The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-22
Daenzllg


 had 'sined Temple He said that on the slnday night previous To that on which the murder occurred he was about to ponnce upon another man ot Temples congregation, who closely re- sembled him, and that he would have done so had not Perry who was in hiding across the street. rushed out from the place where he was concealed and prevented his making the mis- take.
 It sas essential to lay hands at once on the nstigator or the murder. Ac- cordingly wired to one of my opera tives nau-ed Harbaugh to proceed to Dallas at once and keep Perry under continual survoillanee I also tele sraphed to Sheriff cabel that the ne- gro aad cut his throat and was dying. requesting him to ask the newspapers to bring out special edition announce ing the facts at once. This was for the purpose of letting Perry believe that the negro would not be able to give evidence against him. and so in- duning him to remain in Dallas.
 The extra edition was issued as soon as possible. John Perry tthe white man) obtained one of the first num- bers. He at once left his office and started for his lodgings, which were about a mile away, stopping at every saloon en route and taking a drink.
 Two hours after sending the first message 1 telegraphed to sheriff Ca bel inforr,inE him that the negro would recover. | asked him to treat the message confidentially and to ar rest Perry he was then to meet me at a small station near Dallas
 The programme was carried out We met and arrived in Dallas together. along with the wounded negro. who was con- veyed on the same train. The man was taken to the jail and placed on a cot in the corridor to have his wound treat ed and dressed. While the doctor was engaged upon this work the white John Perry, who. from his cell, could plainly see all that was going on became SO onraged that he attempted to kill hin- self hy putting his head against the steel bars of his cage. The prisoner had al- most succeeded in dashing out his brains before he was prevented
 owing to the high standing of Perry the inil was filled with citizens on fNe next day. many of them being friends of Temple. and leading citizens. Tele- grams began to pour in from all parts of the state. rendering the prisoner all sorts of aidt financial and otherwise. An able lawyer volunteered to defend tho prisoner. and society ladies sent him del- icacies of various kinds.
 The prisoner had offered in extenuation for his attempt to commit suicide the plea that he had felt intolerably humili- ated by being accused of the murder of his partner. He declared that he was in- nocent and would be eXonorated in court. Unfortunately there appeared to be every likelihood that Perry spoke the truth, since the main evidence against him was that of a negro. and q black mans tes- timony requires to be strongly substan- tiated in the south before it can con- vince the mind of the average white jury man.
 The colored prisoner continued to in- prove, and Perry, who had seriously iu- Jured himself. was also on the hign ruad to recovery when young woman sent him a choice luncheon. in which was a. cut glass plate containing delicaeies. While John Perry was eating this lunch. the guard being at the fpr end of the cell, be suddSlly struck the plate upon the steel floor. breaking 1t to pieces. Hc picked up large, triangular shaped piecs Of glass. with edges as sharp as that of razor. and plunged it into his throat at the same time giving the piece of glass an extra twist which severed the ireular vein, causing death in a few minutes
 The colored man pleaded guilty at the trial and was sentenced to a life term in the state prison.
 The murder occurred on n Sunday. I arrived in Dallas on the following Wednesday,, made my investigations. To- cated and arrested Perry the negro. caused the arrest of the white Perry. within 10 days after he had set out, after having travelled nearly 1000 miles,
 Copyright 1914. by International Press
 Bureau.)
 Next week "A Fall from Grace''