Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-24

full If the law-abiding ones would have
been injured, the attention of the crowd
was centered on the negro in the jail.
Captain Morris saw that something must
be done. About IL :45 o'clock ne mad a man
secure an automobile from the Brumby
garage and il was driven to the rear OF
the Jail. Several soldiers were detailed to
60 down the street and nre their guns.
The ruse worked admirably. The crowd
rushed pell-mell in the direction of the
shots and the negro was hurriedly put Ia
the automobile, driven by young Ed Mich
OILS. who is employed at the Brunby gar
age and the wild ride to Atlanta was be-
gun.
The crowd was mad at first but soon
cooled down. After the auto had departed
the chief concern of its members was the
fear that Nichols, Captain Norris and
other members of the party might come
To harm while driving through the couh-
try.
ed Nichols is the son of widow, and
she was wild with fear when she learned
her son was off on such perilous mis-
mission. II,
shortly after the negro had been spirit
ed away the mob went to their homes ana
the troops disbanded and only re" re-
manned about the jail and court house
The automobile in which Bannister was
taken to Atlanta was secured surrepti-
tiously from the garage.
THE STORY OF THE MOB
The Marietta Rifles were called out at
Q O'Clock Saturday night by order Of Judge
n. A. Morris, of the superior court to
protect frank Bannister, negro, VINO IN
an effort to release a negro woman from
arrest and who was being carried to jail
almost completely severed Sergeant Will
liam Couper's head from his body. The
trouble began about O'Clock saturday
night. when two negro women became en-
gagged In a difficulty on the public square
and Policeman n. B. White attempted to
arrest htem. calling on Copper, who was
talking to him. 70 assist him. Copper at
once took hold of one of the women and
started toward Jail, followed by the negro
who did the cutting.
The streets were crowded at the time
and before Copper had gone half across
the street he was overtaken by the negro,
who was dressed in baseball uniform,
ran I'D behind him and grabbing him
from behind almost completely cut his
head with a razor. which was later found
under a switch engine in the railroad
yards.
After the attack. young Copper grabbed
the pistol of Policeman White, and in an
exhibition Of remarkable nerve, followed
the assailant, firing four shots at him,
but in his weakened condition, his aim
was had, and so far as it known he was
not hit.
FELL FROM LOSS OF BLOOD.
Couper fell exhausted near the office of
Dr. c. T. Nolan. and DR.. Crawford a<d
DR.. Nolan quickly began to attempt to
save his lie. During this time the news
spread rapidly and within a few minutes
he entire town was thrown into fren-
~ and wild mob clamored for revenge.
a negro shortly afterward was arrested
by Mr.. Floyc w. Northcutt who closely
filled the description and hurried TO Jail.
By this time a mob Of probably thous-
ard or more had formed at the jail.
Judge Morris. realizing the situation, or
dered the Marietta Rifles to take charge
of the situation and protect the jail at all
hazards.
The riot alarm was turned in by Cap
/ tain Morris and within 80 minutes the
company had surrounded the jail and cut
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