The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-04
NEGRO ON STAND
IN OWN DEFENSE
DENIES HIS GUILT
Memphis Troops Preparing to
Depart From Savannah
Tuesday Or Wednesday for
Their Homes.
BY e. A. ROPER,
(Staff Representatives.

SAVANNAH. Tenn, May George
Allen, so, negro, on the witness stand
here today in his own defense, charged
with numbering Harry Allen, white
merchant, denied any participation or
any alleged conspiracy between Chesley
Graham and VIII Allen, a brother, in
committing the crime. He denied. on
direct examination, that he had visited
the Allen store on the night OF the mur-
der. This is contradictory to testimony
of Ernest and William Graham, young
egroes. in the first trial that they saw
two men, one of whom greatly res
embed George Allen.
viii Allen, also charged with first
degree murder, possibly will not take
the stand the attorney for the defense
intimated. The jury in the last two
cases was completed yesterday after
noon and evidence began. The case is
expected to get into the hands of the
jury Tuesday afternoon.
Memphis and Jackson troops are still
guarding the Jail and courthouse, al
though a demonstration against the two
Graham negroes after their acquttal
yesterday afternoon failed to materi-
alize. The majority of the citizens OF
Savannah apparently are in sympathy
with the verdict in this instance as
evidence showed they Ouths were COM
PEELED to stand guard at the scene OF
the crime. However, reports caused
plans to be made to carry the young
negroes away with the troops.
The two Graham brothers and Surl
Allen, Is, a stepson of George Allen
have agreed to accompany Lieut.. CLYDE
Thomas, of Jackson, to his farm Ches-
ley Graham and George and VIII Allen
if the latter two are convicted, will be
carried by the troops to jackson fol
safe keeping
Chesley Graham showed strong emo
ton as he verdict of the jury CON
demning him to death was read yes
terday. The fixing of the date of cleo
trocution of Graham will be made after
the trials of George and viii Allen have
been completed.
Judge n. r. Barham. of jackson
presiding in the trial, will pronounce
the dqath sentSsse and name the date
Evidence Tuesday morning in the cast
of the two Aliens was more or less
circumstantial but the state declared
it was confident a strong case had beer
made out against viii Allen.
The evidence of City Marshal Frank
Wilkinson, who handled the dogs ano
trailed the negroes, told the story OF
the pursuit which resulted in their ar
rest Late Monday Ernest and VIII
Graham, after having been freed by the
jury, retold their story as state wit
llNSoto dB dlliSb w III anu btOIBt AlltU
their testimony, that they saw vii
Allen and Chesley Graham strike the
victim was identical with that of theii
own trial. Attorneys for the defense
failed to shake their testimony
The troops here have been preparing
to leave late Tuesday in hopeful antici.
patton that the trial will have been com.
pleted by that time. However, it is
not certain such will be the case, be
cause the formalities of sentencing the
prisoners and fixing the date when they
will be electrocuted are expected tC
consume considerable time. Transporta
tion facilities out of Savannah aftel
2 o'clock are such that may require tn,
troops to remain until Wednesday. Sol
diers from Jackson will carry the ne
groes out.
Capt. A. c. Parker, of Memphis, regi
mental adjutant, has been called home
on account of the serious illness o
his son.