The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-31

Statesboro, Ga, Aug. 30.-The Court
of Inquiry looking into the Battle of
Statesboro," convened here this morn
ing at 1O:3O o'clock. Capt. Grice ar
rived yesterday and was busily en-
gagged until the hour of opening get
ting witnesses and all arrangements
made for the sitting of the court.
The members of the Statesboro com
pany who were summoned, appeared in
uniform as well as Lieuts. Cone and
Griner, Sergt. George Grower and pri-
Yates Wesley Cone, Clote De Loach
and Joe Fletcher constituted the corps
of orderlies.
Coils. Wooten and Brooks and Maj.
Barker all arrived on the Savannah
and Statesboro train and Immediately
repaired to the Jaeckel House and put
on their uniforms. after which they
examined the grounds around the
Court House, stairways and streets
leading to the jail
Judge A. r. Daley. who conducted the
trial of Reed and Cato, was the first
witness called. Capt. Grice asked him
to relate the circumstances of the trial,
which he did In a clear and dignified
manner. He told of his order for the
special term of court. He had ordered
Sheriff Kendrick to report to Capt.
Hitch in Savannah Monday morning
and that Hitch, with fifty men, would
accompany him and the prisoners to
statesboro Monday morning. He went
to Savannah Saturday, but did not
learn until Sunday morning that the
sheriff had taken the prisoners away
on Thursday before. He tried to COM
municate with Statesboro by wire but
could not.
Lieut.. Cone Reported for Duty.
Upon arriving here Sunday night
Lieut.. Cone asked him IL he was need
ed. and he told him to go on duty with
his company and report to Sheriff Ken
drick. Core did so, but came back
and said the sheriff told him he was
not needed. He told Cone to go on duty
anyway.
On Monday there was a large crowd
In town and after a conference with
some gentlemen he appointed Messrs.
G.. S. Johnston, II. B. Strange and ID.
l.. Grower. a committee to call other
troops II they thought 1t advisable II
was decided to ask for Hitch to come
up with his men. Upon the arrival OF
Hitch the judge put him in entire con-
troll of the situation as to protecting
the prisoners and keeping order.
The trial OF Cato was concluded about
dark. but he was not sentenced. lie
could see no effort at violence on the
part OF the people, and though he could
not tell how many people there were
here on Monday. the crowd dispersed
pretty well at night. and on Thursday
there WAS not more than half as many
people I'm town. The whole crowd
could have been seated in the Couf'
House, and the people did not appear
as anxious for trouble as the day be-
fore.
Reed was tried that day and Hitch
suggested that the order for the mer
TO be returned to Savannah be not
read, which suggestion was toiloWeu
He passed sentence orally.
Things Then Apparently Quiet.
Everything was at that time appar-
emily quiet. The grand jury ther
came IN and he was making a few
remarks when a commotion was heard
downstairs. He suggested to the sher-
IN that he go down and arrest ths
leaders. and he went. but he never
heard anything more OF that order
Hitch suggested that he go address.
the crowd. which he did. but ooult
get their attention for hut a few min.
utes at a time. Rev. Hodges did IN
same thing. The halls Of the Cour
House were packed al that time.
He returned 10 the court room and