The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-10-04
no attempt made to conceal seri-
business of the situation.
More Trouble Expe -
A prominent member of ~. lo

no attempt made to conceal seri-
More Trouble E1pex -
A prominent member of - local bar
here said to me today: Is useless
to disguise the fact that the situation
Is serious. Still believe there will be no
further violence" Fear Is espresso
that there will be serious trouble when
Robinson and Thompson are broug
back from Birmingham. Many threats
have been made that the negroes will
never reach the court room alive. This
fear is accentuated by the alleged ex-
preston of Judge o. ]. Semmes that
he will not hold trial where 1t is
necessary 20 have military protection
in the court ROOM At the present
writing the city Is quiet and all danger
seems to have dissolved.
mass meeting of people of Mobile
in Bienville Square at 4 o'clock this
afternoon. At this gathering, attend
ed by fully FIVE hundred men. remarks
of the most incendiary nature were
made. Anger against Sheriff Powers
for spiriting away the negro Robin
son, against Mayor Lyons for calling
for military protection. against Gov
ernor Jelks for ordering troops here
at this time, and against Judge
Semmes because of delay of the trial of
Thompson. the other negro under in
dictment were freely made, and every
where applauded.
Under the historic live oaks of the
square the crowd gathered in little
knots each gathered about one or
two who were arguing and harangu-
ing the crowd. The men were angry,
and the cause was not far to find.
Judge Semmes Speaks.
Much toward calming the turbulent
spirit of the crowd was accomplished
by Judge o. J. Semmes before whom
the trials Of Robinson and Thompson
will be heard next Tuesday and Wed
nesday In a speech short. but of
most significant import. he called up
and let the law take its course.
And he held up to them. the assur-
ance by Inference. II no more. that the
negro accused Of raping little Ruth
Sossoman yesterday, will meet with
the extreme penalty of the law. wait
seven days" he said, land let the law
have him. At such a time as the pres
ent and with a Southern Jury. the
result Is inevitable" and In conclusion
the Judge said. "and Il on Tuesday
and Wednesday next I do not perform
my duty as judge, then the blame shall
fall upon me-"
Stating his position, Judge Semmes
said that as a Southern man, his SYM
pathies were all with them. But an
archy could not be condoned. He an
nounced that true bills had been found
against the accused negroes. and that
their trial and execution, II convic-
ted. would be speedy. storm of
applause greeted his remarks. but
when he had concluded, a voice rose
from the crowd. Yes. but hanging
is too good for a beast like that" and
the applause was re-doubled.
Horton Makes Talk.
T,,I
Horton had been called upon. Appar-
emily ne was unable to address the
crowd. Mounting to the band stand
in the square, he started to speak, but
his voice failed him. T. am with the
crowd" he said at last. II would rath-
err see every niger in Mobile burned
here in the square than -"
He was unable to proceed further.
The significance of his words at this
time. however. lie in the fact that
Warren Horton is not the kind Of man
who Is usually clamoring for violence.
He is teller in a bank here and he rep
resented In his few words this after
noon the sentiments not of the lawless
alone, but of large number of the bet
ter class of citizens.
The truth is, that Mobile is in
frenzy over the cases of Robinson and
Thompson. Two negroes have commit
ted crimes uncomfortable upon white
children, and they have not yet been
punished. This feeling may give way
later. when the present intense excite
ment has had time to die down. But
at the present stage. the Mobile spirit
is aroused and fears of the gravest ma
ture are entertained.
Unless mob violence interferes, Jim
Robinson, the negro accused of ravisn-
ing l1-year-old Ruth Sossoman in the
outskirts of Mobile yesterday morning.
will give speedy justice by law
According to an announcement made
in open court today. the trial will be
held before Judge o. j. Semmes of the
City Court of Mobile Tuesday of next
week The grand jury, which is in
session at the present time. today re-
turned a true bill. charging rare
against Robinson. who is now in jail
in Rirmine ham. having been spirited
away from the city by deputies last
evening.
At the same time two true bills We're
returned by the body against VIII
7 thompson. whose removal to Birrling-
ham a month ago brought about such
Popular Indignation, one charging him
with the assault Of Lillian Savelle. anu
the other with similar crime upon the
person of Edna May Fowler.
Both children had been enticed by
him. it is charged to a vacant house.
l nc poiicc say also lntt lHty KNOW inc
nan who fired the shot which proved
fatal to Roy Hoyle when the mob at
attempted to storm the county Jail hers,
last night, and that they will have
MN under arreJ; IN day or two.
Situation StilI Serious.
Although the officers here are taking
every precaution to quiet the people
ard hasten the trial of the two negroes.
there is no attempt made to conceal
the fact that the situation is most ser
Gus. Fears OF race riot similar 20
the recent trouble in Atlanta are frr.-S
| ly expressed by people high in author.
Ity and unless the influence of tn"
leaders is sufficient to calm the pulse
rf the people. there Is no predicting The
| outcome.
/ Everywhere on the streets is heard
the talk of the more reckless ana
! condemnation is frankly expressed ,f
the action of Sheriff Powers in remov-
ing the negro Robinson from the c,t,
The people seem to feel that tho
danger of repetition of the crime must
he removed. Mobile is stirred to The
soul by the crime perpntrated against
the little Sossoman girl. the third of
its kind within the short period of
four weeks.
That the negro was removed from
their clutches before summary ven
gence could be wrecked upon him,
seems to be regarded by many as an
affront to the people Of the communi-
ty. Practically every one believes in
his guilt, and seem determined that
he shall he made to suffer.
Representative People In Mob.
There is one unusual fe iture about
the situation here which adds to it's
ing for vengeance and who last night
were clamoring for the Negroes blood