The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-21


Charles Goodwin, the negro who fred
ms pistol at rapidly retreating advsr-
sary Sunday evening and shot and
killed Mrs. George Harris. 6 popular
young married woman, was brought
back from Brandon today shortly after
noon by Sheriff Walter White of Ran
KIN county, and arraigned before Judge
Potter on the charge of murder.
'The court had previously appointed
tnree popular young attorneys at law
70 defend the negro, viz: Messrs. Jack
thompson, Lamar Easterling and Luth
er Manship, and Mr.. Thompson entsced
me FORMAL plea of mot guilty" In tn
prisoners behalf.
These attorneys will do the best ms
sible to convince the jury that their
cllent is not guilty of the charge of
murder, but they are defending him
with no particle of sympathy In his
cause. In fact they would every ono
like the best in the world to see his
neck broken, but will perform the din
tasteful duty imposed by the court TO-
the best Of their ability,
Inc attorneys for the defense waived
the special venire that might have been
demanded, as that would have de,aya,1
the trial OF the case till next term of
court. perhaps. and 1t was agreed with
District Attorney Mcneil that the trial
should be called next Friday morning,
IL VIII doubtless be concluded the Same
day. 7a1"o
Goodwin was seen at the Jail after his
arralgnment and talked freely. He was
tod that his crime was being charged to
his use of cocaine or dope, and replied
that he had never taken a dose of anv
thing of the kind In his life,
Asked If he was drunk he stated that
he had been drinking all day on sun
day and must have been drunk.
He also declared that he had no recol-
iectlon or having pistol that night and
knew nothing about firing a pistol though
the police took the smoking Smith &.
Wesson from his hand after the tragedy.
1t has been reported that the negro had
been beaten half to death and that he
had received several knife wounds at the
hands OF the mob that endeavored to take
him from the police Immediately after
his arrest, but he does not bear single
scratch or mark, save a slight break of
the skin above his left eye
Asked as to the cause of the Difficulty
between himself and the other hotel por-
ter the prisoner stated Robinson had
struck him fearful blow In the stom-
ach with beer bottle
Among the more attractive features of
the Taft Day parade IN this city on the
III ~ Jay VI NoNcnlDer Will be the maneu-
vering of the Taft Guards" a military
company numbering more than 50 bows.
ranging in age from 6 to IA years, and
averaging about 10 or 10.
The company is uniformed in drab, the
regulation pattern of the army, and pre-
sent very handsome appearance. They
have been drilling for two months, or
ever since It was known FOR certain that
the President Of the United States was
going to spend day and night In Jack
son, and are we'll up in tactics, marching
with great precision and maintaining a
military bearing that is most amusing, as
well as gratifying
The company was out drilling on the
capitol lawn this afternoon, in spite of
the rain, and their maneuverings were
enjoyed by most of the state officials
and several others, among them the mayor
of the city and his wife, and his father
and mother, Mr.. and Mrs. Crowder of
Birmingham. Mayor Crowder's son, Ar
thur, Jr. and Bob" Thompson, Jr., are
the youngest members of the company,
and of course the observed of all OBJ
servers.
The officers of the Taft Guards" are
Wiley Potter, captain; Wilfred Cole. first
lieutenant; Joe Robinson. second lieuten-
ant; Ed Yerger. first sergeant; Tom
Sparks, second sergeant; Herbert Har-