Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-24
NEGRO HANGED NEAR
CORDELE FOR MURDER
OF FARMERS WIFE


over the fact that Johnson was killed in
a defensive fight by officers, rather than
at the hands of a mob.
The lynching occurred in Brooks
county. from ten 70 twenty miles
away. Naldostians and people OF
Lowndes were merely innocent bystand-
ers at the killing. The officers here,
while trying to be diplomatic with the
citizens OF Brooks who have been scour-
ing the swamps below here for the fugi-
tive. had told them TO go home and leave
the capturing of the negro to them.
Once or twice the officers plans were
upset by the possemen.
Yesterday Chief Dampier succeeded in
getting them to leave the matter with
him and the officers. At the same time
the chief began working through the
negroes with view to catching the run
away. Johnson took advantage of the
quiet night to come in last night and
go TO John Henry Bryant's house.
Bryant slipped out and came up town
TO notify the chief. In order to avoid
suspicion he met an officer and had
that officer to go with him to the city
hall as though he were under arrest
Chief Dampier, Officers II. Dampier,
Jacobs. Hodges and one or two others.
went to the house. The negro was in
n rear room, behind a dresser. with the
light out. A dingy lamp was burning
in the front room. Chief Dampier and
officer Dampier entered the house, the
chief taking the lamp and going toward
the rear room where the negro was hid
ing. waving the lamp inside Of the door
to throw the light to all parts OF the
room The negro rose up and fired at
Dampier with a shotgun. the load tear
ing off the officers collar and the pow
der blistering his neck and face.
Both officers opened fire when the ne
gro dropped his gun and began shoot
ing with pistol. A bulle twent through
Chief Dampier's right arm at the mus
Gle making a wound which paralyzed
his arm for the time being. Then the
light went out and the chief knocked
the negro down putting his foot on his
neck and holding him to prevent more
shooting. The negro. however, had al
ready received a fatal wound, as bull
let from the chiefs revolver went
through his heart while the duel was
in progress inside of the house. A large
crowd gathered and when the lamp was
lighted again 1t was found that the ne
gro was dead. He was taken by citi-
zens of Brooks county, tied to the back
of a Ford and carried TO Barney or
near there wnere IL Is Sdlu bIldl MS
body will be cremated.
The people of Valdosta are indignant
at the appearance OF a military COM
pany here to preserve the peace" when
there has not been the slightest infrac-
ton of the law. All of the crimes that
were committed and all of the lynch
ing that has been done were in an
other county. The lawful authorities
here apprehended the negro fugitive
and would have taken him alive II he
had not used his gun upon them.
A subscription list is being taken up
today TO reward Chief Dampier and
Omcer NJ Dampier with handsome gold
medals. A purse is also being raised
for John Henry Bryant as well as Tor
the negro family at which Mrs. Hamp-
ton Smith took refuge on the night OF
the crime. The negroes here have been
commended for the spirit
of helpfulness they have shown in try
ing TO arrest Sidney Johnson. Several
times the police have been notlhed OF
his whereabouts but the posse would
Brighten him away before the othcers
could do anything.
Barring the sensation which Thrill
ing duel between officers and des-
perado might cause, there is not
ripple upon the surface here today.