The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1908-03-06
GOV. BROWARD'S
PARDON OF DUNCAN
The Monticello News Opinion Of the
Natter.

Natter.
Joe duncan, a negro tie camp boss,
and Will Mcdonald and Douglass
Smith, also negroes, were convicted in
the fall term Of the jefferson county
circuit court in 1905 of being accessories
after the fact in the case of Caesar
Owens, cOnvte led Of numbering another
negro named Sullivan. Duncan, known
as Joe Dunk" had previously es-
capped conviction on serious charges on
technicalities ably urged by eminent
counsel. He, with several others-
among them the above named Melon
aid and Smith-had held I'D two depu-
ties, Mark Ulmer and j. M. Reynolds,
with pistols and murderous threats, and
relieved them Of q negro whom they
held in custody. ThA warrant for the
negro being improDerly signed they
failed Of convictions on the charge of in
terfering with officers in the discharge
Of their duties. This gang of negro
ruffians, gathered from far and near,
by their lawlessness and drunken ca
rousals had earned a bad name in the
Lloyd neighbOrhoOd Three of them,
including their leader, Joe Dunk"
were finally convicted as before stated.
The case was appealed and the verdict
Of the lower court sustained. Soon af-
ter they began to serve their sentence
of five years hard labor efforts were
made to secure pardons The News and
other forces labored to prevent. pardons
being granted.
A few weeks ago the board granted
pardon to Joe Duncan. A represent
alive of the News making inquiry at
Tallahassee reports that Hon. T. L.
Clark, of Monticello, while not appear
ing personally before the board had seen
the Governor and several members of
the board, and made a strong plea YER
bally and in writing for the prisoners
release. This activity on the part of
Mr. Clark is not to be criticised, since
he was the negro attorney, and bound,
while he remained such, to do his best TO
get him free.
All the evidence offered to get this
pardon was an affidavit made by Caesar
Givens, who swears that he lied when
he testified that Joe Duncan was a par
to his murder Of Sullivan. There was
no petition of citizens but the follow
,nG names of the prison guards appear:
J. z. Parrish, Capt y. F. Miller, yard
man; ID. Z. Avery. Q. j. Leitner, WI.
Wheeler, ID. Isl. Avery, j. T. Vining,
guards; j. 7. Musselwhite, S. G. Par
'amore, driftriders.
Here we have an eminent attorney
packed by the statement of a convicted
murderer and self confessed perjurer,
together with the names of few con-
net camp attaches, obtaining a nuIlif-
.ation Of jury's verdict secured at
'reat expense to the Taxpayers Of JEFF
ersOn county.
Note now what was done to prevent
his outrage on legal procedure The
ditOr Of the News went in person Co
ne Governors office, left with the
governors secretary a brief statement
I the case, and asked an opportunity
o be heard before action should be
AIKEN. On GoYernOr Broward's return
he writer sent two personal letters TO
ne Governor asking him not to act in
his case without giving citizens of this
ounty 3 chance to be heard. Other
ltizens wrote also to the Governor
laking The same request With an abb
dilute disregard Of these urgent re-
uests the negro was set free without
ny opportunity being given for the
80 ~ INC case 70 DO Drought OUT
The News has paid little attention to
be wild lamentations of other news
apers concerning the wholesale par
cling out of pardOns by the board, sup
osing them 70 be inspired by political
limOsity. The news now sees the
after brought home, and tenders it's
'ologies to it's Hronged contemporar-
8.
The News has been a supporter of
e sdministrafiDn's policies-without
or prejudice, and there
re cannot be sccused of prejudice in
is case.
1t Is the opinion of the News that
netting should be done by the next
yislature 70 clip the wings of this
nch Of pardOners.
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