The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-30
THE COURT OF INQUIRY
INVESTIGATES CONDUCT OF SOL
DIERS AT STATESBORO.
Third Session OF the Court-A News
paper Reporter and Three Priyates
.Examincd-Next Session In States
boro on Tuesday.

Savannah. Ga. Aug. 2T.-The militia
ry court Of inquiry appointed by the
governor to investigate the oonduc. OF
the state troops in connection with
the recent burning Of negro prisoners
at the stake at Statesboro held its
third session today.
The features of the hearing was the
testimony of G. N. Query. reporter.
who went to Statesboro and reported
the tragedy. He testified that he
mob dragged the prisoners along the
road to the stake within thirty yards
of the military camp. There were fifty
men of the militia drawn UP in line.
There was-no movement by any Off
Ger or soldier so far as he saw, when
the crowd passed. to rescue the priso-
ners. He did not know what officer
The mob in charge Of the prisoner
amounted to about two hunded. They
were in shirt sleeves and ony a few
were armed. The rest of the crowd.
about two hundred more, We're spec
tators and stragglers. Neither priso-
ner was carried in a vehicle to the
place of lynching. He said Private
Falligan told him that some one had
reported the mob's intent to lynch the
men. and he said he reported the fact
to the camp officers, and was laugh
ed at.
Private r. L. Miller. of the militia.
stated that he was among the men on
duty at the rear stairway. Halt a
dozen men took his gun away. Pri-
vate Mcguire saw him and came to
his assistance. A very large man thai
he recognized as a bailiff of the court
house rushed up to Mcclure and nelp-
ed to take his gun away. He was IN
the court room when the mob came in
to the room. He saw, he said. the
sheriff as he opened the door Of the
prisoners room. He was there when
the men tried to get the steps and was
at the foot of the steps disarmed. He
had orders from Captain Hitch ON the
train, he said, not to fire until he gave
orders and then fire according to Spe-
cific orders.
Private Pussell testified that he was
sent in the room to guard the priso-
ners. The mob was two feet behind
the sheriff and the sheriff ordered him
to stand aside. The sheriff said:
"Stand aside men,, and let the mob
take the prisoners; We cannot resist
the mob any longer
Private Falligan said he was off iu-
ty on account f a osore arm. He was
d
would get the men when convicted.
He reported the matter to Sergeant
Easeman and he said: 1--WE have herd
that a dozen times" He thought that
trouble was brewing. Soldiers guns he
said were being taken across the
street during the morning and he
counted seven or eight and got dis
gusted> and quiet reporting it because
no one would accept his informationl
'T,. yelled to the sentinel on post that
the mob was passing. A lady shout
ed that the mob was coming with some
of our men but it was teh negro. There
were 25 or 80 men in uniform in line,
saw a commissioned officer and call
ed to him. The mob was then not over
block away and coming toward Us.
Six eight men broke away and start
ed to come to me, but were ordered
back"
The court will reassemble in States
boro Tuesday morning at 10 O'Clock.