Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1905-05-12
ROUNDING UP
INDICTMENTS
DEPUTY MARSHALS SERVE 800
NOTICES.
BITTER FEELING AROUSED
Some Of the Most Prominent Citizens
Of Franklin County Indicted. Some
Have Skipped. Serious Trouble is
Feared as a Result.

jackson, Miss.-A posse Of deputies
from the United States marshal's Of
fee in Franklin county have up the
300 alleged whitecappers indicted by
the federal jury on the charge of con-
spring to intimidate government
homesteaders.
Except in few instances where par
ties were regarded as dangerous, or
suspected of intention to skip the
country, they were not kept under
surveillance.
The list contains fully 800 names,
among them being some Of the most
prominent citizens Of the county. A
majority of the number, in fact, are
substantial farmers.
The indictment Of DR.. A. NJ. New
man, sheriff and tax collector Of Frank
lin county, did not create any surprise,
even to DIR. Newman himself, but the
sheriff expresses confidence that he
will come out with flying colors, and
still insists that it is only a perse-
cution scheme Of his political enemies.
Another prominent official whose
name is on the list Of indictments is
DR.. Decatur P. Butler, member of the
lower house of the legislature, former
county treasurer, and one of the lit
igants in the celebrated Butler-Proby
defaleation case, now pending before
the Supreme Court, and which in
wolves a shortage of about $4,000 in
the county funds.
Another legislator under indictment
for whitecapping is Thomas H. Mont
gomery, 1otorial representative from
Franklin and Lincoln counties, against
whom a true bill was returned at the
last Circuit Court session in Lincoln
county.
The prosecution of the 800 alleged
whitecappers together with the origi-
nal 16, who were indicted at the former
term Of Federal Court in this city
will insist on the trials being held at
this term Of court. The defendants
on the other hand, will make an effort
to secure continuances until the next
term.
District Attorney Lee will be as
sisted in the prosecution by some of
the ablest legal talent in the state
Associated with the government pros
ecutor is the Hon. R. N. Miller, of
Hazlehurst, criminal lawyer of wide
celebrity, and the Hon. T. H. Brady,
Jr., Of the Brookhaven bar, whose
vigorous prosecution Of the Lincoln
whitecappers last November caused
fifteen Of the parties indicted to be
sent to the penitentiary. The Hon
L. A. Whittington,of Meadville, will
also aid the government.
1t is likely that few of the par
ties indicted, however, will never be
brought to trial unless officers are
sent to other states after them. Dur
ing the past ten days at least six
Franklin county citizens whose names
are on the true bills have departed for
California, while several others are
in Louisiana, Arkansas and other
neighboring states.
These parties became alarmed at
the rumors that the Federal Court was
about to take cognizance of the white
capper disturbance. They had not
been alarmed over the efforts of the
prosecution In the State Courts, but
the name of Uncle Sam inspired fear
and also acted as an incentive to
speedy departure.
The Hon. Fl. G. Butler, secretary
of the Franklin county law and order
league held conference with Judge
M. H. Wilkinson, of the sixth circuit
court district.
The object of the conference was to
secure postponement of the regular
term of the Franklin County Circuit
Court and 1t is practically assured
that Judge wilkinson will issue an
order pretermitting the term. This
step is seemingly necessary because
Of the fact that fully 400 Franklin
county citizens who are directly and
indirectly involved in the indictments
must be in Jackson at the time either
to answer indictments or to appear
as witnesses against the parties IN.
der indictment.
Beyond a doubt, large amount Of
bitter feeling has been aroused in
Franklin county on account of the
indictments and 1t is gravely feared
hat serious trouble may ensue. This
$ one of the reasons why the law and
'rder league desires a postponement
N tho Ciro,;k NoI