davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

mond, the little girl, said to one of
her brothers: Mamma said he was
six aud he aint but five" The baby
was referring to one Of the ages of
the children, spoken of by the mother,
During the early part of her testi-
mony, the BABY w.s brought into the
court room by negro nurse.
What Esper Told Tom CARROT.
The state offered the testimony of
Sheriff I. c CARROT, who is said to
have been the first man Esper met
after the shooting on Dec. 9th, as a
rebuttal to what had gone before.
Mr.. McBee questioned for the state.
"Mr. CARROT state just what Es-
per did and said on that night after
the shooting occurred"
We'll, he came to the Jail that
night and came upstairs where / was.
He told me that he had killed or tried
to kill Knox, He said that didn't
know whether he had killed him or
not.
81 came on up to the court house
with him. ="
what time was that?'
"About II o'clock"
"0n the way up here he stated that
Knox had ruined his family. | asked
him if Knox had pistol and he said
that he did not. He said that he told
Knox that he wanted him to take his
wife and children and support them?
that he (Esper) was through with
them. Knox denied this statement.
Esper then told him that he had the
proof in his pocket.
'He said that he then lost his head
and began shooting.
81 asked him if he shot Knox in
self-defense and he said that he did
not"
This was the closing testimony of
evidence introduced by either side in
the trial yesterday
Sensation Sprung With Letter.
The sensation Of the entire trial
was revealed here Monday afternoon
with the introduction of a letter in
tercepted by Charles L. Esper and
supposed to have been written by Jas.
Knox to the wife of the defendant.
The letter was brought into the
case only after series of legal OBJ
jections on the part of the prosecu-
tion and attempts were made to enter
it into the proceedings several hours
before it really was made matter of
record. 1t was skillfully worked into
the trial as an evidence of cause for
Esper calling up E. l. Gossom on the
of Dec. 27, admitted BY this
witness for the state.
Various courses were pursued dur
ng the preliminary stages to connect
t with different instances and to iden-
'ify the handwriting of the author of
t, Miss Rosalyn Knox on the stand
turing the morning was not sure, she
estified, that it was her fathers
handwriting. K
1t was first identified by Mrs. Es-
yer; later by Cbas. Fsner
The letter is written on sheet of
he business stationery evidently used {
" the Jefferson Standard Life Insur- |
ince Co., Of which Mr.. Knox was an
ssociate, it was brought out by the
efense. It IS dated on Christmas We 2
nd is written from Memphis: {
The missive in part is as follows; s
My dearest sweetheart;
"Fous dear letter received this
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13
PAGE NOMINATED

WASHINGTON, Feb. l2-Thomas
W. Page, of Virginia, has been nomi.
mated to become a member of the Tn.
ited States tariff Beard,
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

The following is full account Of
the trial proceedings since Esper was
put on the stand in his own behalf
yesterday afternoon:
Charles l., Esper, who shot and kill
ed James X. Knox in Greenwood, two
days after he had intercepted a let
ter supposed to have been written to
his wife, and delivered at her home on
Christmas Day, and whose counsel is
pleading self-defense and the "un-
written law for his freedom, that
his tlye children might not suffer the
hardshlps that will result from their
fathers sentence at the hands of
twelve men of Leflore county, enter
ed the court room this morning after
the jurymen had assembled in the
box, to spend the last day of the long
trial in wait for the action Of the
court regarding the future before him.
Esper entered from a rear door of
the courtroom. Behind him came
Deputy Sheriff Ed Crippen. As Es-
per came in the door, he walked
seemingly straight out from the door,
IN which he entered. He was then in
a position facing the jurymen, just
assembled in their box for their final
days grind, Rosamond, the five-year
old little daughter Of Esper, ran out in
his arms. The man picked her up
and kissed her. She smiled happily
and fondly put her tender little arms
around her fathers neck and kissed
him vigorously
" Wilmington Makes Lengthy Appeal. /
Attorney W. NJ. Wilmington ad- |
dressed the jury for the defense at
the opening of court today. Mr.. !
Wilmington talked at length on the |
instructions to the jury. He went |
over Mr. McBee's speech delivered
last night and thrashed it out in de-
tail, answering and affirming at all
times the impressions he desired to be
made to the jury in favor of the de-
fense.
Mr.. Wilmington was characteristic
IN his discourse this morning and at
times he was in the jury box, with
his hand on one of its members knees
and enthusiastically and firmly argu-
ing his points. He called the Jury
men by names and in the first part of
mis- talk was unusually impressive and
made masterful and successful eff
Fort in directing and holding their at
tention.
Mr. Wilmington told of Mrs. Esper
Knox. He spoke of the
telephone calls Mrs. Esper had testi
ned to and the boldness of,them. He
said that he had no doubt but what
Esper would have shot Knox then and
there had he caught him in another
place. The counsel for the defense
asked what would other men have
done on a similar occasion.
He came back to the "money-men-
tion" and asked; "Will a man give in
exchange the soul Of his wife for
The facts, he said, show that this
did not happen,
Mr.. Wilmington labored on the tes-
timony by the state witnesses regard
ing the gun in the hand d-bag and the
accounting for it there. He said that
he could not understand just how it
was that a man would pack his gun
rs the first article in his suitcase
putting it in the bottom of it. He
also brought in other facts with ref
srence to state witnesses in this in
stance.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

morning and ! was surely glad to hear
from you. Had been looking for a
letter for several days. And was
afraid you would not be able to get
back to Greenwood and that would
not get a chance to see you. But
when saw your letter and found it
was mailed in Greenwood, was GER
tainly glad, because l want to see
you as much as you want to see me.
"And unless / am detained by
trip over in Arkansas for few days
! will be in Greenwood Wednesday or
Thursday afternoon. Can't yet say
what day exactly. But surely do hope
that you will be there by yourself.
II will know tomorrow about the
trip to Arkansas and then will let
you know. If | do go over there, it
will be the last part of the week be-
fore can get down to Greenwood.
Wish you would write me tomor-
row as soon as you get this, telling
me if you will be by yourself or with
any of the folks.
with my very best love, from,
IS. H."
Defense Uses 1t Effectively.
The defense in their fight for the
freedom of Esper used the letter to
great advantage. In Mr.. Witty's
speech last night, he stated before
the jury that this letter was brought
into the trial only after strong pro-
test by the state He took the let
ter to pieces, laying his argument on
one or two strong points contained
therein and then coupled these with
convinsive and powerful arguments
before the jury.
Mr.. Witty was very appealing
throughout his discourse for the saw
ing of the lives of the five little child
rem.
They have already been made
motherless, gentlemen and now you
are asked to make them fatherless.
These unknowing ,unprotect-
ed, little children, innocent of their
mothers shame who would have that
belt hanging over them throughout
heir life, their only memory of a
.ather being one who died convicted
You are not dealing with the
lie of this miserable man, but the
i've little children. They will feel the
'erdlct Of your decision all the days
i their lives. Go where they may;
spire what they might, your verdict
viii follow them throughout the days
f their lives"
MIR. McBee's Strong Address.
opening the argument for the state
ist night at 7;30 o'clock, Attorney
: T. McBee made very strong adj
ress before the jury, most of which
eiated back to his one request that
hey folio wthe law in its course. Fol-
wv it gentlemen just as you swors
the stand here before you were ac-
epted as jurors in this case, when
asked you the question: "Will YOU
IKE for the law in this case, what is
known as the unwritten
w or will you follow the instruct
ms of the court?"
Mr' McBee brought out that Esper
d not seek to say in his testimony
at he had not killed Knox. But he
'oSe OF the justifability of il. He
Continued on Last Pagel
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

He stated that he was not only
pleading for the life and liberty of
Charley Esper when he makes this
plea to the jury but for the secur-
lty of every home in Leflore county
and the state of Mississippi "For
the homes of these young men who
are going to cross the seas to defend
their country and the wife and chill
dren that they leave behind them"
When Esper came home at Christ
mas to spend this happy season with
his family at this time when there
should be peace and good will toward
all men" he had been working hard
and had now returned to his home on
this occasion made happy by the fact
that as asd provided 0 Christmas for
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13
CLASSMATES IN
KHAKI HONORED
BY GRADUATES
Miss Charlotte keesler Praises
Stand of Jack Wilson and
RObt. Mcbride.
SUPT. SAUNDERS ALSO
LAUDS G. II. S. OFFICERS
Banquet Ends by Singing Of
Star Spangled Banner" D."
By RAY ELLIOTT, Is.

Jack wilson and Robert Mcbride,
tSo private IN Battery c, now going
through the grind az Camp Beaure-
gard 90 IL themselves 10 play their
par, in defeating the subjects sent
o.. BY sre high mogul-murderer Of
kaser,ard, and VINO would have grad
mated from the GreeHw'a High School
Sais year, we're verbally honored by
their classmates assembled t1Eeth.
er at the Reimsn House Friday night
for the annual bsHque. Il the seniors,
wheH Miss Charlotte Keeslsr, who,
herself. has two brothers serving as
officers in the war, paid Z beautiful
tribute 70 them and the stand they
took at their very young age-Ieay-
ing books, friends, home aad all--for
the flag.
1t was a beautiful remembrance
and followed as Il was By the singing
Of 'Thc Star Spangied Banner" sery-
ed a truly PATRIOTS purpose in the
gathering last night and impressed
upon every member Of the class Which
leaves the old school this year what
was before them.
Many G. II. S. OfReers Serving.
supt C. E. Saunders Of the city
schools, by special invitation, was
present and he made a short but very
interesting toast to the classes Of the
past and Of the future. sir. Saun-
ders spoke very highly and in a some
what feeling Of kin to the boys who
were now serving as officers and in
the ranks for Old Glory. Most Of the
members of the local artillery organ.
ization are former G. H. S. students.
Practically all of them have receiv-
ed their education under Supt Saun-
ders' career here as the head Of the
local schools. One could not help but
note the pride in the speakers heart, |
which swelled with grief at the
thought Of the lads having to leave |
all behind for this cause, now seemed |
glad that they were men and able to |
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

The kaiser's iron fist could lick the
strikers but II can't dent the allies.
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13

Continued on Last Psgsl
'7FsS'rs''' 7s'ffs-s s~-li.'-T,s-' ,-tTvyy<,-y I'M
The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-02-13
REP. MEETING
IS CALLED OFF

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 12.-Just before
the hour of the meeting of the Re-
publican leaders committee this after
noon the leaders stated that they
would call an adjournment until to-
morrow to give time for further ef-
forts to reach compromise in the
Craftsmanship.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
HERBERT BECAME A COLONEL

Major Emerich, on my retirement, would
major ard his lieutenants in Company
X correspondingly promoted, 1 requested
that my case be expedited in order that
the promotion of these officers should be
fastened. Great was my qualification
when I received in few days a letter
from Major Emerich, stating that he mad
learned of my letter to the brigade COM
mander and also that papers had just
gone in for the retirement of Colonel
Boyston on account of his wound at
Salem Church in 1868, and that there
upon he, Captain Nall and the other Of
ficers OF Company X entitled to promo
ton on my retirement, after consulta-
ton, had requested Colonel King. COM
tirement papers until Colonel Roystons
case had been acted on, and until !
should be promoted to be full colonel.
These officers all agreed on this step
when they knew L would never be over
them again. And so it was that, after
Colonel Royston had been retired and
/ had been confirmed as colonel, then
and not Until then, Major Emerich was
made lieutenant colonel Captain Nall
major and the other officers of Company
X eorrespondingly promoted. Major
Emerich, in his letter to me, every line
of it breathing affection said that they
all felt it their duty to 5efe, heir own
promotion until | shobid gat the rank
n Vhian 7 W
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
Over Crowder,s Head

IF any one thinks the dinners we are
having at the Southern club during our
campaign Tor Birmingham college are
dull, just because they are given to pro-
mote a UNCONVENTIONAL college, they are
mighty badly mistaken. said Alex Mont
gomery, president of the Realtors.
Just take this for a sample of bit
of humor pulled at the one on Wednes-
day; DR.. James A. Duncan told a story
mighty effectively. 1t struck Arthur
Crowder. the chairman, all in a heap.
When the eloquent preacher sat down,
Arthur said: Doctor. where did you get
that stotry% With a merry twinkle and
with extreme courtesy he replied: Well,
Mr. Chairman, l got that out Of a col
lection Vt wonderful literature, called
the Bible 1t was too much for The
crowd
"One brother said: If we don't raise
the 100000, we will have done some good
if we teach Arthur Crowder little
about the good book.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27

From the Mobile Register.
TN letter to Mr.. ]. o. Bailey, adju-
tant of Camp Garrett. U. C. ", at
q Marion, Colonel Hilary Herbert Of
Washington, former Secretary of the
Navy, and for many years congressman
from Alabama, describes his recollection
of the Eighth Alabama and its gallant
fight at Salem Church, when it saved
Lees army in the battle of Chancellors-
vile. Colonel Herbert tells how 1t hap
pened that he got to be full colonel
after he was practically invaded from
the service on account of wounds:
Il am making this letter entirely TOO
long, but find myself loath to stop talk
ing to old comrades who are SO dear to
my heart. But it would not be right to
close the letter, which is in large part to
my old friends of Company K, without
an acknowledgment that that it was
to the officers of their company, together
with Major Emerich of Mobile I was in
debted. on my retirement in the fall of
1864, for one of the most highly priced
and magnanimous acts of friendship |
ever knew Of. The surgeons in charge
of me at the hospital were sending on,
through our brigade headquarters, their
recommendation that I should be placed
wound received at the Wilderness and,
with their certificate, / sent a letter to
the brigade commander saying that, as
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
JANE EYRE WAS IMMCR,A

From this Kansas City Star.
9NNAUL WEST, widely known scenario
~ writer. said recently that there
= was entirely too much screening of
famous novels and plays Taking Mr..
Vests objections as a whole, it would
appear that the better the novel, the
worse the extracted film drama; it's a
distressing and disillusioning experience
Mr.. West seems to think that the aver
age movie fan" with ultra sophisticated
theories as to what comprises a good
story, would cxclaim, upon going to the
public library and running over some
of the old timers that used to give him
such a thrill" standard" authors, at
that-"What junk. What piffle!'
Mr. West had occasion to contemplate
the screening of Jane Eyre" for in
stance His remarks, contributed to the
New York Sun, on the firm possibilities
of Charlotte Bronte's world famous
novel, are illuminating.
II had read it years ago and remem-
bered it fairly clearly" he writes 1.-THE
heroine was a prosecuted, lovable thing;
the hero a suffering, noble gentleman.
To be sure, with wife living he tried
to marry the heroine bigamously. but
the circumstances, as / recall them, JUS
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
Raid on Zeebrugge
A Brilliant Exploit

mai ORE complete details of the
GVA British raid on Zeebrugge in
dicate that it was a brilliant exploit
Carried out in manner to uphold the
glorious traditions of the British
navy. Berlin's report minimizes the
success of this daring undertaking,
but even if nothing more had been
accomplished than an assault on a
position deemed impregnable by the
Germans, it would have been an
achievement worthy of the highest
praise.
With comparatively small losses,
the British invaded the submarine
bases CT the astonished Germans and
landed storming parties. But for a
change in the wind, which cleared
away the smoke bank and disclosed
the British ships to the enemy, the
result at Ostend might have been
equally as successful as they were at
Zeebrugge 1t was certainly not due
to any lack OF courage and enterprise
on the part of the British forces who
attacked Ostend.
Considerable damage was done to
the mole at Zeebrugge, to German
batteries, war materials and shipping.
Better still, the ship channel, through
which many submarine has been
sent forth to sink allied and neutral
vessels, was blocked by ships loaded
with cement, which were sunk across
the channel. 1t is said that the Ger
mans will be compelled to use the
Ostend route for reaching the North
sea, until the obstruction at Lee-
brugge can be cleared away and this
will enable the British fleet to OPP
crate against them with more ease.
The fact that Kaiser Wilhelm
rushed to Zeebrugge as soon as news
of the raid reached him proves that
it was not the failure Berlin claims
it to have been.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27

! II IBERTY DAY was widely OBJ
Ia served. Patriotic fervor was
manifested in every section Of the
country and a fresh impetus was
given to the Third Liberty Loan cam
paign, which was the object Of the
Presidents proclamation dedicating
a special day to the cause Of liberty.
While treasury officials reported
last night only s2,os5, 99o,2o sub
scriptions, when the days pledges are
all tabulated the total will be largely
increased.
The campaign has a week longer to
run and the three billion dollars
sought will surely be raised; not only
Iso, but there is good promise OF it
being we'll oversubscribed
1t is recalled that when the Second
Liberty Loan campaign was three
fourths over only $1,199, 100000 in
subscriptions had been reported Of
ficially and that more than SO, AGO.
0O0,0 900 in pledges rolled in during
the last week.
The work of canvassing for the
Third Liberty Loan will continue in
full swing in Alabama and in all the
other states. Birmingham has already
| far exceeded its quota, but we must
| keep up the good work with undated
vigor until May A. Chairman Coffin
has set his figures at ten million dol
liars and he will not be disappointed.
There are thousands of people here
who can well afford to increase their
subscriptions and many of them will
do so. If some citizens there be who
have been overlooked by the canvass
ers they must not wait further to be
solicited
Birmingham has a we'll established
habit of going over the top in all
patriotic campaigns. 1t should make
new high record in the Third Liberty
| Loan.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
TO BUILD UP A REEF HERD


Tn the Farm and Freside. writer
says:
.If YOU have herd of good breed
ing cows you have good dividend
nayer in the future. To assemble a
good herd of breeding cows is by no
means a small task. There are two
very important things to consider
TYNE and uniformity of type-when
building up herd of breeding COWS.
"If YOU can get your herd recog-
nized as producing cattle of a certain
desirable type and then turn out only
that type, you will be able to secure
better prices on the average than II
YOU have a few of many kinds to Of
fer
TT is by no means necessary that
your cattle be the best in the world
TO make you famous You will do well
If you succeed in creating a reputa-
ton for always having in your herd
tilick-fleshed cattle with size, sun
stance, and quality.
The best practice in building up
herd is to purchase few COWS OF
hcifers from an old established breed
er Of good reputation. whose herd has
been noted for years as having pro-
duced animals of the best type ane
| quality. 1t is much better TO inves
money in a few first-class cows thar
in double the number of inferior one.
| AZ ahout tho same cost
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE
GeneraI ElIis, Birthday

My father. Gen. ]. F. Ellis of Orrville,
celebrated his eightieth birthday on sun
day last said ]. B. Ellis Of Selma.
The children and the grandchildren
made it great day for him. He is hale
and hearty. He represented his district
in the state senate during the last iegis-
lature. There was an effort made to get
MIN to run this time, but he was too
courteous 70 run against me. l am free
to confess that l believe he is the only
man who could beat me. He believes in
handing the honor down in the family.
II make as good one as he did L will
be satisfied, and | know the people will,
It's great to have such dad and am
thankful that having reached fourscore
he is in perfect health and has mind
as keen as youngster.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
Chauncey M. DepeW Is
Eighty -Four Years Young

m HAUNCEY NJ. DEPEW is 81
" years young. Time has dealt
lightly with the philosopher and wit,
who is still hale and hearty and bub-
bling over with optimism. "Until a
man is 5O,". the former senator told
a newspaper reporter, che hides his
age, lest people think he is played out;
but after he's 20 he brags about it.,
and that's the class I'm in. Most peo-
pie eat too much. They dig their
graves with their teeth" Mr.. Depew
also thinks that people nowadays wor-
ny too much.
Regarding the question of longevi-
ty and drink, Mr.. Depew neatly
avoided committing himself by tell
ing characteristic story. In 1886 he
attended dinner given in Paris to
the distinguished French chemist,
Chevreul,, on his one hundredth birth
day. Chevreul said 81 attribute my
long life to abstinence from alcohol
and tobacco and TO contented mind
Later Mr.. Depew met veteran OF
the Napoleonic wars who was 103
years old. He said: "The reason I've
lived SO long is because I've been
drunk every day since the battle Of
Waterloo"
Without going to either extreme,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
Company Present. Ambulance

In lieu of holding their usual conven-
tons in 1918, the combined agencies OF
the Mutual Life Insurance company oil
New York have presented an ambulance
to the government for use in France. =
stated Herbert J. Baum, one of the local
representatives, of that company,
I'VE have club composed Of producers
all over the country, and every man who
writes a certain amount of business each
year is given a trip to an annual con
vention sy the company. This matter
was taken up with the agents and every
one of them agreed to forego this pleas
ure this year, and let the amount OF
money that would be expended on hin,
in giving him the trip be applied to the
purchase of an ambulance which will bs
presented TO the gov@nment The ampu-
lance, fully equipped, cost in the neigh
borhood Of $4,000. and bears the inscrip
ton, Presented by the Mutual Life Field
Clubs.