Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-04
THEIR TERMS ENDED.
Three Contempt Prisoners
Quit District Jail.
GOING BACK TO TENNESSEE
Well Treated in Prison, But Glad to
Get Out.
THREE STILL IN CUSTODY
Former Sheriff shipp and Two Com
panions Have Until January %
to Serve.
THREE STILL IN CUSTODY

Having served the terms of sentence
imposed upon them by the Supreme
Court of the United States. jeremiah
Gibson. Henry Padgett and William
Mayes were released from the United
States Jail here this morning at 8
o'clock. They went at once to the resi-
dence of Oliver Jenkins at 9O3 H street.
where they prepared to take the 10
o'clock train this evening for their
homes. They were incarcerated Novem-
Der Is for contempt Of court for failing
to prevent the lynching at Chattanooga.
Tenn, of Ed johnson, colored, under
sentence Of death on a charge of rape.
whose sentence had been stayed by
the Supreme Court. Each was given
sixty days, which was shortened by
ten days for good behavior. Each Of
the men were brought to Washington
at the expense of the government and
in thu. last lap toward their homes will
also travel at government expense.
All were up bright and early this
morning and ready for Warden Mckee
to announce to them that they were at
liberty to leave the prison. Capt. ]. F.
Shipp, former sheriff at Chattanooga.
and Luther Williams and Nick Nolan,
who were sentenced to ninety days
each at the time all were before the
highest tribunal in the land. hid them
farewell after the warden had an
nounced to them that they Were
privileged to leave as soon as they
cared. The three last named will re-
main in jail until January %.
Like Warden Mckee.
Since they have been incarcerated all
have formed firm friendships with War
den Mckee. who was described by them
this morning as "a warden who is emf
nently fair
When the three men were seen later
in the day all declared they were glad
they were going back to their home city.
Messrs. Padgett and Mayes are builders.
while Gibson lives on farm. All will
take up their work where they left off
to come to Washington.
Gibson is known to the others as Uncle
Jerry, and as they. talked Of the pleasure
they were experiencing in the knowledge
they were again free he calmly leaned
back in an easy chair and smoked a cob
pipe. content to interject sentence now
and then.
All are married and declared that they
are anxious to again get beneath the
roofs of their homes and to greet their
wives and children.
Met Many southerners.
Since they have been incarcerated they
have been in the room Immediately over
the entrance to the Jail and Warden Nc
Kee has done all in his power to make
their stay as easy as possible. All were
deeply chagrined to think that they had
to spend time in prison. but each ac-
copied the decision of the Supreme Court
with the best grace. They are intimate
friends and their enforced stay in prison
gave them an opportunity 10 meet many
southerners who reside in Washington
who called from time to time to sympa-
thize with them.
This morning. q number called on them
to wish them {. safe return to their
homes. and one sOutherner who resides
in Washington left. all three OF the Chat
tanoogans chiIned in, MY boy, whenever
you come to the sunny south don't fail
to see Chattanooga and be sure and let
us take you to the top of Lookout noun
tain