The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-01
MEN ACCUSED OF ATTACKING EDITOR
 ID COME ID TRIAL
Absolutely No Hint Has Been Given as to What Defense Four Men
 Will Make

Tuscaloosa, November O.-(Special)-No hint as to what the defense plea will be of the four men, Wash Moody, Percy Williams, Olin Young and Prentiss Black well, who are to be tried in the criminal court here next Thursday on charge of assault with intent to murder in connec- ton with the alleged assault on Editor Edward Doty on October 20, has been given.
 The prominence of the men in question, together with the sensational nature of the case, has attracted attention all over the south, and as the date of the trial draws near local interest has increased to almost fever heat.
 Moody, who is young attorney, IS the son of Hon. Frank S. Moody, presi- dent of the First National bank of Tus- caloosa, and a brother of Cashier Frank M. Moody of the same institution, While Blackwell and Williams were both well Known, Blackwell being advertising manager and Williams business manager of the News up until the time of the as- sault. Young was serving in the capacity of circulation manager.
 Moody Blackwell and Williams were stockholders in the News Publishing com pany, and it is stated that their desire to secure control of the corporation and oust Editor Doty was what led up to the assault, which resulted in the editor be- ing beaten and choked into insensibility, and necessitated his having to spend sev- eral days in local hospital.
 The assauls occurred shortly before noon on Saturday, Octobr 20, when Moody and Williams entered the office of Editor Doty and demanded that he sign enough additional stock certificates to give them a controlling interest. When Doty re- fuse to do this, it is alleged, they beat him and choked him into insensibility in their efforts to force him to sign the papers. He was discovered shortly after wards by police officers lying on the floor In an unconscious condition with Will Hams and Moody throwing water in his face.
 A physician was called and Mir. Doty removed to the Druid City infirmary, where he recovered consciousness, and during the evening gave out a, signed statement, in which he accused Williams and Moody with beating and choking him, and Moody with threatening his life. Young, in this statement, was charged with preventing him from leaving the building by blocking the doorway.
 The four men were arrested by Sheriff F. M. Watts shortly after the attack on warrants charging assault with in- tent to murder. and their bond placed at $500 each They were later indicted by the Tuscaloosa county grand jury, and second indictment was returned against Moody charging abusive language and an additional bond of $100 required.
 Shortly after MT. Doty had recovered from the attack he purchased, through his attorney, all stock held by Messrs. Moody, Williams and Blackwell at 60 per cent of its par value Williams, Blackwell and Young soon afterward left the city and to date have not returned.
 The accused men have no witnesses, except sthemselves,t while tlres prosecution will have more than half a dozen. De- velopments of a sensational character are expected by some at the trial.