Americus times-recorder., 1904-03-24
TRIAL FOR CRIME:
TO COME IN APRIL.
Lively Session at Preston
Promised.
BLACK RAPlsT AND WHITE MEN
viii Face a Jury in Trial For Serious
Crimes That Military May
Guard Prisoners When The Bunch
Goes From Here to Preston.

The Americus Jail still holds three
Webster county prisoners, Tobe Thorn
tor, the negro brute who ravished
lady near Preston, and the two white
men, Henry Morgan and Sid Harrell,
charged with the crime of burning the
town of Preston and who narrowly es-
capped lynching, it is said, at the hands
Of outraged citizens two weeks ago.
The wife men, it is believed, were
only saved by the prompt action of
Judge T., A. Littlejohn, who assembled
the military company here and in per-
son went to Preston by special train
for them.
The men have since been confined
safely IN the AmeIicus Jail.
The wholesale burning Of the little
town and the confession of one of the
men, Morgan. relative to the incendi-
arism, is we'll remembered, as IS also
the wild ride at the rate of a mile a
minute which Judge Littlejohn and
the Light Infantry took to effect their
rescue.
The men have talked but little since
brought to Americus.
What other evidence, if any, collect
ed since and connecting them with the
crime will be brought our at the trial
of this celebrated case when it is called
in Webster court ten days hence,
It has been suggested that possibly
change of venue might be asked and
the prisoners tried in another county,
but nothing to this end has yet been
done. The good citizens of Webster
are law abiding, and there is no doubt
but that a fair and impartial Jury
could easily be secured there for the
trial of Morgan and Harrell.
However, this is a question for the
court to pass upon later, Judge Little
john can be depended upon to do what
is just In the premises.
The trial of the black rapist, Thorn
ton, will also be of interest.
And just now there IS much specula-
GAOA 0S w tA0 N6Sulb OA OnAH OaSO'
Thornton's poor victim, Miss Dismuke,
has lost her reason since the fendish
attack made upon her, and is now in
the insane asy ylum. Who, then, will
testify against the negro, as she was
the only witness, if such she may be
called, to the brutal assault.
Could Thornton possibly escape JUS
tice under the circumstances ?
The case is peculiar one, and since
Miss Dismuke was committed to the
asylum the pending trial of the black
considerable interest,
Miss Dismnke, it is said, positively
identified Thornt ton at tue time of the
assault aud told the officers who com
mitted the crime. When captured here
two days later by Sheriff Bell and Chief
Feagin the negro freely confessed all
and reclted nonchalently all the har-
rowing details of his assault on the
poor woman.
Surely such evidence as this will be
duly considered.
In view of the feeling there Judge
LIttIeiohn may order military guard
to escort the three prisoners, Morgan,
Hsrrell and Thornton, back to Preston
when court convenes April 4th next,
though he expresses the hope that this
precaution will not be necessary Ger
tain is it he is very much aYerse to a
military trial"
The session of Webster court will be
one of wide spread interest in view of
the trial of these three men, Harrell,
Morgan and Thornton.