The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-11
Governor Harmon Makes a
Personal Investigation Of
Lynching At Newark
MAYOR ATHERTON MAY
Be SUSPENDED TODAY
Sheriff LInke Makes Statement Re-
garding His Interview With the
Govcrnor-Mayor Declares
He Did His Rest

Newark, O., July 10.-The unexpected
arrival of Governor Harmon this after
noon created CONSERVATION among the
city and council officials, who, 1t is said,
are threatened with impeachment as a
result of the lynching on Friday night.
Governor Harmon. Adjutant General
Charles C. Weybrecht. Secretary C. w.
Long and Lieutenant Benjamin Cham
berlain of the staff of the governor ar
rived at the county jail in an automo-
bile at 3:15 o'clock.
The governor asked to be taken over
the battered Jail and for 30 minutes he
and his staff examined the structure
-minutery. Sheriff William Linke explain
ing in detail every step of the action
of the mob.
The governor personally tested the
strength of iron bars, examined locks
and took frequent notes. The survey
over, he told Sheriff Linke to summon
Prosecuting Attorney Phil B. smyth and
Mayor Herbert Atherton. Upon their ar
rival the party held a conference lasting
one hour and 80 minutes.
The governor and party then left for
Columbus.
II will have to take time to consider
this matter more thoroughly, and any
comment l have to make will be de-
ferred and will be given from the cap
itol," said the governor.
Sheriff Linke and Mayor Atherton re-
luctantly discussed the meeting
Statement BY sheriff Linke
1.-THE governor questioned me why
did not stop the mob by firing upon 1t
If necessary said Linke II told him I
was inexperienced in proceedings of mobs
and did not realize the seriousness of the
situation untii after the door had been
battered down. told him looked out
and saw 800 men with guns facing me.
There were scores OF women and chill
dren In the jail courtyard. Had or
dered the men to fire into the yard the
slaughter would have been frightful, and
my family as well as myself and depu-
ties would have been murdered. He asked
me why 1 did not spirit the man away
In the afternoon. I told him I did not
realize the danger then. Mr.. Harmon
asked many other questions
Mayor Atherton said that the governor
questioned him closely relative to the
recent alleged non-enforcement of the
law and his failure to call for troops
when he learned the true situation.
Continuing. the mayor said:
"I told him I was enforcing the law
to the best of my ability and that after
] had addressed the mob. pleading with
them to disperse. went home and went
to bed and thought that the others would
do likewise"
Both officials told the governor that
despite the fact that they had faced the
mob at different times during the even
ing they failed to recognize single face
among the participants. Many people
believe that the hurried visit of the gov
ernor presaged his immediate suspension
of the sheriff and probably the mayor,
through impeachment proceedings.
Harmon VIII Take Action
Columbus, O., July 10.--'I will take ac-
ton in the morning. said Governor Har-
mon tonight after his return from New
ark.
He refused to say what the action would
be, but the governor left the inference
upon his hearers that Mr.. Atherton would
be suspended Monday on charges to be
fled by the governor under section 226
of the general code, which provides for
suspension of mayors by the governor
for 30 days, during which time they shall
have the right TO make their delenSe
against the charges.
II defense is not made within that
time. according to the code, or If the
charges are sustained, the suspension Is
then determined The governor can take
no action of hts own initiative against
Sheriff Linke He must walt for the
filing of charges against him by five cit
izens of Licking county before he can act
himself. When these petitions are filed,
ne the governor, he may proceed in the
same manner as established under prece-