The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1904-09-01
OF INQUIRY
Ordered by Gov Terrell Re-
garding Action of Troops.
JUDGES ARE SELECTED
Sisid Investigation Of Whole Matter
VIII Be Had and Blame Placed
Personnel OF tho
Court.

A court Of inquiry to investigate the
part played by the military in the :e-
cent Statesboro episode was appoint
ed by Governor. Terrell, Of Georgia,
Tuesday.
This action was taken a few hours
after the governors arrival from st.
Louis, but after he had discussed the
matter at lei = n with Adjutant Gener-
al Harris and had read the various re-
ports and afRdavits fled since the
burning Of Reed and Cato.
The court of inquiry was called to
meet in Savannah Thursday, August
25, and to be composed of the follow
ing militia officers, their first named
being the president OF the court:
Colonel A. r. Lawton, of Savannah,
retired; Colonel w. E. Wooten, Of AL
bany; Lieutenant Colonel w. w. Bar
ker, Of Atlanta Major r. l.. wyly. of
Thomasville; Captain Warren Grice,
OF Hawkinsville.
No charges will be fled with the
| court Of inquiry and no particular indi-
viduals will be cited to appear, tho in
vsstigation including every nilitaman,
either officer or private. detailed for
duty at Statesboro. In addition to the
oral testimony of witnesses, the court
OF inquiry will have before it for con.
sideration the reports and affidavits
filed with Adjutant Gsneral Harris and
submitted by him to the governor
| Cfntn
uppermost in the mind of Governor
Terrell when he arrived in Atlanta
Tuesday. He was more or less famil-
lar with the situation from newspaper
reports, official and private kilograms
and letters, and bad been considering
the matter since its occurrence. So
the first thing he did on arriving at
his office was to arrange for a confer.
snce between himself and Adjutant
General Harris, which resulted in the
call for an inquiry.
In announcing the appointment of
officers for court of inquiry. Cover.
nor Terrell discusses the lawlessness
on that occasion at length
The crime against the negroes who
were burned at the stake. declares the
governor. was Of small importance
compared with the great crime against
the state.
He does not censure either the civil
or tn emilitary authorities in the alb.
sence or a full investigation, but de.
clares they were both there to pre-.
serve the peace and protect the males.
ty OF the law at all hazards and failed.
The governor says:
Il was greatly surprised and shock.
ed over the Statesbcro occurrence. |
mad been advised OF the necessity of
sending to Statesboro during the trial
or the murderers Of the Hodges family
military guard for the preservation
or peace and order. which / did Be.
FORE my departure for st. Louis I was
informed that the trial was proceeding
orderly. and that nowhere was there
any evidence whatever OF an intention
on the part of those present to inter.
fere with the regular administration
or justice. was therefore not prepar.
ed TO believe as true the news, which
| received en- route. of the action of
the mob so horribly revolving and
siskening in it's details. have been
greatly mortified over the crime of
this mob. take comfort in the fact
that 1t did not represent the sentiment
or this state. for Its action is con.
demned by large majoriy of the peo.
PIE or the State, and as for that mat.
Ter. OF Statesboro and Eulloch county.
he scene of the crlwe. No defense
can. and no apology should be. male
Tor this acticn OF the mob. It should
De denounced bv law-abiding citizens
everywhere"