Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-29
Takes Steps TO- Punish
Chattanooga LyncheTs'
Attorney espstal Moody Starts
~ Contempt Proceedings.
Sheriff Is Accused Il Aiding The 4nehsrs
>. and Will 90 Called Iaie Ceurt.~

Washington. May 2S.-The govern
ment has taken steps to punish the
persons who are responsible for the
lynching in Chattanooga, Tenn, on
March 10, last, Of the negro, Ed. John
son, who, under the sentence of death
for rape, had been allowed to appeal
by the United states supreme court
from the circuit court of the United
states for the Eastern district Of Tenn
essee. In the supreme court today At
torney General Moody filed an informa-
tiSn requesting tilat in consideration of
the acts committed 10y the parties nam
ed, it issue a rule epon each Of them to
show cause why they should not be
punished for contempt Of the court.
The persons named as defendants are
John F. Shipp,. Frank Jones, Matthew
Galloway. =. A. Baker. T., B. Taylor
Fred Frauiey. George Brown, Jeremi-
all Gibson, Merton Perkins, Joseph
Clark, Nick Nolan "jheenie' Warn
er, Luther Williams, Pauf Pool, Will
liam Marquette, William Beeler. Claude
Pow ell, Charles J.. Powell. Bart" JUS
tice. John Jones. A. J. Cartwright r.
F. Cartwright. Henry Padgett, William
May, Frank Ward. John Varnell, and
alfred Hammond
After reciting the facts Of arrest.
conviction and sentence of johnson.
the denial of,his application for writ of
habeas CORPUS by the circuit court. in
which 1t was alleged among other
things that the petitioner had been de-
MED trial by fair and impartial
jury and had been denied the aid of
counsel. in violation of the fifth and
{Nt tN No
and other rights under the 18th amend
ment; and the order of the court of
March 10. allowing the appeal to the su-
preme court; and the fact Of the tele-
graphing of the order Of the court to
John F. Shipp. sheriff of Hamilton
county, who had Johnson in charge,
and the publica ton Of the action of the
court in the Chattanooga evening pa
pers Of that date. the attorney gener-
alsstates that the sheriff and his depu-
ties had every reason to believe from
current reports and rumors conveyed
to them that an attempt would be made
to. lynch Johnson. and that notwith-
standing these facts the sheriff with
drew from the Jail early In the evening
of the 10Th. the usual guard, and left
ins charge only the night jailor, Deputy
Sheriff Gibson.
1t was also stated that about 9 O'Clock
on that night. the defendants and a
large number Of other persons conspir-
ed to lynch and murder johnson, with
intent to show their contempt for the
order Of the court and for the pur.
pose of preventing it from hearing the
appeal allowed, by the court and for
the purpose of preventing the pris-
oner from exercising a right secured
to him by the laws. and constitution of
the United States.
The facts attending the lynching are
given in the information filed and the
statement is made that although Sher-
IN Ship returned to the Jail while it
was In possession Of a mob, neither he
nor Deputy Gibson did anything to
prevent the lynching, but in fact aided
those engaged in it. The attorney gen.
eral closes as follows:
therefore. the United States of
America. the complainant herein,
through their attorney general, respect
fully request their honorable court that
In consideration OF the acts committed
by the above named defendants and
each Of them. as hereinhefore set forth.
1t will issue and direct the marshal of
this court to serve upon said defend
ants and each Of them rule to show
cause. II any there be. on day certain.
why said defendants and each of them
should not be punished as and for a
contempt Of this honorable court"
The court granted leave to Gle as re-
Quested.@ making the rule sreturnabIe on
the second Monday of the next term of
COURT October is neyt.