The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Is Convicted Of w. Of
Miss Belle Bts 9TH
JOHN COLL|Egs , ! N ON TRIAL
Damaging Evidence Is Brought Out
Against Man Charged With the
Same Crlme--All Quiet at
Camp Mckleroy.
BY JOHN T. EVANS.


Camp Mckleroy, Decatur, May 8.
-(Special.)-Tonieht has proven to
be one of the most strenuous nights
at Camp Mck!eroy.
Three privates in a Decatur COM
pany en- route to their homes in New
Decatur, wearing uniforms, were ar
rested at the camp for attempting to
run the lines. They will be tried, Cap
tain Gregory says, tomorrow morning
before summary courtmartial Every
member of Captain Gregory's COM
pany was in camp tonight.
sentinels fired with ball cartridges
on two men in buggy who attempted
to cross the eeard lines tonight. Three
shots were fired. and for while there
was considerable 'excitment.
Five young men residing in New De-
catur were arrested by the soldiers
and locked up in the court house by
Ger of the guard. They are charged
with leering the soldiers and oafina
around the court ouss. About mid
night Captain Gregory released them
with warning.
E. w. Godby and s. A. Lynn, who
is state senator from Morgan county,
both local attorneys, were fined $40
each by Judge speake today for con-
tempt of court II is said they were
appointed by the court to defend John
Collier and did not report.
Decatur, May S.-(SpeciaL)-After a good
nights rest and a hearty breakfast the
| members of the Jury who tried Harvey
Smith, the negro, for the murder of Miss
Belle Bloodworth here last January, were
ready t. tell the citizens of Morgan coun-
ty, that the negro was guilty of murder
and that his punishment should be death.
The Jury, after having the case in
hand all of last night, returned their ver-
dict of guilty this morning to Judge d.
w. Sreake, presiding judge. The court
then announced that until the trial of
John Collier, now on, comes to an end,
tha date for the execution will not be
set. The verdict was returned at $3.50
o'clock when court convened and it evil
IDENTIFY met with the approval of the citi-
zens of the two Decaturs
Last night there was some talk of the
case possibly resulting in mistrial, but
these suggestions were evidently without
foundation.
Collier Now on Trial.
John Collier the other negro, is now
on trial charged with the same crime. 1t
will be recalled that the Morgan county
grand jury recently indicted both of these
negroes for the murder of Miss Blood
worth, who was the daughter of a New
Decatur merchant. Judge Speake this
morning appointed w. w. Callahan and
Charles L. Peck local attorneys, to rep
resent the negro, and they are making
hard fight to save his life. The forenoon
was taken up in organizing the jury,
which follows G. c. Fort, C. T. Dens-
more, T. M. Griffin, C. II. Adams, Tom
Johnston, r. G. Owen, ]. W. Kennedy,
| Charles Topscott r. Thompson, w. p.
Moore, Rufus Sommerford and Frank
Johnston.
Although the court room contained
many spectators today, the crowds at
tending the trials of the negroes has d.
minshed daily.
C. j. Currey of New Decatur. was the
first witness for the state. lie testified
relative to finding the body of Miss Blood
worth on the night of the killing. He
was with the father of the young wo-
man at the time.
Death Caused BY Blow.
DR.. b. W. Watson told of examining
the body of the young woman. He swore
that her death was caused by blow on
the forehead made evidently by blunt
instrument of some kind. Her skull was
fractured The physician stated that the
young woman had Eeen criminally as
saulted.
Doc Gilbert. a negro, testified. that he
left the oil mills on the night of the kill
ing with Collier about s o'clock. He said
they separated at the postoffice but that
he met him next morning Collier asked
him did he want to go down and see
the girl that was killed and he replied
no Collier told the witness that he
wanted to see her.
Matte Clark, little negro girl told
of seeing Miss Bloodworth on the night
of the killing in Wilkersons store. She
said she heard Miss Bloodworth tell her
mother over the phone that she was
coming home Immediately, and said that
Smith and Collier followed behind the
young lady.
T. d. Wilkerson, a merchant told OF
Miss Bloodworth being in his store
shortly berore she was killed.
Callie Reed, a negro woman. said that
she saw Collier next day following the
killing He told the witness that he had
been to see the lady who was killed on