The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1905-01-28
THE CASE OF JAMES WILLIAMS
A Young Man to Whom the State Par
doning Board Might Well Extend
Its Benefcence


Its Beneficence
The Atlanta Journal of last Friday
contains the following, which recalls a
tragedy committed here two years or
more ago:
Prison Commissioner Thomas Eason
has just returned from Florida, where
he spent several days recently in an
effort to secure pardon for James Will
liams, Georgian, who is serving a life
sentence in the Florida penitentiary for
murder.
Williams is a Reidville. Ga. boy, and
was raised in Tattnal county. He
comes from one Of the most prominent
families in that section of the state.
He attended school in Gordon Institute
at GAINESVILLE for several years, and
was a very popular student.
Shortly after leaving Gordon msti-
tute he was sent to the insane asylum
at Milledgeville for treatment. When
a youngster he had a severe fall from
the top of building, which resulted in
an injury to his brain, and it is thought
that he became insane from that fall.
After remaining in the asylum for
a year he was given furlough by DR..
Powell. it being the opinion of the ply
'sicians that he was temporarily cured.
While on this furlough he took a trip
killed a man he had never seen before.
He was arrested and after a long
trial was sentenced TO the penitentiary
for life. the plea of insanity being made
at that time. He has been in the peni
tertiary now for several years. and
some time ago Governor Terrell. at the
request of Hon. Tom Williams, of
Reidsville, father of the boy. wrote a
letter to Governor Jennings of Florida.
reciting the facts in the case and urg-
ing his pardon so that he could be put
back in the Georgia asylum. Hon.
4 lipiicio l-'iSOil " SlS ill'lOS GU W 81
fore the Florida pardoning board and
urge the pardon. This Mr.. Eason did.
but the board declined the pardon, and
Williams will probably have TO remain
in the penitentiary for some time to
come.
1t is understood. however, that an
effort will be made in a few months TO
secure another pardon. Governor Jen-
nings is no longer on the board. and
it is believed that the present governor
of the state will favor the pardon.
The Williams crime trial and SEN
tence are still fresh in the minds Of
Miamians residing here at the time Of
their commission and occurrence. Il,
will be remembered that on the night
of January %. 1902. Williams. while
drinking i'm North Miami. shot and kill
81 one Mart y. Bartleson. a drummer
from Jacksonville
His arrest and trial followed. the lat
ter lasting several days. and his attor-
ney. George a. Morley. making a great
and continued effort in his behalf. but
without avail. and a conviction carry
ing with a recommendation Of mercy.
was secured in the June term Of court
in the same year. on the 25th Of June
sentence. committing Williams to the
states prison for the balance Of his
natural life. was pronounced by Judge
Jones. and soon thereafter he left TO
begin his long servitude.
Public sentiment during the trial and
since. has favored Williams. and there
are many here that have expressed the
belief that he Will sooner or later be
pardonej.-Miami Metropolis.
The above has more than passing