The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-13
IRBY'S SENTENCE
THIRTY YEARS
MISS DEMPSEY'S ASSAILANT
GETS LIMIT OF LAW.
Spartanburg Court Room Jammed
With Spectators Anxious to
Hear Proceedings.
The State.

The State.
Spartanburg, Nov. 11.-John Irby,
colorcd, was convicted in the special
term of court this morning on the
charge Of assault with intent to ra-
wish upon the person Of Miss Leila
Dempsey and was sentenced by Judge
Schumpcrt to 80 years at hard labor
III the State pcnitentiary. Trby was
carried to Columbia this afternoon by
Deputy Sheriff Bcckncll, who was es-
eortcd as far as Laurcns by the
Tranyham Guards, returning home
after spending "a hours in Spartan-
burg helping the Hampton Guards
keep the peace and protect the negro
lrby from mob violence.
The trial passed off quietly and
there was no sign of trouble at an,
time during the day. Trby was az
raigncd at 1l.45 and at 1.l2 D. m.
Judge Schumpcri passed sentence on
him.
Long before the appointed time Of
the opening Of court IA large crowd
gathered about the court houSc and
The court yard. The corridors and
Railways on the first and second
floors of the court house were pack
cd with men eager to see Irby and
hear the trial. Shortly before 10
O'Clock guard composed of five
soldiers marched into the hallway OF,
the second floor and began forcing
the crowd down stairs. Only the
iurymcn and court officials were al
lowed in the court room. The SQUAD
OF soldiers stood at the foot Of the
stairs with crossed bayonct< and no
one was allowed to pass.
Organizing the Court.
While the crowd remained down,
stairs Watching the gates of the Jail
yard for first glimpse Of the Negro.
Judge Schumpcrt and Solicitor Seas,
were IN the court room upstairs or.
@anizing the court. The grand jur,
was got together and Judge Schum.
pert gave them short talk as to
their duties. The petit jurors were
got together and all the machinery of
the court put in good running order.
All this took up considerable lime.
Meanwhile the crowd down stairs be-
gan to get restless and on every side
one could hear men talking of the
nr"nlr hrin" robbed Of their rights
by being kept out Of the court room,
thing never heard Of before.
From sullcnness and rcstlcssness
the crowd changed TO good humor
and had quite IL lot Of fun jccrng at
the soldiers and making all manner
of comment in ,jacosc way Of the
boys in uniform. At 1890 the door,
of The conrt room were opened ana
there WAS Il mighty rush for the stair.
way LEADING" up stairs. The soldiers
stood with crossed havoncts and tricd
to keep the crowd passing up the
steps single file. But it was no use.
Hundreds Of strong, eager and deter
mined men, pushing with might and
main, were too much for five young
men in uniform. The STEPS wcr.
jammed, and men were mashed up III
the press till they called out for
mercy, laughing in frcnzicd delight.
Scuifling to keep their feet. and
pushing the men ahead. the crowd
went up the steps.
Court Room Filled
When the court room was filled to
its capacity, Sheriff Nichols ordered
the soldiers at the door TO let no more
pass in. All who could moi find
seats on the inside were asked to
move ont. Seats We're at premium
and ii was surprising to see how
small surface big g-bodicd men could
find a resting place. There were NOR.
people left on the outside Of the court
room than there were on the inside.
II was most curious crowd. Every
body wanted the trial to begin.
When the crowd rushed into the
court room the grand jury was out
with the Indictment Of Irby for as
sault with intctnt to ravish and the
indictment of murder against Elmore
Wright the young man who is chare.
cd with having shot and killed A. G..
Kirkcndall at Moorcs some weeks
ago. In few minutes the grand