The Washington times., 1904-08-28

~ y ONE night OF the past month
neighbors OF Henry Hodges. a
~ wealthy resident OF Bunoch
county, Georgia, were startled
BY the sight OF columns Of flame and
smoke rising from his house and out
buildings. The Hodges home was stu
ated nearly mile from the nearest help
in case OF need. No time was lost by the
nearby farmers in saddIing horses and
salloping swiftly 20 the assistance Of
the man who was the friend OF every
reputable citizen OF that section
Arriving on the place the buildings
were found wrapped In flames and be-
yond hope Of saving. Search was then
instituted for the mezdJers Of the Hodges
family. It was know that the family
had been at home during the day. and
Hodges had been seen driving toward
his farm late in the afternoon. In view
Of these facts II became the occasion OK
alarm when diligent search about the
place failed to disclose a single member
OF the household. and no response was
made 20 the shouts and calls IL the par
~ OF rescue.
Found Pools of Blood.
when the heat from the burning build
ings had partly died down a nearer an
preach was made 70 tho burned house
To the horror of the searchers large
pools OF blood were found on the ground
near the door. and an Ak covered with
blood and matted hair lay near by. The
evidences OF crime were too apparent to
De mistaken, and with the return OF the
day the entire community was aroused.
At early dawn word was sent 10 the
town OF StatesborO and crowds Of men
hurried 10 the scene OF the suspected
murders. 4 long series of lesser crimes
and petty annoyances had wearied and
tried the patience OF the county OF Bull
ioch. and when the full discovery was
made that Henry Hodges, hts wife and
three little children had been br,,tsII,,
murdered and their bodies burned IN
their home. the entire community was
reused TO frenzy.
The shocking brutality of the crime
Ieo 10 the conclusion that its perpetra-
Tors were negroes. The manner OF fits
eoinE was clumsy and the little pains
taken 10 hide the evidences soon opened
the way 70 discovery. Paul Reid and
VIII Cato, both depravsd specimens OF
their race. were arrested on suspicion
and chafged with the crime. Their CON
melting and damaging stories and the
confession OF the wife OF Cato estab-
hshsd their guilt. Before the mob could
perfect organization Sheriff Kendrick
hurried his prisoners TO Chatham county
jail at Savannah for safe keeping.
Search for q Motive.
At nrst men were at a loss TO find
motive for the crime Henry Hodges
had been universally kind In his treat
ment OF the negroes and no act OF his
could be recalled that would explain the
barbarous ferocity Of his murder and
the humiliation OF his entire family
even % an infant Of few months. The
confessions Of the negroes were, there
fore. awaited with impatience.
Then came the story that sent a sbud-
der through the black belt Of the entire
South Reid declared there had been
organized a secret society of negroes
known as the Before Day Club" the
object Of which was 20 rob white PEG
ple Of the wealth they so much coveted
70 murder the especial objects of the
negroes hatred among the white set
tiers, and 70 cover up the traces of their
work By destroying the homes IN which
the murders were effected, ut the same
time killing every witness OF the crimes.
no matter how young. Among the
other details Of their frightfm scheme
u was limited that outrages would be
committed against the womanhood of
the country.
Tho name OF the club was significant
Of the time selected for their crimes 1t
was thought that at the dead hour OF
night the chance OF a dangerous resist
ance wac very much lessened. More
over the idss OF operating I'm the hour
sust before the dawn occurred TO them