The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
JUDGE WILKINSON
 SUCCEEDS HIMSELF Governor Vardaman Reappoints
 Holder of Office NEGRO CONVICT IS CAUGHT After Four Years Out of Prison Negro Is Returned to Serve Out His
 Sentence and Declares His
 Innocence of Murder.
NEGRO CONVICT IS CAUGHT

Jackson, Miss. August 22.-(Special)- Governor Vardaman rose to the occasion in the appointment of a judge in the Sixth district by naming Judge M H. Wilkinson to succeed himself. It has been feared that Governor vardaman would permit his personal likes and dis likes to get the better of his judgment in the naming of this particular judge. Hon. E. E. Brown of Natchez, one of his most active supporters for the United States Senate, was after the place. and is under stood to have been strongly indorsed by his local bar. MT. Brown is the man who took 1t upon himself to recount the vote at Natchez during the suspense over the senatorial election, and for which he was severely criticized. The appointment of Judge Wilkinson as his own successor gives very general satisfaction over his district.
 Negro Buck In Prison.
 Bill Griffin, a negro convict, who es- caped from the penitentiary four years ago. and who was reeaptured in turpen- tine orchard near Poplarsville a few days ago, has been returned to the penitentiary to spend the balance of his days. He was convicted of murder in Perry county, but there have always been serious doubts as to his guilt He was a prosperous kind of darkey, owned his home and had wife and several children. He declares the negroes of his neighborhood were en- vious of him and laid the murder to his door, the man who really did the killing having died before the trial of his case, and his wife testifying that Griffin did the deed. He declares his innocence with tears in his eyes
 Knights of Honor Adjourn.
 The Knights of Honor have adjourned after two days sesson of ;Aair Grand Lodge here The old officers were all re- elected. something that was never known 10 happen before, and shows a harmonious organization. During the last session of the lodge Vice Supreme Dictator tseve Johnson of Atlanta delivered a very inter- esting address on the work of the order, and which was calculated to arouse eiis thusiasm and renewed energy in the mem bership For the first time in the his- tory of the organization a lady represen- tative, Miss Emma Morris of Itta Bena, was admitted. to a seat among the dele gates to the Grand Lodge.
 First Bale Sold.
 A special from Lexington, Holmes coun- ty, reports the arrival and sale of the first bale of cotton of the crop of 1907-S. It was sold for 20 cents per pound and shipped by express to a Memphis broker. PeIore leaving Lexington the bale was literally covered with Noel buttons, Lex ington being the home of that guberna- torial candidate.
 Delegates Appointed.
 Governor Yardaman has appointed the following as delegates to the Lakes-to- the-Gulf convention that is to. be held in Memphis, September 5. the appointees being by congressional districts in the order named: George T. Mitchell, Tupelo A c. Anderson, Ripley; Charles Scott, Rosedale s. R. Hughston, Alderman; S. A Witherspoon, Meridian T. G. Bilbo, Poplarsville; w w. Dickson, Centerville; C. M Williamson. Jackson. These are among the most prominent lawyers and business men in the state