The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-23
WERE ARRESTEDON
 PEONAGE CHARGE Three Men Tried and Held by
 U. s. Commissioner CLAIM KIDNAPPED NEGRO Affidavit Was That Charlie Hutson Was Caught In a Public Highway
 and Placed in lnvolun-
 tary servitude.
CLAIM KIDNAPPED NEGRO

Marcelus Lockhart, Aaron Dill, and Ar chic Dill were arrested near Guin in Ma rion county yesterday by United States Deputy Marshal Ashley on the charge Of peonage and when brought Lefore Con- missioner A. C. Birch were placed in the county jail on default of 5000 bond.
 The cases are set for hearing on Friday morning at o'clock.
 The cases were worked up by Secret Service Agent J. M. Wright, and it is said that the testimony will be the most sensational heard in the court for many a day. Peonage in Alabama has gained national notoriety during the past few months, and the announcement that ex- amples of it have been brought to light in Marion county will command unusual attention.
 Sensational Features.
 The name of the negro who it is alleged was held in involuntary servitude without due sentence or conviction for crime is Charley Hutson. According to the affi- davit he was unlawfully arrested, kid mapped seized or carriedeaway from the highway on the 27th of last August, and was forced to perform labor without pay.
 Secret Service Agent Wright made a deposition before Commissioner Birch, who was only recently appointed by Judge Jones, in which he charged that on the 27th day of August, 1903, Aaron Dill, Archie Dill and Marcellus Lockhart, in Marion county, did arrest, return or caused to be held, arrested or returned, or aided in the arrest or return of one Char ley Hutson, to condition of peonage or involuntary servitude, contrary to the form of the statute in such cases made and provided against the peace and digni- ty of the United States.
 There are two specific charges against each of the defendants, of which the pc- onage Is one. The other Is conspiracy to deprive a citizen of certain rights granted him by the constitution of the United States.
 Conspiracy Charge.
 In the conspiracy charge Secret SeTv- ice Agent Wright also made ,.ffidavit that on the 27th day of August, 1903 the de- fendants did conspire to lnjur, oppress. threaten and intimidate one Charley Hut son, who is a citizen If tine United States, in the free exercise and enjoyment of d right or privilege .eeured to him by the constitution or laws Of the United States, to-Wlt, the right or nDerSy ard eXempntn from imprisonment, involuntary servtude or bondage except Tn Dunlsnment for crime and without any crime on his part or by him committed, or conviction or sentence therefor legally had against the said Charley Hutson; and that said de- fendants in furtherance and execution of the said conspiracy informed and for the purposes aforesaid, and to effect the ob- ject thereof, the defendants at the time and place aforesaid forcibly and unaw fully arrested, kidnapped, seized or car ried away the said Charley Hutson to render service and labor to the defend ants, or one or more of them, without compensation to the said Charley Hutson, and did hold the said Charley Hutson in involuntary servitude, contrary to the form of the statutee in such case made and provided and Against the peace and dignity of the United States.
 The affidavits were approved by As sistant United States District Attorney N. l.. Steele.
 A large number of witnessed will be subpoenaed In the case and it promises to attract attention throughout the whole state.