The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-04-28

not have q bath for three months while
confined In Montgomery.
He wouldn't have had one II he had
been out of JAIL" retorted Mr.. Rich
ardson.
-At least he would have Rad the OPP
portunity," Mr.. Tate shot back at Mr..
Richardson across the table.
To show that the wetumpka Jail was
safe and provided more comforts than
the Montgomery prison former Sheriff
w. o. Robbins and Sheriff Weldon
were called to testify.
Mr.. Tate made Mr.. Robbins admit
that the conditions at the Wetumpka
jail had been improved vastly since
Mr.. Weldon had been sheriff. He also
drew from Mr.. Robbins the remark
able statement that during his term
of ONCE the jail was In charge Of q me-
gro and that that negro was Arthur
Gum. the negro who 10 now in jail
here charged with assault to murder.
The ex-sheriff testified further that
when Bill Rigby escaped from the Wei
tumpka TAIL some time ago 1t was
to the carelessness OF Q negro COCK
who unlocked the door and. let Rigby
walk out.
Question Of JaiIs.,
Sheriff Weldon said that he could not
keep all Of the Rigbys in the Wetump-
ka jail with safety. He could do it.,
he said. by putting some Of them in
the cells with negroes.
That would subject you to indict-
ment. Mr.. Sheriff. said Judge Richard
son.
Finally Judge Richardson made an
order for the removal OF ELL, Nei1l and
John Rigby to che Montgomery Jail and
remanded Allen Rigby and Jack Short
to the Wetumpka Jail.
Rv q - hn%u
Judge Richardson fixed the bail Of AL
len Rigby, John Rigby and Jack Short.
whose cases have been continued until
the next term Of court, at $1,000 each
1t was said that the defendants will
not be able to make bonds although
there is possibility that old man Rig
by will secure bail
Public sentiment here as to old man
Rigby Is peculiar. In business circles
he bears splendid reputation. He
pays his debts, makes good living
and Is proud of his credit.
"Old man Rigby," said weteumpka
business man. "is as good at our banks
as a gold dollar"
But, by the way, old man Rigby
drinks whiskey. The whole family
drinks whiskey. they say. Herein Is
found the destruction OF the Rigbys,
according to public opinion.
An impressive Phase OF this traI
in a small town Is the hardship 1t
works upon the; plain country folks
who must travel great distance as
witnesses and jurors A hundred or
more witnesses have slept two nights
on the hard benches of the court
house. There was no other place for
them to sleep II they had had the
money to pay for lodging. Most of
them did not have the money. The
witness for the defendant will not re-
ceive cent for their privation and
their neglect of the crops back home
when I first became a Circuit
Judge" said Judge Richardson. It
would give these poor people money
to buy food ana lodging. But I soon
found that could spend all my sal
airy that way"
Here is an opportunity for a Legis-
iature that seems to have a yearning
to dispose of money in the treasury.
The only case set for trial here to-
day was that of Arthur Gum, the ne
gro who shot two negroes on the
streets of Wetumpka. His lawyers
came into court with the certificate of
a physician that Gum was sick and
the case was continued until the next
term of court.
Judge Richardson went to Montgom-
ery this afternoon where he took the
train for him home in Greenville. The
Mont romery lawyers have gone home