The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-15
OF LAW

On the morning of Friday, June IS, Lorenzo Young, a negro
having the appearance OF a criminal, and suspected Of being a
thiet, drove an old horse, hitchcd to a buggy, to a store on Poplar
avenue and Mclean boulevard.
In the buggy were some chickens. a pumpgun and a high
powered pistol OF the latest and most improved model, The
chickens he was supposed to have stolen, and he may have stolen
the arms, but only the chickens were for sale.
There had been an epidemic of chicken thefts, and the mer-
chant, being an honest man, and suspecting the negro of being
a rogue, %telephoned to the police, and two officers went out to
arrest the negro and make an investigation to ascertain where he
got the chickens.
This merchant was not like a number Of men who arc sup
posed to be in legitimate business, but make a practice of pur-
chasing stolen property-and promote business by protecting the
c1ulprts' 1t is not good business to inquire too closely where
the goods come from. Curiosity drives away business, and goods
obtained in this manner may be purchased at a very low price.
Some OF them go so far as to pay a small price in goods for
stolen checks.
went into the store to telephone for the patrol wagon. The
negro made his way to his buggy and got his gun, viii the
intention OF killing the merchant who caused him the trouble.
lie shot the merchant; he shot one of the officers. Other officers
were dispatched TO the scene, and while attempting to get away
the negro shot another officer and killed Sergeant Brinkley.
There was talk of l%ynching. Sheriff Perry spirited the negro
out OF town. At two places quick attempts were made to organ
lEe mobs, and finally the negro was taken away from the officers
az Jackson Sheriff Perry got in communication with the officers
az Jackson, and the negro was taken across country to another
railroad and carried to Nashville for safe keeping.
Eventually the white heat of passion subsidized, and the
negro was brought back to Memphis, tried, convicted Monday
land sentenced to be electrocuted. He was tried in the regular
way. He had the benefit of counsel and a jury of twelve honest
linen.
We have set out somewhat in detail what transpired from
I'~ IL " NS VAl' III pluCl W SHDW lHd Tue law Is SulIl-
icient when given a chance,
1t is a wholesome thing to see a triumph Of the law. 1t
has a moral effect upon the community that cannot be estimated.
BY a strange coincidence there has been a capital conviction in
each OF the Shelby county crimipal courts within the past week.
The machinery of the law has worked smoothly, Justly, and the
proper result in each case has been obtained.
That one of the men convicted was a white man and the
tother a negro is not of consequence, The important thing is that
the law has been indicated.
q lew days ago we said something about the record that is
being made by Judges Richards and Harsh, Sheriff Perry and the
attorney-general's office. 1t is an enviable record.
We believe Shelby county has ~weathered a crisis. Some
men stay within the law because their path does not lead them
outside the law, and they never feel the effect of its restraint,
lOthers must have the fear of law instlled into their minds. We
are getting a curb on that class of men.
II every county III the state had officers such as those we
have mentioned there would be no l%ynching in Tennessee.
Whenever there is a lynching it isl the fault of the officers.
There has never been a l%ynching that could not have been
avoided, and in some of them the officers have contributed to
their success. That time, it is to be hoped, has passed, AT
least it has If the people will elect officials who may be depended
upon to do their sworn duty.
And, after all, the law is a tremendous influence. Lorenzo
Young, tried, convicted and electrocuted, will be a powerful
deterrent to others of his breed who otherwise would take nc
thought of the law.