The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-03-05
THE GOVERNOR KEPT BUSY.
Another Negro Assassin Protected by
otate Troops


Meridian, Miss, Feb. 29.-Gov. Var.
daman has for the second time called
out troops to protect a negro muir
derer. an entire battalion being en-
camped about the Lauderdale coun-
ty Jail tonight.
Evens moved swiftly today and but
for the appeal of the sheriff and the
prompt action of the governor a hid
eous crime which today stirred the
people to the depths would have been
speedily avenged.
At 1870 this morning al the Ala
bama Great Southern mail train,
n%orthbound, slowed up at the Mobile
& Ohio crossing near the city limits
the mail car was entered by a ne
gro, who shot in the mouth and in
stantly killed John R. Stockton, mail
clerk Of Meridian, then shot A. J. Bass,
another mail clerk, through the
shoulders and one arm, rendering
him unconscious for a few moments.
He also shot at Mr.. Ivans, mail
weigher. who jumped from the train.
The assassin secured the registered
mail and escaped by jumping from
the train, his foot being crushed by
the car wheels as he fell.
Bass crawled to the emergency
valve and stopped the train, bring
ing the conductor and trainmen to
the scene. The train was backed to
the city and the police notified, when
Officers Horne, Price and Monette
traced by the trail of blood and torn
mail matter this curse taken by the
murderer.
About three-quarters of a mile from
the scene of the murder they found
a ginger-colored negro having his foot
entirely off, quartered with a negro
family. He was arrested and taken
to jail. but denied his guilt. A Al
Colts revolver was found on the trail
with four empty chambers.
Bass states that four shots were
fred by the assassin. Bass was car
ried before the negro in Jail and iden-
titled him as the murderer.
News of the tragedy spread rapid
ly over the city and the indignation
of the people soon rose to a danger
Gus height. The sheriff t~elephoned
Gov. Vardaman, who promptly author
lied calling out the military by a tele-
gram to Maj. Dement, as follows: Re
port with your battalion armed and
ready for action to the sheriff of Lau-
derdale county at Meridian at once
and see that the prisoner is protected
at all hazards" ~
The two Meridian infantry compan-
les were promptly brought out and the
Newton company arrived early this
afternoon. 1t 10 not believed more
force is needed. The Jail square is
picketed by armed men, no n being
allowed on the block. All the mill
tary are being kept near the Jail.
Judge G. @. Hall, of the Circuit
Court, publishes the announcement
that he will onven a special term
Of court promptly and have a speedy
trial. The law requires twenty days
notice for special term.
The accused negro gives his name
as ]. P. Paris, aged %. and claims
Selma, Ala, as his home, where his
father and sister reside. He is known
here to railroad men, having been a
on both the Southern and Ala
bama Great Southern railroads. He
claims to have been firing some
months on the Gulf and Ship Island
and that he came UP the Northeast. 3
srn from Hattiesburg last night. He
claims that a Birmingham negro
named Joe Murray committed the
crime, but his story is not plausible.
and his Identification is beyond ques-
lion. The circumstantial evidence is
yery strong also and it is believed
his conviction would be easy had he
lot been identified.
Stockton, the murdered man, was q
veil known and highly respected citi.
zen, a Christian gentleman without
'eproach. He leaves "a wife and four
Bass resides at T~russville.
Ala, and will be taken home tonight
{ able to travel.
Warren Monroe, the negro at whose
Paris was found, has been ar
'ested and jailed, as accessory to rob.
Wing the mail. All is quiet this even.
ng.