The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-30
DEAF-MUTE GOES FREE
JUDGE JONES LENIENT WITH
 ZEKE BASS.
Son of Infrm Moonshiner Acted as Interpreter and Defendant Al lowed to Return Home.
 Other Federal Cases.

Zeke Bass. the deaf mute of Coffee County, charged with illicit distilling, pleaded guilty in the United States Dis- trict Court yesterday morning and was
 sentenced by Judge Thomas c. Jones to
 two years in the penitentiary in Atlanta, Ga. but execution of his sentence was
 suspended until next term of court on &C.,
 count of his infirmity. It will be remembered that Bass's case
 was called several days ago and that, it appearing that he could not read nor write nor understand sign language, the case was continued until an interpreter could be secured. some one familiar with Bass.
 When Bass appeared in court yesterday l morning he was accompanied by his son Ed Bass, about 15 years old, who Is a normal and who acted as go between the court and his father.
 Bass 1t is said has been indicted several times for illicit distilling and when his son announced that he pleaded guilty, Judge Jones lectured the defendant sharply and the son, talking with his
 lips, but inaudibly. communicated the lecture to lis father.
 The deaf mHte stood with bowed head
 and Judge Jones told the boy to tell
 his father that he would sentence him
 to pay fine of s100. a penalty of S50o and two years in the Atlanta penitentiary.
 But, Judge Jones added, the execution of the sentence would be suspended and If Bass was again captured on this charge
 by government officers he would have to serve out his sentence without a further trial.
 Tell him." said Judge Jones, ''to go home and hereafter be an honest citizen. If he violates the law again I'll send for him."
 The boy communicated these statements to his father and the face of the deaf mute beamed as he signalled his answer. He says you are good man." young Bass reported to Judge Jones, and that he will never make whiskey again. Bass, who Is a farmer, lives about three miles from Enterprise. It is said that he has given government ofiici ,ls con- siderable trouble by illicit distilling and that when he was last arrested he pointed pistol at the Deputy Marshal. Before leaving the federal building young Bass went to the office of the Dis l trict Attorney and said his father had communicated to him his desire that
 Judge Jones should know that hereafter | he would devote his time to planting cot | ton.
 The case against John w. Powell of Tallapoosa County was continued until l next term of court. Powell was formerly
 postmast ar at Goldville. He is charged | with raising cancellation of stamps. | Other cases were disposed of as follows; | J. w Ragan of Coffee County illicit
 distilling (two casas) plea of guilty Sen l fenced to two years in the penitentiary. penalty of $500 and fined $100 in each case
 Execution of sentence suspended until
 next term of court on payment of $25 on 1 account.
 | George Bailey of Chiffon County. per
 jury, mol pressed on two counts of in- | dictment and demurrer to indictment | sustained.
 James Ha vkins of Chiffon County. per
 jury, demurrer to indictment sustained.
 Thomas Hawkins of Coosa County, per
 jury, dismissed.
 Jack Farris (two cases) and Bud Paris l both of Coffee County. illicit distilling
 jury and verdict of guilty in each case 1 Each sentenced to two years in Atlants
 penitentiary $500 penalty and $1oO fine | On payment of $25 on account in each cas'
 execution of sentence was suspended unti | next term of court.