The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-01
Jim Paris in Jail Accused of
 Killing Postal Clerk DENIES THAT HE IS GUILTY
Governor Vardaman of Mississippi Has Three Companies of Militia to Guard Jail to Prevent
 Lynchina.

 jail at Meridian on a charge of murder as the result of the killing of Postal Clerk John R. Stockton and the wounding of Postal Clerk A. J. Bass on the northbound Alabam Great Southern passenger train yesterday morning at 1:SO o'clock just mile north of Meridian.
 l The negro boarded the train at Meri- dian, and few minutes after it pulled out, he crawled into the mail car, shot and killed one postal clerk. wounded an- other and attempted to kill a mail weigher who was also in the car. After he had rifled a registered mail bag he jumped from the train as it was slowing up and his foot was mashed so badly that 1t had to be amputated last night. He was found yesterday morning in the hut of Warren Monroe, a negro, and the United States authorities have ar rested Warren and his wife as accom- plices. The funeral of MT. Stockton will take place today
 special term of the circuit court will be convened March 21 to try the negro. He has been positively identified by Pos
 
 ed, and was brought to Birmingham last night on the Alabam Great Southern train.
 Militia Ordered Out. Fear of a lynching, on which the criti- zens of Meridian seemed bent. caused the militia to be ordered out by Governor Vardaman, and three companies are camped around the jail with several days supplies ready to stop any efforts to pre- vent the law dealing with the negro. The latest advices from Meridian in regard to the situation are contained in the fol- lowing telegram received last night from The Age-Herald's correspondent there: Meridian. Miss. February 29.-(Spe- cial.)-Governor Vardaman's prompt ac- ton in authorizing the assembling of militia here to protect the negro, Jim P. Paris from danger of mob law has had a salutary effect and tonight the city is quiet and very few people are on the streets. Three companies of militia with total of 150 men are gathered at the court house and no persons are allowed to congregate on the streets at any | point near the building.
 "A rumor was circulated tonight that a mob had assembled among the railroad men, but 1t proved groundless. The 1 prisoner had his crushed foot amputated late this afternoon and is resting quietly. He still holds to the story of his inno- cence although his Identification by Postal Clerk Bass was positive, and the chain of circumstantial evidence against him is unbroken. Company H of New ton, joined the guards at the court house l this afternoon, and a consignment of l fifty rifles and other equipment arrived from Jackson tonight.
 Judge c. O. Hall has teegraphed from Louisville that he will convene the circuit court March 21 for the speedy trial of the accused negro, which has had the effect of greatly quietng the public mind.
 United States Postoffice Inspector M M. Warren and United States Deputy Marchal E. s. Wilson of Jackson are here looking after the robbery side of the case and have arrested Warren Mum roe and his wife, the negroes who shell tered Paris after the murder, on the charge of complicity in the robbery. Twenty registered letters were stolen and the money found on the person of Paris was of such small amount that the officials believed that these other persons have received a portion of it. The funeral of MT. J. T. Stockton will take place tomorrow
 Paris Statement.
 Jim Paris has made statement in which he says that Joe Murray, negro, he says Is from Birmingham. committed the crime His statement as made yes terday morning, is as follows:
 q don't know that have anything to say" he said, although 4 realize that they are going to get me. I suppose they will kill me soon. don't suppose that It would be wrong to say what l know of the matter.
 My name is J. P. Paris and my home is in Selma I came into Hattiesburg last night over the Gulf and Ship Island and there caught the New Orleans and Northeastern passenger into Meridian. have been firing for the past several weeks on the G. & s. I. and have formerly railroads
 When l arrived Tn Merldian last hshl met Joe Murray. a negro living in Br- mingham. I knew Murray only slightly, but he asked me whether or not wanted company into Birmingham. replied that didn't care if he did come along. Prior to our leaving Meridian. however. Mur- ray stated to me that he wanted to rob the mail car that night. I paid no par ticular attention to the negro and thought he was lying, so telling him. I knew I didn't have the nerve to do such thing and didn't think he did.
 On Leaving Meridian.
 s'As we left Meridian took my seat upon the tank of the engine and remained there. Where Murray was I can't state. The first xnewof any trouble heard some shooting in the mail car and being | frightened jumped from my position to the ground and then I suppose 1t was that my foot was cut of.
 '.I had not seen Murray during all of the time the trouble was going on, but af- ter the train had passed some distance he came back to me with his pistol in hand and asked was hurt. replied that l