The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-07-23

"state of Alabama vs. defendants" Wit ness was asked to see the docket before Couse took it before the Federal grand fury He swore that he received repeated telephone messages from the notary ask ing him to come to Rollins and see him in reference to the docket. He never ad- vised Couse to swear that the new docket was the original one nor did he advise Couse to destroy the old docket. In fact the witness had repeatedly coun- selled the notary to swear to nothing but the truth. The witness was never told by Franklin to see Couse and fix up the docket.
 The Pat Hill Entry. On cross examination by the government Riddle swore that when he saw Couse in reference to the docket, the entry on the docket appeared the state of Ala bama vs. Pat Hill. He did not recall other cases on the book. He testified that the notary had asked him what to do in reference to an inconsistency on the en- try in reference to the costs. and he ad- vised Couse to swear to the truth in this instance.
 At the afternoon session, Riddle was re- called. He swore that he did not know that Couse was not an ex officio justice of the peace, and didn't know 1t at the time of the taking of the testimony. F. M. Pruct was called by the defence
 Pruet testified that he had known Franklin ever since childhood. With ass went with defendant to the farm of J. W. Pace in the spring of 1902. They car red with them five negroes, bringing them from Rollins. and reaching Faces $ farm about Il o'clock at night The ne- groes were tried by Couse at Rollins for obtaining money under false pretenses for loa1 The fined $5 and costs. The witness did not know what the cost account amounted to and the negroes were never informed of his knowledge of the amount. One or two of the negroes, he did not know, which ones they wers-told nim and Franklin that they had worked on Faces farm be- fore and if they were fined they wanted to work it out on Faces place. Here the District Attorney evinced surprise and re- peatedly quizsed the witness in regard to this statement, but only received affir- nations of the former testimony.
 Carried Negroes to ace.
 The negroes were taken to Dadevilie by train They were not guarded nor hand cuffed. The witness ans Franklin were in the smoker while the negroes were in the colored coach.
 On reaching the Pace farm they awak-
  He told them that if the negroes were willing he would pay their fines. The witness swore that Pace told the negroes that they would have to do farm work, and would be fed and clothed well. He did not remember Mr. Faces telling them that they would be worked under guard. Pace afterwards made a contract with the negroes.
 The negroes, he testified, were arrested in Goodwater on a telegram snt him by Couse. Goodwater is in Tallapoosa County and Hollins in Clay County, but the wit ness swore that he had no warrant nor removal papers. He did not know that this was required. No commitment pa. pers were given. He had an indistinct recollection of signing a paper to the effect that he had executed the arrest oi the negroes, but couldn't swear that ht did. Witness is a constable at Goodwater Franklin brought the negroes to Good. water with him and paid their fine. He received for his services about S5, which Franklin paid him. Franklin, he testi-