davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15
Saint Maru's Beacon
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE.

The following tracts OF land located in
st, Mary's county can be purchased
cheap and on liberal terms, II time Is de-
sired
A farm on road. leading from Saint
Johns to St. Andrews church; contain,
ing 125 acres. Dwelling Of five rooms,
stable and barn. Level and fairly tim
bered. Soil varied.
A farm near, or adjoining the same.
on the Glebe road, containing 226 acres,
level and well timbered. Small dwelling
and stables, barn and corn house in good
condition. Fine tobacco soil.
A farm neal. Laurel Grove containing
100 acres, more or less. Dwelling and
out houses In good condition. Fine
Tobacco soil.
Also. one farm containing 100 acres,
near Jarboesville, Sth District. well
timbered In oak, pine and gum.
The above lands being owned by me,
can be purchased exclusive Of Agents
commission.
In addition to the above lands, hyae
for sale the following very desirable
farms In the 5th district, near Charlotte
Hall, and on the Southern Maryland
Railroad, which can be bought at re.
sonable figures and on liberal terms.
4 farm in the 5th District, containing
258 acres; can be divided into two
farms. On one side is barn OF 60x4O,
with large peach orchard; on other side,
two small dwellings, directly on railroad;
both sides we'll timbered.
Another farm containing 200 acres;
building; large dwelling Of 10 rooms
three barns and tenant house Well
timbered.
Another farm Of 1873 acres; fine, roomy
dwelling; new barn, 40x40; well tim
bered and tenant houses for labor.
Another farm OF 1876 acres; largedweIl-
ing OF Z rooms and 2 barns; heavily
timbered with chestnut and white oak.
Tenant house for labor.
Another farm Of 1853 acres; room
dwelling; ? nice barns Ia good repair. !
tenant house.
The last mentioned four farms adjoin
each other, near Charlotte Hall, and all
In close proximity to Railroad.
ENOCH u. ABELL,
LeonaFdtowp, Md.
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15
Greenwich Mill.

FLOUR, Meal and Feed on hand
for sale oil the time cheap for cAslI,
Hereafter, Ia order 10 avoid hav-
ing 10 keep mill books, ali orders
must be accompanied BIZ the cash.
=. IT. GREENWELL,
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15

Brickyard.

Having established BrlckyAFd At HANG
HMk M1AkA. uNAx Aecnardtowu. 4 beg 20 no.
furnish Bricks e 81 grades e tho following
Sab prices: ~ ~ and $40 per =. Wen
NK 0RKzNwKKL.
Leonae6toWns Nd.
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15
Nd. Del, 4 Va. Ry. Co.
pATUxENT RIVER ROUTE.


In Eject December 9th. 1900
Read carefully, as important changes
have been made.
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15
Blacksnithing.

HAVING erected q new Blacksmith shou
on my lot on Fenwick Street. Le0narslt0Wn,
and having eecured the services Of an expert
pared TO do an work ii my line Of business
with care and promptnsas. Subtraction gnra-
anteed.
VIZ. 0. MAzRyNaLx.
Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-04-15

With an elegant new Hearse and
q full stock Of Collins and Caskets /
am prepared 70 serve funerals atthe
shortest notice and upon the most
reasonable terms.
In connection with this designate
especial attention TO my Blacksmith
and Wheelwright department.
All orders quickly and neatly ~
tended 10.
a. q. WEIGH.
June l-y. Chaptiso.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24
SPECIAL TRAIN FOR PRISONER.

There was some delay this afternoon
in bringing the prisoner from Jackson
owing to the misunderstanding be-
tween the county officials and those
of the office of the Governor. Mack,
heavily guarded by troops, had been
taken to Jackson this morning from
Vicksburg, where he has BEEN i'm
Jail since taken in charge by the
state Soon after noon COL Jones, of
the militia, called Sheriff White by
long distance and informed him that
the guardsmen were awaiting his or
ders. The sheriff informed the Col.
that he would call him later and tell
him what was to be done. At the
same time in Brandon the grand jury
was in session and two sets Of petit
Jurors were being called from which
twelve men might be selected to hear
the evidence Gov. Noel heard of
the state of affairs, and Immediately
called Judge J. r. Byrd by telephone.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24
VOW Mack Sndlcted Svied and couvicted
VOM PAY ne Death Penalty 3ridaN, Su\Y %
2hree 31undred State MaiaNen Suard at Brandon-No
Demonstration is Made by Sweat Crowds.

Then he sat DOWN again
The Judge them called Col. Sam
McCants of the guardsmen, and the
prisoner was turned over to the State
militia ito be returned to the Warren
county jail until the day of the execu-
ton. Upon that date-just thirty-two
days after the day of the hearing,
thirty days being allowed by law
Mack is to be brought to Brandon,
4 Tned over to Sheriff White and then
put to death as the law prescribes.
Mr.. Girdlestone did not, ask for
a new trial, nor was any endeavor
made to appeal the case.
In selecting the jury thirty-one men
had been examined before the box
was filled. Most of them had set
opinions When Mack was returned
over to the soldiers again part of a
company came into the courtroom
and escorted the prisoner down the
back steps and INFO the line of
guardsmen that stood waiting. While
the trial was going on the soldiers
spent the time in the courtyard rest
ing. Then the march to the depot
began. The condemned man was as
carefully guarded as before. Out the
courtyard the soldiers went pass the
tall, white, commanding monument
and ON toward the old Jackson road
again. ALI Brandon was ready to see
the sight over again. Some people
cheered as before and laughed, and
every one seemed good-natured, salts
fled that the law had had its way
At no time during the day had
there been any indications of disorder
The soldiers passed the crowds and
every onlooker stood on tips and
climbed to catch another glimpse of
the negro who had BEEN sentenced
to death only a few minutes before
And as the soldiers disappeared
about the corner not far from the
square the people were still happy
and were scattering and talking, and
everything seemed all right. Every
ONE seemed happy. Everybody ex-
cept one. She was little, wrinkled
black woman who stood on the corner
She did not smile She simply watch
ed the soldiers march and heard the
tramp become more dim and fade
away. 1t was the condemned mans
wife.
Tonight every thing is quiet in
Brandon. 1t was nearly 8 o'clock be-
fore the troops got away from the
station, enc special train going to
Jackson with the negro and the other
soldiers returning to Meridian AT
ter the militimen had gone, Brandon
ate a late supper talking a little
bit more and then nodded a while in
the chair 1t had been long, tedious
strenuous day. And tonight Brandon
slept the sleep of peace and quietude.
Tomorrow she will begin looking for
ward to July %.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24
Special to the Times-Democrat.

Special to the Times Democrat.
Brandon, Miss, June 21.-Will
Mack, a negro, was indicted today,
tried, convicted and sentenced to
death, all within six hours, for Grim
inal assault committed upon white
girl eight months agO. Troops, 300
of them, brought Mack to Brandon
this afternoon, and after the trial
took him away again. He was taken
toVickshurg where he is to remain inn
Jail until July %, the date set for
the execution. 1t was the quickest
trial of it's kind ever held in the state
Mack was caught near Senatobia
four weeks ago. While being brought
to Brandon he was taken from de-
putty sheriff by officers of the state
militia, Gov. Noel having issued
this order, fearing that the negro
would be lynched. Mack was placed
in Jail and the state officials refused
to say where he was being kept.
When the date of the trial was set,
a special term of court being decided
upon to try Mac, Gov. Noel again
took hand in the affair and issued
orders to the effect that the negro
would be given every protection of
the law and that troops would bring
the prisoner to Brandon and look
after his welfare at all hazards. The
Governor did this, he explained to
prevent the possibilities of a mob
taking the law in it's own hands
before a trial could be held.
The militia officers took Mack from
a Jail at night where a Rankin depu-
ty had left him. This was at Grena-
da. Since them the people of Bran
don and Rankin county in general
have felt hurt, and so expressed them
selves, that the authority of Sheriff
White should have been interfered
with and his prisoner taken from
him.
Owing to these facts and the case
in general, the case has attracted
attention throughout Mississippi and
the South.
1t was Mamie Myers, fifteen-years-
old daughter of Will Myers, farmer
not far from Pelahatchie, who was
assaulted in November by Mack in
lonely road not far from her home,
And it was Mamie Myers who appear
ed against the negro today and gave
the damaging evidence that will even
tually result in the mans death, his
penalty for the crime.
The other principal witness fer the
State was George B. Owen, deputy
sheriff, who arrested Mack in Tate
county, and to whom the prisoner
practically confessed Mack had told
Owen that he thought the girl was
dead wher he left her.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24
SHORTEST HEARING IN COUNTY.

SHQRTEST HEARING in COUNTY.
The hearing of Mack was the short
est criminal trial I'M the history of
Rankin county. The longest on re-
cord was that of J. SIS. Hamilton
charged with the killing of Roderick
Gambrell, one of the most noEed
criminal trials i'm the history of Mis-
sissfppi The case was brought to
Brandon on a. change of venue from
Jackson, Kinds county. This was
some twenty years ago. Hamilton
was acquitted. The trial lasted five
weeks.
Never before since the Hamilton
Gambren case, with the exception of
Fourth of July and other celebrations
has Brandon entertained such crowds
as she did today. The hotels werA
well filled, and In several of the
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24

was Mack, in the center of that
moving mass, but he did not once
look up.
A few minutes after the troops fill
ed into the courthouse yard Mack
was turned over to the custody of
the sheriff. This was in the court
room where Judge Byrd and the jury
men and many others had waited.
Then the troops withdrew from the
building. Sheriff White had claimed
his own again.
The courthouse was built fifty-six
years ago. 1t was one of three build
ings that withstood the attacks of
Steels army when it set fire to the
town, and which work was later com
pleted by Sherman when he came by
the old Jackson road from Vicksbrg
some forty-odd years ago.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24

VI lie CIuIu anu Oh 0LS 0IIOILS 10 Iluu
her, knowing that she had come to
some harm. Mr.. Moore was cross-ex-
amined by MIR. Girdlestone, and was
also asked many questions by the
court. Miss Mandy Moore, an aunt,
told of the girls bruised body and
of the black and blue marks about
her neck, the imprints of massive
human hands. Miss Moore also relat-
ed other details of her investigation
after the tragedy.
Next to the statement of the girl
the testimony of Deputy Owen was
the most important of the hearing.
He told of arresting Mack, who at
first maintained that the Myers girl
had died. The deputy continued to
question the prisoner. After while,
Mack admitted that he had thought
that he had killed the girl when he
checked and beat her with the gun.
Wallace Harp was another witness
for the State, he having been one
of those who had seen Mamie Myers
soon after she had been found
Immediately after the testimony
was in, District Attorney J. R. East,
who had charge of the case for the
State, announced that the prosecution
was prepared to rest.
Five witnesses for the defense took
the stand. The defendant himself al
SO testified and in a weak and hesitat
ing manner told why he had left this
part of the country ON Nov. 81, the
day after the deed. He said that be-
tween 8 and O'Clock on the morning
of the occurrence he was picking cot
tom; that he could prove this by his
wife and others. That night Mack
claimed that he had been in a crap
game with other negroes. He said
after gambling all night he had de
cided to leave the country because of
a Debt he owed and that he believed
(he could raise the money elsewhere.
Mack was confused. His statements
were not direct and he hesitated and
asked questions in return when ques-
tions were asked, the old trick of
avoiding an answer. Mack made
good witness for the State.
His wife contradicted him. Wallace
Harp, Dick Harp, w. H. D. Purvis
and Virgil Till had been summoned
at Mack's requset, but failed to bear
him out in any of his statements.
There was no rebuttal.
District Attorney East talked to
the jury only about seven or eight
minutes. He said the case had been
proven and asked for verdict as
charged in the indictment not yet six
hours old. The attorney for the
defense said but a few words, and
read his instruction to the twelve
farmers in the box.
AT 6:32 o'clock the judge charged
the jury and sent them to their quar-
ters. Two special baihffs were APP
pointed to look after them.
VERDICT REACHED QUICKLY.
At GAS the jurors returned. The
verdict had been reached Will Mack
had been found guilty as charged in
exactly thirteen minutes. When the
verdict was read Mack did not move
hair. He sat as he had during the
afternoon, with his chair tilted back
ON its two back legs.
Asked if he had anything to say,
the defendant arose and said again
that he was innocent, but as the ver-
dict had been against him he would
put himself upon the mercy of the
court Then the death sentenced
was announced. "Wil Mack, you are
to hang by the neck until dead at
the appointed time ON July % next, "
said the judge graye1y. VIII Mack
nodded to indicate that he understood
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24

store buildings facing the courthouse
square the women and church societi-
es served dinner.
Brandon arose early this morning
to prepare for the arrival of the pris-
oner, the soldiers, farmers and others
from elsewhere, it seemed. Almost
before Brandon was thoroughly awake
manv had arrived, coming on
horseback, in wagons, other vehicles
of various kinds and even by OK team.
Soon after Brandon had had break
fast the morning train from Jackson
had arrived, bringing attorneys, far
mers-who had been summoned-and
many others who were coming for va
rious purposes. Among those on the
train were Major c. ]. " Seutter of
National Guard. He came early to
prepare for the arrival Of the soldiers
and prisoner during the afternoon.
The train looked like an excursion
party.
There were few at the depot, with
the exception of hack drivers, when
the train pulled into the station,
which is a mile from the town proper.
Then there was the scramble of the
hack drivers for patrons, although
there were really more than could be
handled. With the coming OF the
train came the rain that had been
threatening all morning. But the hack
drivers were prepared for rain and
had rubber coats whichkept them dry
while the patrons for whom they all
had been scrambling looked after
themselves.
When the advance guard of the sol
diers arrived up town Brandon was
still rubbing her eyes. She was not
thoroughly awake. But it took her
only few minutes to do up her hair,
and everything was in readiness for
the judge to take his seat at the
bench and call the grand jurors and
others. A few minutes after noon
the task. of impanelling grand jury
was started. 1t lasted but a few min
utes. Twelve men were chosen and
sworn.
In charging the jurors Judge Byrd
said that he would be brief in his
remarks and that he expected the
men to complete any work that might
be brought to their attention as soon
as possible The two petit juries
were called and impanelled and the
court adjourned for dinner.
Before Judge Byrd had finished
his meal the jury had done its duty.
Mack had been indicted. Five weeks
ago Mack was located by Sheriff
White in Tate county, where he had
married again. Deputy Sheriff Geo.
Owen went after Mack, but before he
had returned to Brandon with his
prisoner Gov. Noel ordered the mill
tary authorities to take charge of the
accused, to prevent a possible lynch
ing.
Accordingly, Mack was taken In
charge by Adjutant Gen. Arthur
Fridge and Major Seutter of the Natl
onal Guard and placed I'M jail -at/
Vicksburg. Although the place Of
keeping was supposed to be a State
secret, many in Brandon kpew/@f the
negro's whereabouts, as he Dad writ
ten white men for whom Ne had for
merly worked. asking them to do
something in his behalf. But at the
state capitol Mack<was spoken of in
whispers, and pc one had any idea
that Brandon was nearly as well
aware of tne location of the prison
holding Mack as the state officials
This morning Mack guar
ded< by State troops, was taken to
Jackson in specially provided car.
There he was kept until the indict-
ment had been returned against him
by the special grand jury at Brandon.
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24

FINALLY the judge informed the Gov
ernor that the indictment. had been
returned and that everything was
in readiness to begin the case. So
that settled the startling of the troops
from Jackson, and On they came ON
special train. Preceding them to
Brandon, other troops from Meridian
had been sent.
Judge Byrd explained later that he
had had an understanding with the
Governor that Mack was to be
brought here as soon as indicted and
not before.
Sheriff White says Mack would have
been in Jackson yet If the soldiers
had waited for orders from him to
bring the negro to Brandon. 'They
took Mack away from me-" the sheriff
explains, and so I have waited for
them to return him"
1t took nine cars all told to handle
the troops Never before since the
days of the civil war has Brandon
seen such sights, such glistening of
steel and brass and guns, and heard
| the rattle of the Scabbard and the
side arms.
Shortly before O'Clock the sound
of the whistle of a locomotive was
heard in the distance. 1t was the
special. All Brandon knew. Within
few minutes the guardsmen had
left the cars, formed a double guard
about the lone negro and started the
march to Brandon Just a mile away.
The six companies marched im TOURS
with the prisoner in the center of
the line and a guard about him that
would have completely hidden the
negro had it not been for his height
Will Mack stands feet 1 inch with
out his shoes. Command after com
mand was given by the officers. The
sand was wet and heavy land the sum
was sending aeat to the earth through
hight clouds. Not breeze was blow
ing.
| NEGRO BADLY FRIGHTENED.
There was no beating of drums, no
sound of bugles; just the rhythmic
| tread of the soldiers. On to Brandon
they marched and swerved with the
negro in their midst and on and over
the very road, the Jackson road, by
which Sherman entered Brandon
when the town was practically de
stroyed.
When the troops arrived Brandon
was out to meet them. People stood
on galleries, housetops, vehicles and
occupied every available space in the
courthouse square where view Nigh
be obtained. Reaching the edge of
town the soldiers turned, just as Sher
man did, and marched down the Jack
| TOD Il, Cod
beautiful marble monument erected
to the Confederate dead, and into
the courthouse yard.
the lid of his hat pulled down over
his eyes. He was as pale as 1T is pos
sible for a copper-colored negro to
get. Two of the SOLDIERS had hold of
him and the others were on all sides,
eight deep, marching and keeping
step, with bayonets glistening In the
weak rays of the sum that managed
to peep Through the clouds now. and
then. Brandon was proud of the spec
tacle, and a spectacle it was. And
the soldiers seemed proud, too.
But VIII Mack could not and did
not enjoy the glamor OF uniforms and
musketry. He was the saddest look
ing creature ON earth. 1T was evil
dent that Mack was scared to death.
AS the soldiers came some of the peo-
pie cheered and laughed and yelled.
Others sneered and jeered and called
out, There he is And there he
The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1909-06-24
COURTROOM CLEARED.

COURTROOM CLEARED.
Will Mack sat in the courtroom
there was a deputy on every side
1t was nearly $3.50 o'clock when
Judge Byrd asked for order in the
court. ''Stand UP Will Mack" said
the judge. where's the defend ent?''
And them the indictment was read.
Mack was not guilty, he said. The
court asked the negro if he had any
attorney. He said that he had not
The prisoners voice could scarcely
be heard 1t was hardly above a whiI
per. Mack was asked if he wanted
to talk to any one, and he said that
he did. He asked for j. D.. Burgess
Burgess went behind the court railing
and the negro said something to him,
asking him for help. "You know I
was always a good boy about the
farm, and hard working" Mack
pleaded, "and you know
Don't want you now" replied Bur
CESS, as he went away and the crowd
laughed and the bailiffs raped for
order.
Them the Judge announced that he
would appoint H. l.. McCaskill as
counsel for the defense. Mr.. Nc
Caskin explained very briefly that he
had to catch the o'clock train for
Gulfport. After a moments hesita-
ton Judge Byrd said that he would
ask C. w. Girdlestone, Jackson at
torney, to act. MIR. Girdlestone ac-
cepted. While the attorney was
consulting with his newly found clil
emit, Mack having stated that he want
ed several witnesses called, the judge
asked the sheriff to clear the court
room, explaining that he was taking
this action because several women
would be on the stand, and evidence
would be brought out that was not
best for a large assemblage to hear.
The room had been filled to every
bit of available space outside the rail-
ing.
No one but the court attendants
and newspaper men were allowed to
remain
THE VICTIM TELLS STORY.
The first witness was Mamie Myers
herself She identified the negro, and
told of meeting him in the road on
the morning of the crime In a child
ish way she told of the attack and
of her screams and of how the negro
finally checking her, and then str1k-
ing her over the head with revolver.
He had used the gum first to brighten
the child. Mamie said she had been
to the store of her grandfather. Co
ing along a lonely road she met the
negro whom she had often seen be-
fore. The girl had been left for dead.
Mack told Deputy Owen that he
thought surely she must be dead. j.
w. Moore, the girls grandfather, a
stonekeeper at Lodebar, next told OF
having heard the agonizing screams
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-06
EARLY MORNING FIRE.
Barn on Wade Farm Destroyed Loss
About $7OO-PartiaIly Insured.

The barr on the farm known as the
Jeanette Wade farm, located on the
Burns road about four miles from the
city. proper, owned by Mrs. Isabelle
J. Murray and occupied by Warren
Hail. was destroyed by fire at about .
O'Clock Friday morning, together with
one horse, two moving machines. some
hay and other contents. The fire was
not communicated to the other build
ings.
The fire was due to the explosion of
a kerosese lantern which Mr.. Hall had
carried with him upon the haymoW
while feeding the live stock. It is said
that the flame fiared up, breaking the
globe, and the fire was in this way
communicated to the hay. Mr.. Hall
was able by quick work to get the COWS
out Of the barn but the fire spread so
rapidly that it was impossible to save
the horse.
The estimated loss on account of the
FIRE is about 500, with $500 insurance
On the barn and $3.50 on its contents,
both of which risks are carried in the
Charles e. Downing agency in this
city