The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-28
THE CAPTAIN SAYS,
A Regiment Could Not
Have Defeated the
Mob's Plans.
(By the Associated Press

Savannah, Ga, Aug. 26.-The first
evidence was introduced today before
the court of inquiry appointed by
Governor Terrell to investigate the
conduct of the two companies of
Georgia state troops that were on
guard at Statesboro when the mob
took away from the soldiers Paul
Reed and Will Cato, convicted of the
murder of Henry Hodges and his
family of four, and burned the negroes
at the stake.
Lieutenant Colonel w. L. Grayson
was the first witness. He exhibited the
correspondence with the governor, di-
recting him to dispatch a company
from Savannah, under Captain Robert
NJ. Hitch, to Statesboro, to join the
Statesboro guards in the protection of
the prisoners Colonel Grayson con-
sidered that Captain Hitch had the
Judgment and bravery that would en-
able him to cope with the delicate sit
uation.
Captain Hitch then took the stand,
giving evidence for several hours. He
maintained that the plans of the mob
had been so carefully laid that not
even regiment of soldiers could have
successfully resisted them. These
plans even contemplated the destruc
ton of the railroad leading to States
boro in order to prevent the arrival
of reinforcements. should they have
been ordered to the scene.
Hitch Explains His Failure.
His own experience as a military
man, reaching over fourteen years and
acquired i'm all grades up to that of
captain, was recited by Captain Hitch,
Who told of having participated in
riot duty and of having observed the
mo off q
command load carries. This COM
mand he had intended giving at the
proper time, but just before that time,
in his opinion, was reached, he was
seized by u muscular deputy sheriff,
who threy him down stairs to the mob
below, which promptly disarmed him.
1t was to this seizure that Captain
Hitch attributed his failure to make
more desperate effort in defence of
the prisoners. Captain Hitch said he
had no intimation of the purpose of
the mob to seize and lynch the ne
groeS as soon as they should be con-
victed.
Members of the court sought to
learn why Captain Hitch had not or
dered up his reserves of 40 or 80 men
from the Jail. He was asked if he did
not recognize the need for them, to
which he answered that he did, and
that he was praying for them to come.
Then why did you not send for
them?" asked a member of the court.
Because L could not think of every
thing at once" answered Captain
Hitch
According to his testimony he dis
patched Lieutenant A. A. Morris to the
telegraph Office to request that more
troops be sent from Savannah.
Negroes Pointed Out by the Sheriff.
Captain Hitch and -commisson-
ed officers and privates testified to the
collision of the sheriff and some or
his deputies with the mob. Some of
the soldiers swore that Sheriff Ken
drick had himself opened the door
Of the guard room and pointed out the
prisoners to the mob, which was hard
upOn his heels. The sheriff, moreover
told the two sergeants on duty, ac-
cording to their testimony, that he had
seen Captain Hitch and was acting
upon his instructions in turning over
the negroes to the iynchers.
Probably on Tuesday and Wednes-
day the court will adjourn to States
boro, where the evidence of members
Of the company there, and the sheriff
and deputies and all whose testimony
NAV be Of value will be taken. The
court Will continue in session here to-
morrow.