The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-01-14
NIGHT RIDERS ARE GUILTY
SIX TO BE HANGED. AND TWO
GET TWENTY YEARS.
Friday, February 10th is Date Set for
Execution-Appeal
Taken.

ASAA
to six convicted night riders, twenty
years Imprisonment for two and an
emphatic denial for new trial Is the
mandate of Judge Jones in SEN
tence handed down here shortly
after noon to-day.
Friday, February 10, 1909, is the
date set for the execution.
Sentenced to death: Garrett John
son, Samuel Applewhite, It'd Burton,
Roy Ransom, Arthur Cloar, Fred
Pinion.
Twenty years imprisonment: Bud
Morris, Bob Huffman.
Court convened early today to hear
the argument for new trial. Coun-
sci for the defense introduced several
witnesses to substantiate the various
grounds of their motion. Judge Jones
listened attentive1y to the testimony.
The question Of the competency OF
the juror, Dahnke, was withdrawn
by counsel for the defendants.
Judges Scathing Words.
The court said it was firmly of the
opinion that all evidence introduced
at the trial was competent. Judge
Jones continued:
Il said some time ago to the
grand jury that it was sad, sad day
when these men left their quiet
homes; that their wives had not
taken them around the neck and
pleaded with them for God Al
mighty's sake to stop and not band
themselves together for such unholy
acts; that the evidence in this case
is bristing with perjury, and the jury
has returned into this court verdict
against Bud Morris and Bob Huff
man of murder in the second degree
and which must stand.
"The jury has also returned YER
dict in the first degree against six OF
these defendants and in view Of the
m. 1ner in which the life of Quentin
Rankin was taken can see no miti-
eating circumstances in this crime.
It was not done in the heat of pas
sion, and has none of the elements of
mitigating circumstances, and that
part of the verdict will be disre-
|garded."
Given Twenty Years.
After moments breathless 81
lence, the court said:
"Bud Morris, you will stand up.
cit is the opinion that you be in
carcerated in the penitentfary for
twenty years and be deprived of your
rights of franchise"
Bob Huffman next received the
same sentence.
Judge Jones, after a pause, con-
tinued:
Garrett johnson, you have been
tried on a charge of murder in the
first degree. A motion for a new trial
is overruled by the court. It is con-
sidered and the judgment Of the
court is that you will be remanded
to Jail until Friday, the 18th day of
February, 1909, when you will, by
the sheriff of this county, be hung by
the neck until you are dead, and may
God Almighty have mercy on your
soul"
The same judgment was pronounc-
ed on the remaining five defendants,
convicted of first degree murder.
Counsel for defendants asked for
q writ of error and gave notice OF an
appeal to the State supreme court.
Perfect silence prevailed in the
court room during the pronouncing
of the sentences. The defendants,
each in turn, arose, pale and worn;
and received the words of Judge
Jones.
The court then directed the sher-
iff to see that the defendants be
carefully looked after and q proper
puard he supplied,
Court then adjourned.
Grounds of Motion.
The motion for a new trial for the
eight night riders convicted of the
murder of Captain Rankin, at Wal
nut Log, was heard here to-day by
Judge Jones.
The defense attacked the compe:
tency of Jurors Mckinney and
Dahnke, asserting that they had ex-
pressed opinions as to the guilt OF
the parties on trial and that Dahnke
was resident of the State of Ken
lucky.
Witnesses were introduced tc
prove these facts. 1t was also their
claim that Juror Rosson, who was
ill, was thus incompetent to judge as
to the guilt or innocence of the &C
cused,
After having heard the testimony
of three witnesses introduced by the
l1eo-.1 =, &toir offorf fo nrouo that