against Young
Youngs statement that he left fol
Florida on the Monday before the
crime was committed is refuted bN
Stewart, who admitted having seer
and been with Young after that time
Stewart never confessed his guilt. but
did not make a denial so sweeping rs
that made by Young This is probabl,
responsible for the fact that he escaped
with life Imprisonment. Stewart ha:
already been taken to the convict cam
at Fargo and did not see Young. The
officers have not stopped their worl
with the arrest of Young and intenC
to round up the band of alleged muir
derers and robbers who are now sale
to be scattered through Florida anC
the Ogeechee district. Young has al
ready been indicted by the grand jur,
and his case will probably be assigned
for trial at an early date.
VEGETABLES GOING NORTH.