Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-04
BAYONETS GUARD
BLACKS AS TRIAL At
CUMMING BEGINS
One Thousand People, From
Miles Around Gather in
Curious Throng Outside
Court House
ny ANGUS PERKERsoN,
Cstan correspondent.l
special Dispatch to The JouEnaD


CUMMING. Ca oct. 5.-Althoush
900 people have gathered here from the
countryside. Sheriff ". w Reid and Of
fcers Of the Fifth regiment are not ex-
pecting trouble over the trial Of the
six negroes charged with assault. The
town is crowded as never before in its
history. but the people who have gath
cred here are quiet and have given no
evidence OF violence. Many rumors are
flying about but they are regarded
merely as rumors Sheriff Reid said
this morning:
yesterday / did look for trouble, but
-oday I think everything viii pass of
quietly. II there is trouble. it Will
come from outside. 1 look for no at
tempt to be made in the court room
against the prisoners. II. is possible
that the crowd may become infiamed
outside and an attempt TO rush the
troops be made. but / expect no such
trouble as this
sheriff Reid had INFORMATION yester-
dav that hundreds Of pounds of am
munition had been shipped here from
Atlanta. This report led him TO ex-
pect Yesterday that the troops might
he attacked and an effort made TO
lynch the six negro prisoners, but no
evidence OF this smmunition has been
found and the, report is now discred-
tied.
WILL PUSH TRIAL.
Judge \. A. Morris. the trial judge.
will endeavor 70 complete today the
trial Of the six negroes. In addition
10 the session that was held this morn
ing, court will sit both this afternoon
and tonight, and he hopes at the con-
clusion OF the night hearing to have
disposed Of all the six cases. Whether
the negroes are all convicted or acquit-
ted. they will be removed from Cumming
for safe-keeping. II any one Of the six
was to fall into the hands Of the crowd
gathered here, il is admitted byl every
one acquainted with conditions that he
vouId be lynched Immediately
MAY KROCsE CROWDS
civil and military officials are afraid
that il al OF the six negroes are not
convicted and sentenced TO hang the
crowd will be inflamed to dangerous
point Charges against the negroes are
such that three at least cannot receive
more than prison sentences. while one
NAV probably be acquitted for lack Of
evidence
This fact will serve more than any
thing else 20 arouse the crowd that
has gathered here. and II is expected
that il trouble comes. il viii follow
instead of precede the trial. For this
reason the troops will continue guard
until after the trial has been completed
and will furnish protection to the ne
rroes after the trial IS ended as well
As during the time II continues
The Jury was chosen soon after the
court convened and the father of the
girl was the first witness. He merely
told OF how he had found his daughter
beaten and unconscious He said that
she vas on her way to visit relatives
where her mother had spent the day
when she was attacked
FAKIR DRAWS CROWDS.
A fakir. a vender Of cheap jewelry.
did more toward breaking up the crowds
around the court house. after the trial
was called. than all OF the militiamen.
lie appeared to have realized that it
would be a good day for his sales in
Cumming. for he placed his Temporary
stand some distance from the court
house.
With the announcement Of his bar
gains. the crowd rushed pell nell from
the court house to his location, where
they gathered 1000 strong. and listened
10 his wonderful stories.
COURT TAKES RECESS.
The court took recess shortly be-
fore noon for an hour. the officials.
troops. prisoners and crowd taking
their midday meal.
Owing TO the large crowd near the
court house IL required some time Tor
the court and troops to pass out Of the
square
The morning session was deVO-so
largely TO the testimony of two of TIE
prisoners that the negro. Ernest Knox
had confessed to the charge OF as
sault