davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

and without any knowledge of the
effect of his plea. Apparently, the
boy did not even understand. when
he changed his plea from mot gull
ty' to "guilty," that by so doing he
waived jury trial and placed himself
whcr" the court had no alternative
in sentencing him to death.
No matter what the circumstances
may have been, and no matter how
the case may now be argued. this
was not justice. Every man is en-
titled to counsel when on trial for
his life. If he has no lawyer the
court must name one for him. If
the lawyer SO named withdraws from
the case and no other can be Sc
lcctcd Immediately, then the simple
mandates OF common Justice require
that the case be postponed to Il later
term of court. No intelligent, cdu-
Gated man. unframed in the law. is
capable Of conducting his defense
against skilled attorneys: How can
moro be expected Of negro boy?
II may be that the lapse of mcm-
DRY which the lawyer in the case
attributes to Judge IIundlcy is
properly chargcablc against himself.
Judge 1lun;llcy'S statement as given
to this newspaper, makes it plain
that as he recalls the facts. the
young Negro was represented by
counsel aud acted on advice Of coun-
sci in changing his plea from mot
guilty to "Guilty.' But the very
conflict between tho court and the
lawyer adds TO the argument against
an immediate execution. Both can
not he right; it is essential tn JUS
ticc 10 ascertain which is wrong
That will take time. And mean
while, the courts are powcrlcss to
intervene. Tho Negro entered no
exceptions to any ruling of the court
did not flo notice Of appeal and, to-
day, has no ground on which ho
could ask the supreme court of ap-
pcalS of Virginia to grant him Il new
trial. Executive clcmcncy must be
exercised ii the Negroes life is to
be spared until the justice Of his
trial can be determined
IT Is not the policy Of The News
Leader to appeal in the public name
against tho judgment Of our courts.
In timos>of public excitement, when
great Influences were being brought
to bear upon the governor, we have
always taken the view that as the
exercise Of clcmCncy was n prcrOga-
tive and Il trust, it should be left
the governor. who presumably had
all the facts before him. In this in
stance, we arc led TO make an en-
c"Dtion to tho rule because Of the
most unusual facts in the casec and.
still more, because there is direct
and very important conflict of tcsti-
mony between the judge and The
awyer who was supposed to repre-
sent the Negro. No harm can pos
siblv be done by staying the cXecu-
ton. Grave danger of great injus
ticc is certainly haZardci If the boy
is allowed to go to the electric chair
on Thursday. In the name Of that
Justice which none chcrishcs more
than he. We appeal to Governor
Stuart 20 stay execution until the
facts in the case can be established
beyond any possible question. -
Richmond. Va, News-l.eadcr, Aug.
IS, 1917.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

Va. Theological Seminary and Col
iogc. was in the city last week, the
guest OF DR.. y. \. Calvin.
Mrs. George IIarSton, of dOI So.
Main St. left the city Saturday, for
Rosclic, \. j., TO be at the bedside
of her daughter. Mrs. Hattie Woody,
who is very sick.
Mrs. y. NJ. b. Hodge and Mrs. NJ.
*. Page, attended the State Sunday
school and b. Y. p. u. Convention
that met at Fredericksburg, Va.
They report a grand session.
Rev. NJ. y. Elliot who has been in
the city for some time. will leave
this week for Chicago, Ill, whore no
intends to make his future home.
Mr.. Peter London, an aged citi-
zen of Almagro, died last Wclncs-
day. Funeral services were held
Sunday evening. conducted by Rev.
w. Harrison.
Dr. ;. a. Moses, Rev. w. p. Terry
and Rcv, \. I. Johnson, witnessed
the baptizing OF thee Gilncld Baptist
Church, Witt, Va. last Sunday. 1t
was the largest baptizing in the his
tory of the church. At $3.50 p. NJ.
helpful sermon
DR.. S. Il. Bullock has opucd an
up-to-datc dental parlor in tho
Southern Aid Building. DR.. Bullock
is Il graduate of Howard University,
Dental School. He says his aim is
to satisfy. no this end he plans to
have tho best nnd most modern i'm
PIGMENTS.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
TIL. CASE or BARRETT.

On the information thus far made
public. the execution Of Aubrey Bar
rett on Thursday next would i'm
pugn the justice OF Virginia courts.
We do not know whether the
crime for which the 17-year-old Ne
gro boy stands sentenced to death
was murder or manslaughter. That
question for the moment, may be
Jeff out Of account.
The important and compelling
act Is that the attorney who was
opposed to represent tho boy has
tated publicly and in print that he
withdrew from tho case when the
boy was arraigned. This means that
an ignorant Negro OF II vas put on
trial for his life without counsel
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

hS ~. NI. ~. avn NoNllaay oShook
ran a large picnic excursion, Friday,
August 24tA, to James Park. 1t
was quite n success, and large
number attended. All reported Il
grand time.
The *. Of p. Lodge ran Il picnic
excursion to James Park, Tenn.
DR.. G. II. Johnson, Mr.. Loman,
and Hon. II. T.. Clay, left for Fred
2rickSburg, Va. last week, to at
tend the State Sunday School Con-
vcntion.
Miss a. NJ. Smith went to Wynan-
dotc. Va, to attend a Basket Meet
ing, Sunday.
Mrs. Dr.. Johnson. Supt Of the
Cradle Roll Department Of the s. s.
OF the Lee st. Baptist Church. will
have Il Grade day exercises Scptcm-
her end. Everybody is invited to
attend.
Mr.. s. C. Jenkins is planning to
give n musical recital for the bcnc-
fit Of the Lee st. Baptist Choir.
Little Miss Kittic Franklin. No.
9i3 Lille ST., is on the sick list this
week. An early recovery is hoped
for.
Miss Mary Penn returned home
this week from Sugar Grove, Va,
where she had been visiting her Sis
ter. T.ottic Madison.
Do, L. n,.;,> f,.,
TO Bluff City. to look after some
plumbing work.
Rev. w. NJ. w. Hill preached a
noble sermon Sunday morning, Doc
tor johnson being absent. so he filed
the pulpit stand for the day.
Mrs. Kittic Johnson. and Mrs.
Condic Rawlcy. returned home from
Richm ond, Va, where they went to
attend the Golden Jubilee Of the I.
o. Of ST Lukcs. They reported one
Of the grandest meetings ever held
in Richmond. Va.
Mr.. I.andon Clay and Miss Marion
Miller were happily married Tues
day night. August 2Sth, in the pas
tors study of the Lee st. Baptist
Church. by Rev. w. NJ. w. Hill. Mr..
Clay is the youngest son Of Mrs.
Francis Clay Miller, and also the
brother of Hon. n. r. Clay. Miss
Miller was the attractive young
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Miller, of this city. We wish for
them both success and much happi-
ness in this life. They will reside
in North Bristol for n while.
The Business League Glcc Club
sang at Wcavers Chapel Thursday
night, August 23rd, to large audi
ence, and every one seemed to have
enjoyed the singing to the highest.
G.. b. B.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Austrian Officials Alarmed.

Alarni has gripped official circles IT,
vienna as result of the unbrokcn
series Of italian victories.
Emperor Charles has gone to tina
front to try in person to stem the re.
treat Of the Austro,IImgarians, said
despatch from Geneva.
The AustroI!ung arian command on
the southwestern front Is being reor.
ganiZed. 1t is reported that German
officers arc being sent there to stiffen
the morale Of the Austro- Hungarian
troops.
Reinforccmcnts that were to have
been used against tho Russo Rumanian
army in Moldavia are being rushed tr
the IsonZO front to face the Italians
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
MAKING ARMY GAS MASKS
Contract For 1.O74 900 to Ward Of
German Poison Attacks.

The Hero Manufacturing company
Of Philadelphia, has been awarded a
contract for lo7I,000 gas masks fol
the United States government.
They will 81 used to equip the men
of The national army.
The contract calls fof an cxpondi
tnre OF 81 500 900. and it is understood
that the government will furnish the
materials.
Another contract for making power
marking machines fop marking cloth.
Ing at the cantonm"nts IS being Gem
pleted, as well as one for lci0nqto., g
and cover caps for shells, according to
A. NJ. Kennedy, secretary and treas.
urer Of the company.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Shoots Himself After Crash.

Miss Florence Hughes, OF New
Brighton, Pa, was killed and Howard
Beck. OF Aspinwall, Pa, and Miss Ma.
bel Spencer, Of Slippery Rock, Pa.
severely injured when their motor CIT
struck treo while running Mt a nigh
rate Of speed at Conneaut Lake, neal
Meadvillc. Pa. Walter WEIGH, OF Slip
perry Rock. fourth member OF the party
Ia said to have drawn a revolver and
shot himself re Is in serious con.
dition with bullet wound in the neck.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Soldiers Back From France.

Fourteen American soldiers who
were a pnrt Of the first expcdi.
tionary forco sent to France are
In a hospital at Hoboken, N. J. TIL"
hospital authorities said none OF the
men had bccn wounded, but were suf
fering from ailments which necessi.
tated their return to this country.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
DANVII.TIE MOTIFS.

On account OF the Illness OF the
Agent, the Planet has failed to
reach its readers for the past two
weeks. We regret very much to have
copies.
DR.. II. C. Woods, President of tho
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

this would be done and had so in
formed the judge. | was deeply inn
pressed with the position of the
court and saw at once that the
Judge was very reluctant to assume
the responsibility Of passing upon
the life of the boy, and can say
without fear of successful contra
diction that so far as my observation
went, the Judge did not i'm any way
attempt to influence the boy in his
plea, but fully explained his. rights
to have jury. After MIR. Lancas-
ter had advised the course to be
pursued, it seems that the boy hest
tatcd and then Mr.. Lancaster init
mated to the Court that he could
do nothing more, and he saw no use
OF his appearing further I'M the case.
The boy then withdrew his plea of
not guilty and put in the plea of
"Euilty" and asked to be tried by
the court. TO which request |, as
wcalth's attorney. consent
cd. Evidence was then introduced
OF practically the same nature as is
above narrated. In addition. there
was introduced on the part Of the
Commonwealth, evidence as to the
age of the boy. and this evidence
disclosed the fact that he was not
less than sixteen years of age, nor
more than seventeen.
Court Found Both Guilty of First
Degree Murder.
: No argument was then made,
'cithcr against or for the prisoner,
but the whole matter was taken in
to consideration by the court. and
the court. In the exercise of It's duty
found tho prisoner guilty OF murder
in the first degree, and sentenced
him to pay the death penalty III
both of these cases tho prisoners
testified in their own behalf.
DO these proceedings. as narrated
above. constitute Il 'travcsty" upon
Justice?
have had experience of more
, than thirty years In the courts OF
this Commonwealth as judge Of the
county court. fer five years, and
prosecuting attorney for twcnty-six
years, ana in all these years this Is
the first intimation that has ever
been made that my conduct in deal
ing with the criminal class has been
u "trayesty" upon justice.
Judge llundley needs no defense
at my hand. His long life. four
years Of which were spent in offer
fg his life in defense OF his coun-
try, and rs civilian in private ana
public life. there is not stain left
lpon it. His high Christian char
actcr and his past record. we'll
known throughout this Common
wealth. is sufficient to shield him
against the insinuations and unjust
1ntimationS of those who wantonly
and rccklessly attempted to destroy
his good name, and this attempt is
made upon the testimony Of one
whose name is withhold If his as
sailants were tried in tho court Of
public opinion, the verdict would pc
guilty of attempted murder of the
reputation Of a just Judge"
In conclusion, do not desire or
intend these statements or facts to
be taken as opposing the exercise
of executive clcmoncy towards the
hoy prisoner. have heretofore ex-
pressed to the Governor my opinion.
\. ID. WATKINS.
commemorative Attorney Pro TEN.
Farmvillc, Va, August OF.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Inter~ed German Escapes.

Sigfricd s meek, an Int rne1 Germ n
at the Hot Springs. N. c., camp. forty
mil as north of Ashevillc, escaped. Ht
is the first to escape ut Hot Strings.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

attorney in the case,
who comes to the defense of Judge
uundlcy, follows:
TO the Editor Of the Times Dispatch:
Sir,-It is with great surprise, and
some Indignation that l have read
in the columns of your paper the
comments, made upon the trial of
the Barretts for the murder of Will
liam II. Roach, in the County of
Charlotte. These comments carry
limitations and insinuations that re-
fleet seriously upon the aiministra-
ton Of justice by the Circuit Court
Of the County of Charlotte. If the
intimation intended be true, it would
have been far better that the muir
dcrers of Roach had been summarily
dealt with by the mob that first had
them in charge. But if untrue. the
spirit of the mob has simply been
transferred from the people of Char
lotto to others who are using the
newspapers of the country to de-
Stroy the respect for the administra-
ton of justice in this Common
wealth. | do not mean to indicate
that these comments have been made
with the intcntion to do injustice,
but to condemn the judge of Il court
and the prosecuting attorney upon
statements made by one whose name
is suppressed is, to say the least,
unfair
\ bricf narrative Of the facts
should suffice to satisfy those good
citizens Of the Commonwealth who
eel that there has been Il "travcsty'
upon justice.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
GRANTS .TilIRTY-DAE RESPITE
TO NEGRO.
Governor to Consider Case of Au-
brcy Barrett, Sentenced to
Die Tomorrow.
FATHER WILL PAY PENALTY.
Counsel Asserts Killing of Farmer
Roach Was i'm Sclf-Dcfensc.
IRichmond Timcs-Dispatch, Aug

ltichmond Times Dispatch, Aug.
20, 1910
Governor Stuart yesterday granite
Il respite Of thirty days to Aubrey
Barrett, the Scvcntccn-ycar-old Ne
gro boy under sentence of execution
at the State Pcnitcntiary tomorrow
morning for the murder of w. r.
Roach. in Charlotte County. Albert
Barrett. the father. will die at the
appointed time, no appeal having
been made for clcmcncy on his ac-
count
The case Of the Barrett boy was
brought to the attention Of Cover
nor Stuart last week by State Sen
ator Walter T.. Addison. of Lynch
burg. who told the Governor that
h" had been informed that this Ne
gro, not yet seventeen. had been
tried before Judge George l.. Humid
ley in the Circuit Court of Charlotte
County without jury and without
counsel for the defense; that he had
been induced to change his plea
from not guilty to guilty, and, after
but the bricfcst Of hearings. had
been Immediately sentenced to cx-
ccution.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

Your subscription to the Planet
is dae. Have yea paid itf II not why
notf
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Negroes Had Been Stealing whoa,
From RoaCh'S Field.

r FROM koaCnS fIclu.
On the 10th Of July, 1917, w. r.
Roach, OF Charlotc County, suspect
cd that his wheat field had been
robbed: went with a nciShbor. Mr..
Collins, TO the premises Of the Bar
retts, and there discovered proof of
he theft, which was admitted. Tho
older Barrett then attempted to adj
ust tho matter in order to prevent
II prosecution. This Roach declined
to do, having previously discovered
/ he same person guilty of like Of
enscs, and had forgiven him; Roach
then sent Collins to secure 4 war
rant Of arrest. In a short time, Col
| ms returned, and found no one
where he had left them. lmme-
diately he gave the alarm, and after
n short time the dead body Of Roach
was found in the woods near where
he was last seen alive. An exami-
nation Of the body disclosed that he
was struck upon the back of the
head with. some heavy instrument,
which caused the breaking Of the
skull, and the brains to oozc there
from. On the front OF the head was
another wound inflicted by an in
strumcnt which clcaved the bone
just above the right eye, pcnctrat-
ing tho braip. Three either wounds
were found upon the top Of the
head, inflicted longthwisc. clcaving
tho skull in two and onc-haIf to
three inches in each case, and pene-
tratmg the brain. In the meantime,
father and son had disappeared, and
suspicion pointed to them as the per-
~ .t,sDf <,,r
days they were apprchenicd in the
County Of Campbell and brought
back to Charlotte.
No comment Is needed upon the
conduct Of the good citizens of Char
lottc and Campbell, other than the
high commentator for their for
bearance ana respect for thtriaw in
that they did not take the law In
their own hands, but turned the
prisoners over to the courts Of the
Commonwealth.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
BRISTOL. TENN.-VA. NOTES.

The A. NJ. E. Zion Sunday School
ran a large picnic excursion, Friday,
August 24th, to James Park. 1t
was quite success, and large
number attended. All reported Il
grand time.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01
Son Went to Assistance of His
Father With Stick.


On the 26th Of July. the Circuit
Court Of Charlotte convened for the
trial OF the Barretts. The grand
jury returned Il true bill. The pris-
oners were brought into court, anu
without objection were arraigncd
and pleaded mot guilty" Mr.. Will
liam Lancaster, of Farmville, il law
yer OF long experience. who for many
years was Commonwealth attorney
OF the county OF Cumberland, repro
scented the prisoners. Through
counsel, the prisoners elected to be
tried separately. The older Barrett
was tried first. The substance of
the evidence introduced by the Com
monwealth and not denied in any
material fact was about as follows:
When Collins left TO go for the
, warrant. the older Barrett under
took to adjust the trouble with
Roach. Failure in this. he attempt
ed to. escape. Roach laid hold of
him, and in holding him, they both
fell to The ground. The younger
Barrett had gone some forty or fifty
yards away. The older Barrett
called for his son to come and take
Roach off. The younger Barrett
took up large stick ana struck
Roach on the back Of the head.
Roach was stunned and partially fell
to the ground, but was able to give
exclamation of distress. The older
Barrett. in his own words, FINISHED
him. by striking him repeat eddy
with a rock. The body was then
taken to the place where it was
re. Il
ing with them 4 small amount of
money and the watch of the do
ceased. which they claim to have
found on the scene of the killing.
None OF the instruments, either
rocks or sticks, have ever been
found since.
behalf. and here | may say, that in
my own experience of nearly forty
years, in the courts of this Common
wealth, and after having heard a
number of confessions by persons
who had committed atrocious
crimes, I have never, with the ex-
ccption Of one, heard a confession
made with less appreciation Of the
enormity Of the crime, and with less
regret at its commission. The pris-
Sctlllth W DC ucSOlu OF all
sense of sorrow.
Says Boys Counsel Advised Him
TO Plead equity"
The case was then argued by Mr.
light, OF Campbell County, and my
self, representing the Common
wealth, and Nh. Lancaster repre-
scnting the prisoners. Instructions
were carefully drawn and given by
the court, which believe covered
the case. The jury. after short
time, returned their verdict Of guilty
OF murder in tho first degree.
In the meantime. a second jury
had been summoned for the trial Of
the boy. When he was brought into
curt. his attorney. Mr.. William Lam
aster, advised him to withdraw his
plea Of mot guilty" and plead
guilty" submitting to be tried by
the court. had fmtimation that
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

The X. of p. Lodge ran Il picnic
excursion to James Park, Tenn.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

DR.. G. II. johnson, Mr.. Loman
and Hon. II. t.. Clay, left for Fred.
2ricksburg, Va, last week, to at
tend the State Sunday School Con.
ycntion.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-01

Mrs. Dr.. Johnson. Supt. Of the
Cradle Roll Department Of the s. s.
OF the Lee ST. Baptist Church. will
have Il Grade day exercises Scptcm-
bcr End. Everybody is invited to
Il ttCnl
The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1917-09-29
THE MOVING PICTURES

At the Eureka Theatre on Sunday
evening, Sept. 80, Dustin Farnum
will appear on the screen in Ben Blair.
In enacting Ben Blair Dustin Farnum
has created another of his famous
western types, not the ordinary
broncho busting cowboy, but a sim
cere determined character with pur-
pose and accomplishment. This play
gives a wonderful contrast of the
glamor and duplicity of Broadway
and the plain, honest life of the
prairie.
A comic reel, "His Ivory Dome,"
precedes the above play.
On Friday evening, October 5.
Constance Collier will have the title
role in 1.-The Code of Marcia Gray"
Marcia Gray suddenly deprived of
her life of refinement and luxury by
the cowardice of her husband at a
crucial moment, she finds but n
solace-Orlando Castle-her former
sweetheart. and friend of her hus-
band. Marcia's code met a great
and unexpected test-not from the
usual triangle of two men and a
woman-but in what makes n of
the strong. human moments in a
charming production.
Following the pictures Friday, Oc-
tober 5, the first monthly dance to
be given regularly in the future will
take place.
Commencing Sunday evening, Sep
TENDER 80. the picture show will
start at 7:30 o'clock.
The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1917-09-29
Fitting Up Fine Offices

The Eureka-C roesus Mining Com
pany. owning the Connolly, and the
Peerless Mining Company the Cali
fornia mines in California Gulch on
Prospect mountain, are evidently
planning extensive operations here.
The two companies this week rented
the Eureka County Bank building on
Main street and are now engaged in
thoroughly overhauling and renova-
ting the premises. The woodwork
inside is being painted a pure white.
the walls and ceiling will also be done
over in light colors. and the front of
the building is to be painted white.
When the new concrete sidewalk to
be laid in front of the building is
completed. these offices will surely
be the most complete and comfort
able of any in this section of the State,
j. K. Anderson, treasurer of both
companies, arranged for the building
and is supervising the fitting up OF
the Offices.
The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1917-09-29

Sheriff James Mackey is in receipt
of the following order providing for
the arrest of all slackers, sent out by
Adjutant General Maurice j. Sulli-
van:
Your patriotic cooperation is re-
quested in seeing that no one of draft
age evaies registration; the draft
age means those who had attained
the age of 81 years and who had not
attained the age of 81 years on or
before June 5. 1917.
To accomplish this, all deputy
sheriffs. ~constables, policemen and
other peace officers in your county
should be instructed by you that all
male persons of the designated ages
must exhibit their registration cer-
tificate when called upon by any
police officer to do so. This is the
ruling of the President.
If any arrests r made, the ar
resting officer should Immediately
notify the United States District At
torney. Reno. Nevada.
The notification to officers referred
to in paragraph Q hereof should be
accomplished by delivering a copy of
this letter.