The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1909-08-28
MEADVILLE TROUBLE.
SOLDIERS LEAVE, BUT THE, TOWN IS
I'M a STATE OF UNREST.
BunCkIey IIaIfOrd and Ferd Middleton
Discharged Without Going to Trial.

Bunckley lialfOFd and Fefd Middleton
Discharged Without Going to Trial.
Meadville. Miss. Aug. %. The
chancery court convened here today
with Judge j. S. Hicks. of Fayette,
presiding, to hear the charges of
assault with intent to murder
against Ferd Middleton and Bunk
ley Halford for the attempt on the
life of Ernest Newman. clerk of
the chancery court. Sitting with
Judge Hicks was L. A. Whiting
ton, mayor Of the town. and w. j.
Sullivan, justice of the peace, be-
fore whom the charges were made.
The court assembled to hear the
charges against you," spoke Mayor
Wilmington, after the bell in the
court tower proclaimed the opening
Of a special term. aThe prosecu-
tion wishes the charges against
you dismissed because of lack of
evidence to sustain the allegations.
You are both discharged. "
Silence OminOuS.
The silence following the an
nouncement Of the verdict of the
court was ominous. The court
room was crowded with friends of
the Newman boys and also of the
prisoners. Every man in the court
room was in his shirt sleeves to
show that he carried no weapons.
AT the entrance stood a guard of
four men. Another guard stood at
the aisle leading to the bar.
IF it please the court ] would
like to have you hear some of my
Witnesses" spoke Middleton,
breaking the silence. Things
have been said about me that |
would like to disprove. !"
The accused was informed that
the decision of the court was a
complete vindication and that the
charges were dismissed. With a
slight show of emotion, Middleton
expressed his thanks to the court
and bowed himself out. Halford
appeared pleased with the turn OF
affairs and hurried from the court
room.
BrOOkhaven Boys Assist in Arrest of
Middleton.
The arrest of Middleton was
effected early Wednesday morning
by Sheriff r. L. Jones. Sergeant
Grover Sutton and Private Thomas
Chrisman, of Brookhayen, after an
all night ride through the woods
for a distance of five miles. Mid
dIeton was arrested at the home of
a relative. The officers surrounded
the house, but Middleton made no
attempt to escape. He was
brought before Justice of the Peace
Sullivan at 8 O'Clock, arraigned
and placed under a bond of $1,000.
Both men were prepared to prove
an alibi in the event the charges
were pressed against them.
Halford claims that he was at his
home at the time the shot was fired
at Newman. He claims that he
ran upon the gallery after hearing
the first shot and remained there.
He did not leave the house.
Operator Cain, who is in charge of
the telephone station opposite the
Halford home said that he saw
Halford on the gallery.
Ernest Newman Satisfied.
1t is evident that Ernest New
man, who was the prosecutor of
the charges against Halford was
satisfied that there was not suffi-
cient evidence to hold the men in
Jail. Early this morning. James
Halford, the father of the prisoner.
and his brother Giles had a long
talk with Ernest Newman in the
yard OF the courthouse. The par
ties would not discuss the nature OF
the conference. Middleton. the
young mill hand who was charged
with having made statement that
he had a hand in the attempt or
the life Of Ernest Newman, denied
today that there was any truth il
the story. He said that he was
treated unfairly by the people d
the town.
ssI'Il prove at the proper time
that the charges are false and thai
II was miles away from Meadville
when the shot was fired at Ernesi
Newman. /"
Military Companies Return Home.
Half Of the Natchez company Ief.
Iher at Z 20 O'Clock, Captain Storm
Twill remain with the other hall
until Thursday morning.
The trouble is not over, was TIL
lopinion Of Judge Hicks. it is nov
a smoldering volcano which ma.
burst forth with fury at any time
The presence Of the troops will pre-
vent a clash, but just as soon a
/ they are withdrawn there IS ii
telling what may occur
Shells Bought III BrOOkhaVen.
4 1t was rumored today that Len
1 Pritchard had purchased a box b
shells loaded with buckshot il
Brookhaven and had them shippes
To a store at Monroe. The Forten
berry people declare that the shell
were purchased for another party
There was a little excitement earl.
this morning caused BY the expio
sion Of gun in the hands of Pri
|lvate Underwood who was detaiIel
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