Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1913-07-24
BOND MADE FOR
PRISON TRUSTEE
COL MONTGOMERY MAY BIZ TRIED
FcR miSFEASANcE, NOT FELONY.
Convicted President Of Trustees Will
Make Formal Application for Bail
STANDARDIZATION Of Yerger
Given In Detail

Jsekscn.-Col. W. A. Mont gomery,
penitsntiary trustee of the First District,
reached here from Edwards, where he re-
ceived notice that an indictment was
pending against him. Col. Montgomery
was accompanied to court by V. V. Mont
gousry, his nephew and law partner, In
order to ascertain the nature OF the
charge against him. The Indictment
which was turned into court charges
him with entering into an Illegal con.
tract in. connection with the automobile
transaction, out Of which the Indictment,
trial and conviction of his late colleague,
c. G.. Smith, grew. Col Montgomery
stated at the time Of the Smith trial,
following his testimony. in which he as
sumed responsibility for the closing Of
the deal. by telephone, TO the representa-
tives of the Baker Mcdowell Company,
that he would not be surprised II the
same grand jury should return an in
dietment against him also.
Col Montgomery appeared in court
with W. J. Groom, with his nephew and
number Of strong personal friends,
including Col r. J. Harding, Alex Vir-
den, Capt. .. ]. White and many others.
He personally addressed the presiding
Judge in open court and asked to be per-
mitted to make immediate bond, pend
ing formal arraignment, which request
wa. granted. He named Mr.. virden and
Col Harding as his sureties and the bond
was fixed at $4,000.
Directly after this formality was con-
cluded the grand jury filed into the
court room and turned in . batch Of
eight indictments, among which, as un-
derstood, was the joint indictment
against the three trustees collectively
for misfeasance in office.
While the Indictment returned against
Col. Montgomery individually, growing
out Of the automobile transaction,
charges felony, it is not certain, sc-
eording to District Attorney Howie,
whether the state will elect TO try him
on that charge or whether 1t will decide
20 take up the lesser charge Of misfea-
sanee and misnapagement, which Is not
considered to be in the felony class.
The penalty following conviction on
the general charge would be ss provided
for misdemeanors, or fine or imprison
ment, or both
II was stated that . formal applies
tiou for baa for Charles @. Smith wous
probably be made before judge denr
some time during the pending term !
: tated that Mr.. Smith Is not at al
In good shape physically, and that he I
predisposed to pulmonary trouble to suei
extent that close confinement in th'
county Jail pree~rts would be injurious
Just what disposition will be made oi
this motion is speculative, as Judge
Henry would not announce any eonclu
sion until the matter is placed before
him in due form.
The following figures which have been
submitted to Attorney General Collins
by Gov. Brewer, give in abstract the va
rious amounts which have been checked
up BY himself and his accountants as
chargeable to the defaications of former
Secreatry Yerger of ths penitentisry
board. As stated by the governor in his
communication, all the items stated in
the memorandum, except q few aggre-
eating a little over $1,000, represent
shortages in cotton seed sales, below the
actual amounts paid into the treasury
on that account during the period COW
- Tha stavrs ara.