The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-27
DID WILL BLACKMON DESERVE SENTENCE G|VENF0R KILLING? Former Employers Believe Negro Was Condemned to
 Death Unjustly WAITS EXECUTION
 IN THE COUNTY JAIL While in Prison He Killed Fellow Convict Who Had Attacked
 Him With a Pick

Standing within the shadow of the gall lows, with his life now despaired Of, except through the possibility of exeeu- tive consideration and clemency. Will Blackmon, who for 1S years worked for some of Birminghams most prominent men. has been condemned to die, ana agonizingly awaits his summons before the court to again have a definite date fixed upon which he must forfeit his Ire
 Blackmon is just g years old and came to this city when a mere boy-about eight years of age. After working stead fly and faithfully 13 years for we'll known professional and business men who yet bear witness to an unusually good rec ord, he was found drinking while on duty in the employ of the Louisville and Nashville railroad and was suspended 6O days. It was during this period of sus- pension that he got into his first trouble, resulting in his conviction of burglary and grand larceny and his punishment was fixed by the court at 10 years.
 After serving all but Il months of this sentence Blackmon killed John Henry Bailey in July, 1916, was convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hanged. Just 90 days prior to the staying of Bailey, the dead negro had unsuccessfully attempted the life Of Blackmon, striking him in the left side with pick, which penetrated and pune tured his left lung. After remaining in serious and doubtful condition for nearly three months, Blackmon recov- cred sufficiently to be about, and, ac- cording to his statement, was assigned work under his assailant Bailey
 Toward the close of one July day Bailey "ordered'' Blackmon 10 help him accom- plish certain work, and, not having in ished the task given him by Pit Boss w.. A. Brown, Blackmon refused to obey at that moment. Whereupon Bailey again attacked Blackmon with pick and BIackmon ran into a dark hole in the mines, lodging Bailey, and when Bailey passed Blackmons hiding place looking for him, Blackmon struck Bailey down with his pick, the injuries proving fatal. Bailey was also a convict serving a sen- tence.
 One of the men for whom Blackmon formerly worked was Captain C. w Austin, chief warden in the county jail, where Blackmon is now confined Captain Austin was free to say that Blackmon was unusually good and faithful and that his Knowledge of both the circumstances surrounding the murder of Bailey and of Black mons record prior to his trouble was such that he was confident the pun ishment was too severe and that Blackmon only struck Bailey down when he believed his own life to be i'll jeopardy.
 sIn fact" said Captain Austin, "the negro convict he killed was the very one who was nearly successful in an attempt upon Blackmon's life just short time before.''
 Another thing that speaks especial 1y well for Blackmon is the fact that there generally from two to five years.
 'I know I have been sentenced to folks will let me hang for killing a negro convict who was trying to kill me-" said Blaclmon with moistened eyes and sobs in his throat when seen at the jail. T was sorry for the wrong got into and was so happy when my sentence was nearly served, be- cause I was coming back and ask my white bosses to forgive me and help me up again, and I know they would have done it.''
 From the opinions expressed by Captain Austin and other former em- ployers of Blackmon, they confidently look for the governor to stay the ex- ecution of the death sentence and ex- tend the negro such consideration and clemency as circumstances may merit