The Tupelo journal., 1913-01-24
Captain Jack Smith
Declared Innocent.

When the rumor was heard on the
streets yesterday afternoon that no in
dictment had been found against Cap
tain Jack Smith, one of the most pop
ular and beloved conductors that has
seen service on the M. & O. Railroad,
interest ran high, and great crowds of
friends gathered in front of the court
house to await the confirmation of the
report, and when it was confirmed and
it was learned that he would soon walk
from the Jail a free mar with the
statement of the Grand Jury, who said
that he was not guilty of the charge
brought against him, there occurred a
scene which has never been witnessed
before in the history of the city of
Tuscaloosa. The friends of Captain
Jack, who have maintained that he was
innocent as a man could be, were so
overcome with joy that many broke
down and cried. A demonstra-
ton of friendship for Captain Jack,
was given that was as beautiful as was
the friendship of Damon and Phythias
of old, when Damon believed so in his
friend that he would suffer death rath-
err than lose faith in him, and so it
was. with Captain Jacks friends.
They believed him innocent, and they
were glad that time had proven it, and
tbot Tho uor1l mould Ioory no +Lo,, rod
known since he was first arrested,
that he would not be a party to mu rd-
err so good a man as was Mr.. McGill,
or any man as for that. Rather his
disposition is to bring sunshine into the
lives of those who he chances to meet,
as the many friends who thronged
around him as soon as he was a free
man to show how glad they were at
his complete vindication evidence.
Never has this reporter witnessed
such a feeling of friendship before as
was seer at the residence of Mr.. J. D.
Morrow last night, as old railroad COM
rades came in and threw their arms
around him to express their gratifica-
ton at his being declared an innocent
man.
When seen for a statement, Captain
Jack stated, that his first thought was
for Mrs. McGill, who has his deepest
sympathy and that he had no hard feel
ings against any of them, and that be
was simply an innocent man and felt
all the time that a full investigation
would show that he had no part in the
killing of Mr.. McGill. Captain Jack
stated that be hab been overwhelmed
with the friendship that had been
shown him, and that while it was a
deep sorrow to realize that he was in
Jail, charged with a crime for which he
was as innocent as any one could be,
but that his sorrow was greatly lessen
ed by the faith of his friends in his in
nocence and for their many acts of
that he weuld have tt get away early
this morning to see his little children
and dictated the following statement to
his many friends, who he will not be
able to see bsfore leaving:
II wish it was possible for me to find
words adequate to even partially X
press my gratitude to the friends who
have been so kind and thoughtful in the
greatest sorrow of my life-friends
from almost every section of the coun-
try; friends who have labored day and
night to establish my innocence.
This great trouble and humiliation
has been lessened and tempered by the
f%aithfulness of my friends.
II feel now as though it was almost
worth the price to know the real friends
it has brought to the front.
Il have never for one moment doubt
ed the result of a thorough investiga-
ton, knowing that | would be vindica-
ted.
"God bless you, one and ALL"
Captain Jack Smith was n of the
oldest conductors in service running on
this line of the M. & o., having served
here since the completion about fifteen
years ago, and a more popular conduct
or could not be found than he as this
incident has brought out. Letters were
received from parties he knew,
whose wives he had shown such kind
ness that they remembered him and
wrote expressing their faith in his in
nocence. He has a wife and SIX chill
dren and makes his home in Montgom-
cry. He is a native of Mississippi. and
has numerous friends Throughout that
state, who will learn with great joy
H. -14, 6 A. a.~o